Mel Billingsley, Hospitality Committee Chair

Mel is the current Hospitality Chairperson on the HSHA Board. Raised in rural Kauai, Mel, the third of six children, was encouraged by her parents to get involved in school and community services.  So it is no surprise that although Mel formerly served as President of HSHA in the early ‘90’s, she returned to serve to as the “aloha lady.”  Mel attended the University of Wyoming where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology.  She moved to British Columbia, Canada where she worked for 2 ½ years before continuing her studies in the masters degree at Portland State University.   After returning to British Columbia in 1981 to work for the Prince George School District, she met her husband, Walter. The Billingsleys moved to Oahu in 1985 where Mel was employed by Leeward District. She is currently employed by the Department of Education- Honolulu District Diagnostic Team. Walter and Mel have two sons and are also grandparents to a grandson, Jack, who lives too far away in North Dakota.  In addition to her HSHA activities, Mel serves on several committees at the Harris United Methodist Church including singing in their Chancel Choir and participating in a liturgical dance group that she formed called, “Angels in Motion.”  Mel enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, going to the beach, spending time with her family and going to Jazzercise.