Helping People… Changing Lives

For Client and Staff Health and Safety, the MEO Office will be closed to all in-person traffic except by appointment

Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at midnight, MEO will be closed to all in-person traffic to our facilities. However, staff will be available by phone, email or in-person by appointment ONLY.

Please stay home and email info@meoinc.org to discuss your individual needs and we will contact you.

If you do not have the ability to email us, to minimize your hold time, please contact the department you need assistance from directly and only contact the Administration office if you are not sure who to contact. We will do our best to respond before the end of business on the day that you call.

All MEO staff and clients are required to wear face masks at all times when when meeting in-person and when riding MEO vehicles.

QUICK LINKS

EVENTS & INFORMATION

More rental and mortgage assistance available

March 24, 2021

A Maui Economic Opportunity rental and mortgage assistance program targeting Maui County residents economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received an additional infusion of $900,000 from the county managed Community Development Block Grant fund. The additional funds bring the program’s total funding to nearly $1.8 million. The CDBG COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, administered by MEO, […]

Agricultural Micro Grants

March 22, 2021

More than 100 micro-farm grants awarded by MEO in Maui County funded program Maui County’s $2.5 million Agricultural Micro Grants Program, administered by Maui Economic Opportunity, purchased tractors, chippers and other supplies; put up fencing and sheds; and established an online presence for 105 small farms in the county. With the program winding to a […]

MEO’s Debbi Amaral named a Champions For Children

March 17, 2021

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Director of Early Childhood Services, Debbi Amaral, was chosen a Hawai`i Children’s Action Network Champions for Children for Early Learning as an individual. The Hawai`i Children’s Action Network will present 11 awards to individuals, businesses and agencies, “reflecting our vision of Hawaiʻi where all children are healthy, safe and ready to learn.” […]

Young entrepreneur makes donation to MEO

March 12, 2021

A 7 1/2 year old entrepreneur chose the Maui Economic Opportunity Head Start program to receive $150 from the proceeds of her handmade bracelet sales. “I wanted to help people,” said Mila Diaz of Wailuku. “It makes you feel good . . . because I am giving to other people, not me.” Her father, Aaron, […]

*MEO’s National Farmworker Jobs Program is accepting applications*

March 11, 2021

Maui Economic Opportunity’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), an educational, employment and training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, is accepting applications across Hawaii. NFJP is 100 percent federally funded and serves farmworkers who meet federal poverty income guidelines and selection criteria. Those who receive federal assistance, such as SNAP, TANF or SSI, […]

*MEO offers bus service to help with mail pickup in wake of Maunaloa Post Office closure*

March 9, 2021

The temporary closure of the Maunaloa Post Office prompted Maui Economic Opportunity to establish bus runs to help Molokai West End residents collect their mail from the Hoolehua Post Office. The U.S. Postal Service announced the temporary closure of the post office at 2 Maunaloa Road, Building 2, due to structural and vector control issues […]

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NEWS

Testimony from a parent of MEO Head Start

Testimony from a parent of MEO Head Start

Apr 15, 2021

Margaret Burrows-Nahoopii, who has a child enrolled in MEO Head Start, offers a heartfelt appreciation for the life-changing services the early-childhood program offers. "Without them, this Momma would be a struggling Momma, trying to do things on my own," she says in...

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MEO’s Debbi Amaral: A Champion For Children

MEO’s Debbi Amaral: A Champion For Children

Apr 8, 2021

Debbi Amaral, Maui Economic Opportunity’s director of Early Childhood Services, accepted her Champions for Children for Early Learning as an individual award in a virtual ceremony Wednesday, April 7. Amaral was one of 11 Champions for Children, presented by Hawai`i...

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FACEBOOK POSTS

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

2 days ago

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
Margaret Burrows-Nahoopii, who has a child enrolled in MEO Head Start, offers a heartfelt appreciation for the life-changing services the early-childhood program offers. "Without them, this Momma would be a struggling Momma, trying to do things on my own," she says in the video. Her story exemplifies MEO's goal of "Helping People. Changing Lives." ... See MoreSee Less

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

2 days ago

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
Maui Re-entry Hui,Please call MEO Transportation @ 877-7651 ... See MoreSee Less

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

5 days ago

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
The husband of Council Member and Maui Economic Opportunity Board Member Tasha Kama passed late last week.“Our thoughts are with Tasha and her ohana,” said Debbie Cabebe, MEO CEO. “We are saddened by the loss of her husband, David.”Tasha has served on the MEO board since March 2019 and was elected to the council Kahului residency seat in 2018.“Elected officials rely on the support and understanding of their spouses and families, so we also thank Mr. Kama for his public service and commitment to the Maui community,” said Mayor Michael Victorino on Monday, April 12. “Our prayers are with Tasha and her family during this difficult time.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

1 week ago

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
Debbi Amaral, Maui Economic Opportunity’s director of Early Childhood Services, accepted her Champions for Children for Early Learning as an individual award in a virtual ceremony Wednesday, April 7.Amaral was one of 11 Champions for Children, presented by Hawai`i Children’s Action Network, to receive awards in the ceremony streamed from Oahu. There were nearly 90 nominees for 11 awards in various categories.For the last 26 years, Debbi has managed operations and supervised staff at MEO’s Head Start pre-kindergarten program for low income families on two islands in Maui County. She began with MEO in 1996 as education/disability specialist, working her way up to director of Early Childhood Services in 2005.She currently directs 13 in-person/virtual Head Start sites, serving as many as 250 children and their families, and Kahi Kamali`i Infant/Toddler and `Ohana Strengthening programs.Prior to joining MEO as an educational specialist in 1995, Amaral got experience as a teacher and teacher’s aide at Kahului Union, Wailuku Union, Iao and Kahului Baptist preschool programs. She earned her associate’s degree in human services with an emphasis in early childhood from Maui Community College, now UH-Maui College.Adjusting on the fly to the COVID-19 pandemic just showed why Debbi is a Champions for Children. Using her experience and creativity, she quickly kept her programs running, setting up health and safety protocols, developing virtual learning sites while maintaining in-person access for some working families, secured computer tablets for families without them and created a virtual curriculum.She also organized drive-thru food giveaways and weekend meals through Maui Food Bank’s Aloha BackPack Buddies for her programs' families.“Debbi represents the best of MEO,” said CEO Debbie Cabebe. “Helping our young families, who would otherwise not be able to afford early childhood education, and changing the course of their lives.“We have always considered Debbi a champion for children in Maui County. Now, she has the title. We thank the Hawai`i Children’s Action Network for recognizing Debbi.” ... See MoreSee Less

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

2 weeks ago

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
MEO's Debbie Cabebe and Bishop Pahia quoted (Bishop has a picture) in Hawaii Business Magazine article "Secrets of Success After Prison" by Beverly Creamer. The article was published April 5 and can be found at www.hawaiibusiness.com/secrets-of-success-after-prison/.“We start working with the individuals six months prior to release and do a needs assessment with them. MEO has a long history of working with Maui Community Correctional Center back to the 1990s, helping individuals do some volunteer work around facilities, and helping get them into jobs.” --Debbie Cabebe ... See MoreSee Less

Secrets of Success After Prison - Hawaii Business Magazine

www.hawaiibusiness.com

It starts with a willingness by former inmates to change and includes supportive programs and caring employers. Perfecting the formula in Hawai‘i is crucial as...
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WHO WE ARE

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO), chartered on March 22, 1965 is a private non-profit Community Action Agency. The current annual operating budget is $18.4 million. MEO provides outreach and information and administers human service programs to low-income persons, youths, the elderly, immigrants, ex-offenders, persons with disabilities and medical needs.

OUR LOCATIONS

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center
(808) 249-2990
99 Mahalani Street
Wailuku, HI 96793

Hana Neighborhood Center
(808) 248-8282
Uakea Road
Hana, HI 96713

Lana’i Branch Office
(808) 565-6665
1144 Ilima Avenue, #102
Lanai City, HI 96763

Moloka’i Branch Office
(808) 553-3216
380 Kolapa Place
Kaunakakai, HI 96748

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