Produce leader gifts historic property to further strengthen ties in community for wider access, stewardship, and local agency

WAIALUA, OʻAHU — May 11, 2026 — Dole Food Company Hawaiʻi and the Waialua Community Association (WCA) today announced the gifting of historic Puuiki Park, a 9.5-acre oceanside property, to the WCA for ongoing community use and stewardship.

As a company-owned asset, long reserved for Dole employees and retirees of Dole and Waialua Sugar Company, Puuiki Park will now be owned and managed by the WCA, expanding access while preserving its legacy as a gathering place for recreation and connection. The beautifully scenic shoreline park includes pavilions, sports fields, camping areas, and a historic baseball diamond currently used by Waialua Little League, the oldest chartered Little League in Hawaiʻi.

This transition in ownership reflects the ongoing partnership and shared commitment between the organizations to maintaining Puuiki Park as a public space for the Waialua community while continuing to welcome Dole employees and retirees.

“At its heart, this is about sharing what has always been a special place,” said Dan Nellis, General Manager of Dole Hawaiʻi. “In Hawaiʻi, there’s a deep tradition of caring for the land and passing it forward for the benefit of the community. We’re proud to continue that legacy, seeing Puuiki Park under the stewardship of the Waialua Community Association.”

“We are deeply honored to accept the stewardship of Pu’uiki Beach Park on behalf of our community,” said Manu Anana, President of the Waialua Community Association. “For generations, places like this have brought people together, and that has always been at the heart of the Waialua Community Association’s mission.  We look forward to caring for this space, expanding access, and keeping it a place where families, keiki, and kūpuna can connect for years to come.”

Dole and the WCA look forward to ensuring the park remains a vibrant, well-cared-for resource that supports recreation, community connection, and the enduring heritage of Waialua.
 

About Dole Food Company

Dole Food Company, part of Dole plc, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education. For more information, please visit www.dole.com.


About Waialua Community Association

Founded in 1934, the Waialua Community Association (WCA) is the oldest community association in Hawaiʻi and a longstanding hub for community life on Oʻahuʻs North Shore.  The WCA provides programs, services, and shared facilities that support education, recreation, and social well-being for residents of all ages.  Building on a legacy of community stewardship and collaboration, the WCA is committed to caring for places like Puʻuiki Park to ensure they remain accessible, vibrant, and beneficial for generations to come.