About Us

VSA Arts of Hawai'i-Pacific Board of Directors

VSA arts of Hawai'i-Pacific Board of Directors is the leadership body of the organization whose primary goal is to foster opportunities for full inclusion and participating in the all the arts by youth and adults with disabilities, especially the unserved and underserved in Hawai‘i and the outer Pacific.

Board of Director Membership

Members are elected based of their knowledge and commitment to issues concerning people with disability and cultural access and the arts. The boards consists of a diverse group of individuals that reflect Pacific Island communities, including people with various disabilities, educators, community leaders, business and technology and media experts, as well as audience members/patrons and working artists/performers with disabilities.

Primary Functions

  • Provide a warm and welcoming forum to discuss arts and disability matters in Hawai'i and the Pacific. 
  • Promote and foster full inclusion of youth and adults with disabilities into the visual-, performing-, media, and literary-arts communities in Hawai'i and the Pacific. 
  • Assist in reviewing accessibility and full inclusion of art programs and services.
  • Make recommendations for funding, development and accessibility improvement.
  • Provide guidance and/or technical assistance regarding arts, full inclusion, access and disabilities.
  • Assist in identifying funding sources to implement inclusion and assess improvements.
  • Consult and review new and existing programs, policies and services related to arts and disabilities in Hawai‘i and the outer Pacific.
  • Assist in outreach to youth and adults in the community with disabilities.

All the board members are active in the areas of art, culture, business, education, employment and disability advocacy. As board members, they contribute on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis in giving guidance, direction, and direct program support and involvement.

VSA Arts of Hawaii-Pacific Board of Directors 2005-2010

Rev Dr. Richard Walenta, President

Mr. Isaac Lau, Vice President

Mr. Norrin Lau, Treasurer

Ms. Jill Laughlin, Secretary

Mr. Jim Mihalke, Member

Mr. Chin LeeBusiness Specialist