Meet Elle Burger

friendsofkenlake
Oct 19
3 min read

This post was submitted by Elle Burger, 2025 candidate for the LCC board of directors

My name is Elle Burger, and I’m ready to announce my candidacy for the Ken Lake HOA Board. Over the years, I’ve seen how much can be accomplished when a community works together with mutual respect and a common purpose — and that’s the spirit I want to help strengthen on our board.

Experience in Leadership and Community Building

I’ve worked in nonprofit organizations for nearly a decade, serving in leadership roles that balance communication, sustainability, and community service.

As President of the Recycle Hawai‘i Board, I collaborated with local governments to promote sustainable living and responsible resource management across the islands. This role deepened my appreciation for environmental stewardship, long-term planning, and transparent governance — all values I believe are essential to maintaining Ken Lake’s health and beauty.

I also served as Communications Director for Hilo AYSO during a pivotal period for the organization. With only three remaining board members, I helped rebuild its volunteer network and organizational structure to better support youth soccer in Hilo. By improving internal systems, volunteer coordination, and outreach, we tripled community engagement and created a more rewarding experience for both players and volunteers.

That experience demonstrated how good communication, clear structure, and empowered volunteers can transform a community organization — lessons I bring to our HOA and our community.

A Vision for Ken Lake

If elected, I’ll focus on four key priorities:

Transparency and trust — Residents deserve clear access to board decisions and community planning. Agendas should be posted in advance with relevant background materials and resources. I’d also like to introduce a “change my mind” section, where board members can share how community input could influence their thinking on an issue.

Collaboration and civility — A supportive, curious board culture makes everything else possible. When we lead with respect and celebrate each other’s successes, we empower volunteers to do their best work. I’ll ensure our volunteers have both the tools and the authority they need to achieve their goals by establishing clear policies and outlining responsibilities.

Environmental care — Protecting the natural spaces that make Ken Lake and Kaiser Woods so special must remain a top priority. I’ll advocate for proactive planning that keeps our ecosystems healthy and resilient for the long term by keeping these issues at the top of our agendas.

Community connection — Strong neighborhoods thrive on shared experiences. I want to expand opportunities for neighbors to connect — from skill-sharing workshops and story features in the newsletter to pick up games and gatherings in our parks. Together, we can make participation more accessible, meaningful, and fun.

Working Together for a Stronger Ken Lake

Ken Lake is more than a neighborhood — we are a living community shaped by everyone who makes a home here. I believe in building bridges, listening carefully, and finding practical solutions that keep our shared spaces and relationships healthy.

I am eager to bring my experience in community leadership and communication to the HOA Board and to serve our neighbors with openness, integrity, and heart. There’s already a strong foundation here — and I’m excited to see how much we can achieve together.