History of Hale'iwa Main Street dba North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Haleʻiwa Main Street (HMS), doing business as the North Shore Chamber of Commerce (NSCOC), was established in January 1985 by a group of businesspeople, spearheaded by Charline Terukina. Initially called the Haleʻiwa-Waialua Business and Professional Association, the group held a broad mission “to enhance the betterment of the North Shore…” In 1988, the name changed to the North Shore Business Association, and a year later, to the Haleʻiwa Main Street Business Association to implement the Main Street Program.
Haleʻiwa’s designation as a Special District on May 1, 1984, was intended to perpetuate and enhance the rural character of the existing community by protecting historic buildings and ensuring that all new development would be compatible with the plantation-style architecture of the area. The creation of the Haleʻiwa Main Street Program in 1989 was closely linked with the Special District and made it possible for the organization to become eligible for funding through the State Historic Preservation Department, which administered the Main Street Program. Funding for the program began around 1990.
In January 1990, the articles of incorporation were amended to redefine the purpose as:
“…to engage in activities including, but not limited to, promotion, preservation, and restoration of the culture, history, and architecture of Haleʻiwa, Hawaiʻi; reduction of community deterioration and urban decay; elimination of the physical, economic, and social causes of community deterioration; facilitation of low-cost financial assistance and advice within the area; presentation, development, and beautification of Haleʻiwa by planting trees and vegetation in public areas; assisting municipal or private sectors in keeping Haleʻiwa clean and functional through planned growth and development.”
In August 1990, the name was changed simply to Haleʻiwa Main Street. Funding lapsed in 1995, and the organization continued on as an all-volunteer effort until 2004. During this period, Joe Lazar of Haleʻiwa Joe’s served as president for six years, carrying the major responsibility for the organization and sustaining it until Antya Miller and Kalani Fronda joined the Board of Directors and assumed leadership in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
In response to the Waimea rockfall of 2000 and the events of September 11, 2001, and the resulting economic downturn, community-wide meetings were organized to facilitate discussions on addressing the significant decrease in visitors. One concern that emerged was the perception that Haleʻiwa Main Street did not represent the entire community, even though businesses throughout the North Shore were members of the organization.
As a result, the DBA name was changed in July 2002 to the North Shore Community Chamber of Commerce, reflecting the organization's longstanding role as the de facto chamber for the region. The Board of Directors also believed that affiliating with the state Chamber would bring additional resources. Soon after, the name was simplified to “North Shore Chamber of Commerce.” The updated mission statement remained largely the same as the previous one, with the notable expansion of the service area to officially include the entire North Shore.
Haleʻiwa’s designation as a Special District on May 1, 1984, was intended to perpetuate and enhance the rural character of the existing community by protecting historic buildings and ensuring that all new development would be compatible with the plantation-style architecture of the area. The creation of the Haleʻiwa Main Street Program in 1989 was closely linked with the Special District and made it possible for the organization to become eligible for funding through the State Historic Preservation Department, which administered the Main Street Program. Funding for the program began around 1990.
In January 1990, the articles of incorporation were amended to redefine the purpose as:
“…to engage in activities including, but not limited to, promotion, preservation, and restoration of the culture, history, and architecture of Haleʻiwa, Hawaiʻi; reduction of community deterioration and urban decay; elimination of the physical, economic, and social causes of community deterioration; facilitation of low-cost financial assistance and advice within the area; presentation, development, and beautification of Haleʻiwa by planting trees and vegetation in public areas; assisting municipal or private sectors in keeping Haleʻiwa clean and functional through planned growth and development.”
In August 1990, the name was changed simply to Haleʻiwa Main Street. Funding lapsed in 1995, and the organization continued on as an all-volunteer effort until 2004. During this period, Joe Lazar of Haleʻiwa Joe’s served as president for six years, carrying the major responsibility for the organization and sustaining it until Antya Miller and Kalani Fronda joined the Board of Directors and assumed leadership in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
In response to the Waimea rockfall of 2000 and the events of September 11, 2001, and the resulting economic downturn, community-wide meetings were organized to facilitate discussions on addressing the significant decrease in visitors. One concern that emerged was the perception that Haleʻiwa Main Street did not represent the entire community, even though businesses throughout the North Shore were members of the organization.
As a result, the DBA name was changed in July 2002 to the North Shore Community Chamber of Commerce, reflecting the organization's longstanding role as the de facto chamber for the region. The Board of Directors also believed that affiliating with the state Chamber would bring additional resources. Soon after, the name was simplified to “North Shore Chamber of Commerce.” The updated mission statement remained largely the same as the previous one, with the notable expansion of the service area to officially include the entire North Shore.