 Wayne Howard was born on September 27, 1934 in Gunter, Texas, and attended public schools in Arlington, Texas. After high school, Wayne entered the US Navy in 1951. His tour of duty took him to many places in the Pacific including Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, South and North Korea, and China. Wayne served as a machinist mate on board his ship and was separated from active duty in 1955 to serve in the inactive naval reserve before being discharged in 1959.
After Wayne was separated from the Navy, he worked at several different jobs in Texas, Oregon, and California, before returning to Texas where he went to work for Continental Baking Company, Wonder Bread, and Hostess Cup Cakes in 1956. Wayne worked part-time and returned to college majoring in Baking Science and Management from 1959 to 1962. In 1967, Wayne was asked by Continental Baking Company to move to Hawaii and manage the production department for Love's Bakery, a subsidiary of Continental Baking Company. During his time with Love's, Wayne was active in the community as a member of the Environmental Management Association. He served two years as Secretary of the Hawaii Banana Association and two years as its President. He started his own family bakery in 1977, Ono Cones of Hawaii making ice cream cones. He sold his successful, 31 year old company in 2008, and retired.
Wayne was asked to join the Elks in Kailua, Hawaii Lodge No. 2230 and did so on December 2, 1969. Wayne became active and started through the chairs to be elected Exalted Ruler of Kailua Elks Lodge No. 2230 in 1975. He remained active in Kailua for several years chairing several committees and was Chairman of the Trustees in 1984.
Wayne became active in Honolulu Elks Lodge No. 616 and transferred his membership to Honolulu in June, 1989. He served on several committees, including the Auditing Committee, one year as chairman. He, also, was elected to Treasurer, where he served two years. Wayne was elected to the Honolulu Lodge No. 616, Board of Trustees twice, serving a total of 8 years and its Chairman twice.
Wayne served the California-Hawaii Elks Association as Hawaii District Vice President in 1993-1994 and served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for two years in 1994-1996. Wayne has served as Hawaii District Leader for over 15 years and is an advisor from Hawaii to the Major Project Board. Wayne served on the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Board of Trustees for 6 years, the last year as Chairman.
In 1996, Wayne met and married his wife, Coleen, who is an Elk. They met at Hilo Lodge No. 759 and she was a Leading Knight at that time. She went on to serve Hilo as Exalted Ruler twice and became Hawaii District Vice President in 2000-2001 and District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Hawaii District in 2001-02. Wayne has two sons and one grandson. Coleen has a daughter, a son, two grandsons, and a granddaughter.
During his year as President, he will be promoting "Elks Live Aloha." He has the expectation that Elks will continue to live with Aloha in their daily lives and spreading Aloha throughout their communities.
“Elks Live Aloha” |
