Our Founders
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Mary Cooke & Helen Nakano
In 1992, Helen co-founded Mālama Mānoa with her friend Mary Cooke. Believing that the organization should reflect the rich mix of cultures in the valley, the two deliberately chose to lead together. While Mary focused on historic preservation, Helen championed inclusivity and accessibility. She strongly advocated for open membership with no dues, convinced that a community organization should welcome all. That principle has allowed Mālama Mānoa to grow into one of the largest and most enduring neighborhood groups in Hawai‘i. Friends and colleagues know Helen as practical, warm, and witty, with a quiet determination that guides others toward consensus and common good.
Helen’s contributions extend beyond Mālama Mānoa. She has been recognized by the YWCA of O‘ahu for her leadership and service, and she has played a key role in reviving hanafuda card games in Hawai‘i, passing on Japanese cultural traditions to younger generations. Those who know Helen value her thoughtfulness and approachability, and celebrate her as a leader who inspires trust and fosters connection. Her ongoing legacy is seen not only in the foundation of Mālama Mānoa but also in the generosity, cultural pride, and sense of belonging she continues to nurture throughout the community.
Helen Nakano’s dedication to community, education, and cultural preservation is most clearly demonstrated through her work as co-founder of Mālama Mānoa. Born to Japanese immigrant parents from Hiroshima, Helen grew up helping in her family’s store on King Street while attending Maryknoll School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Hawai‘i and later her master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She married George Nakano, a U.S. Air Force officer and attorney, and together they lived in Japan and the mainland before returning to Hawai‘i. Helen’s family settled in Mānoa in the late 1940s, where she came to deeply appreciate the diversity and spirit of the valley that continues to shape her lifelong commitment to community.
Mary Moragne Cooke (1936–2022) was a beloved advocate for historical preservation, Hawaiian culture, and education. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, she developed a deep connection to the heritage of Hawai‘i, which informed much of her life’s work.
Mary's passion for historical preservation was most vividly demonstrated through her work with her husband, Sam Cooke. Together, they restored Kuka‘o‘o Heiau and co-founded the Mānoa Heritage Center (MHC) in 1996, a cultural and educational institution dedicated to sharing the rich history of Mānoa Valley. Mary was also importantly the founder of our beloved organization Mālama Mānoa.
Those who knew Mary describe her as gracious, charming, and tenacious, with an unmistakable sparkle in her eye. She was as passionate about sharing her love for history as she was about the Hawaiian culture and community she cherished. Friends and colleagues recall her as a "force for good," whose kindness, warmth, and resilience left an indelible mark on Mānoa and beyond. Mary was also known for her humor and her storytelling, qualities that endeared her to all who had the fortune to work with her.
A member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and past President of the Garden Club of Honolulu, Mary’s leadership extended to multiple areas of public service, always driven by her desire to make a positive difference. Even after Sam’s passing, she carried on their shared legacy with grace, ensuring that their vision for Mālama Mānoa continued to thrive. As one colleague noted, Mary’s life embodied the spirit of aloha, and her legacy will be felt for generations to come. Not only for her significant contributions to Mālama Mānoa, but for her warmth, humility, and the lasting sense of aloha she instilled in those around her.