Helping People… Changing Lives

Community Action Promise

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

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Maui Economic Opportunity

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EVENTS & INFORMATION

MEO installs board members for 2025-26, marks 60-year anniversary

July 9, 2025

Maui Economic Opportunity’s 60th-year Board of Directors, led again by Carol Reimann, were installed last month with Mayor Richard Bissen, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and state Sen. Lynn DeCoite joining the candle-themed ceremony. “The county deeply values MEO as a key partner,” said Mayor Richard Bissen at the June 26 event in MEO’s Wailuku classroom. […]

Maui Relief TANF qualifiers reminded to access long-term housing, appliance help

June 23, 2025

Maui Economic Opportunity has been administering the predominantly federally funded Maui Relief TANF Program in partnership with the state Department of Human Services since shortly after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. The program provides housing, vehicle, utility, clothing, school supply and appliance assistance for those whose home or place of employment was damaged or destroyed by the wildfires or who lived or worked in the burn zone and were unable to return home or work due to the recovery efforts.

Kupuna Aloha Luncheon set for July 26; RSVP deadline approaching

June 20, 2025

Radio personality Kathy Collins and Lahaina Honolua Senior Citizens Club President Hedy Udarbe will be honored as Kupuna Advocates of the Year at the 53rd annual Kupuna Aloha Luncheon on July 26. The event is sponsored by the Maui County Planning & Coordinating Council, an umbrella organization made up of kupuna club officers countywide, with assistance from Maui Economic Opportunity. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Grand Wailea.

MEO job program for kupuna, SCSEP, suspended as federal funds cut

June 18, 2025

Maui Economic Opportunity will be suspending a three-decade-old on-the-job training program for Maui County kupuna on June 30 after receiving notification Monday that its contract had been terminated due to the uncertainty of federal funding. Eleven kupuna will be losing their positions in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which was established by the federal Older Americans Act to assist income eligible seniors, 55 years or older, who are unemployed...

MEO’s teen financial literacy class set for July 8-9

June 13, 2025

The two-day Financial Literacy for Teens workshop, covering topics such as budgeting, saving and credit, will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8 and 9, at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku. The teen financial literacy workshop is offered at no cost and is put on by MEO’s Business Development Center. The in-person workshop runs from […]

MEO Core Four Business Planning Course set for July

June 12, 2025

The fourth Core Four Business Planning Course series of the year, presented by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, starts Tuesday, July 1., and runs twice weekly through Thursday, July 31. Classes are in-person only at MEO’s Wailuku classroom, 99 Mahalani St., behind the J. Walter Cameron Center. The Core Four Business Planning classes focus […]

MEO seeking more responses to survey on causes of poverty in county

June 10, 2025

Maui Economic Opportunity has been gathering community’s input on the “causes that could lead to poverty” in Maui County and encourages more submissions before the survey’s deadline of Wednesday, June 25. So far MEO has received more than 200 responses, which will be used to develop a Community Needs Assessment and a three-year Community Action […]

Lolita Bucaneg, Reynaldo De Leon honored by Lahaina-Honolua senior club

May 28, 2025

Two octogenarians born 28 days and worlds apart ­– Lolita Bucaneg and Reynaldo De Leon – were honored at the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club Older Americans Luncheon on May 21 at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku. More than 30 members attended the annual event with Mayor Richard Bissen offering a few remarks and presenting certificates […]

MEO accepts H-HEAP utility credit applications June 1-30 countywide

May 23, 2025

The annual Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP), which offers credits on utility bills for income-qualifying households, will accept applications between June 1 and June 30 at Maui Economic Opportunity offices in Wailuku, Hana, Lana`i City and Kaunakakai, Moloka`i. H-HEAP provides a credit on electricity and gas accounts through Hawaiian Electric and Hawa`i Gas based […]

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David Raatz, director of Council Services and MEO board member, praised the work of MEO leaders and staff at the MEO Board Installation on June 26. ... See MoreSee Less
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Maui Economic Opportunity’s 60th-year Board of Directors, led again by Carol Reimann, were installed last month with Mayor Richard Bissen, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and state Sen. Lynn DeCoite joining the candle-themed ceremony.“The county deeply values MEO as a key partner,” said Mayor Richard Bissen at the June 26 event in MEO’s Wailuku classroom. “They address our housing insecurity, our economic hardship to our citizens, and, of course, many of the challenges that all of our residents face here.“Over the decades, MEO has grown into a trusted network of care, offering transportation to kupuna, preschool to keiki, and support for small businesses and much more. The county stands with MEO as we take on this kuleana together. We are guided by aloha, by collaboration and by hope.”About 40 community and business leaders, state and county officials and MEO board members and staff participated in the event with retired Judge Rhonda Loo installing the new officers and board. The annual board installation also marked MEO’s 60th year since establishment in March 1965.Board officers for the 2025-26 fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30, 2026, includes Reimann, who will be serving her third term as president; Ned Davis, vice president; Cliff Alakai, treasurer; and Reuben Ignacio, secretary. In their remarks to the gathering, Luke and DeCoite lauded the work of MEO and other nonprofit boards in the community.The lieutenant governor noted that MEO assists “the most vulnerable populations” and “that’s why even more so, boards like this are so important because of the role that you fill in taking care of all our `ohana.”DeCoite said that nonprofit boards operate behind the scenes but “are absolutely essential in our communities.”“They are the stewards of mission, the keepers of vision and protectors of integrity,” she said. “Boards guide our strategy, ensure accountability, and they make the hard decisions that keep organizations, not just running, but thriving.”Director of Council Services David Raatz, an MEO board member who represents the Maui County Council, gave a shout out to MEO leaders and staff. “It’s not just MEO’s programs, but it’s MEO’s people that make a difference,” he said. “And as someone who has been fortunate to be a board member for the last two years, I have seen firsthand that everyone in this organization exhibits professionalism, compassion and ingenuity. “There’s things that come up . . . that are never planned for, and they have the ability to pivot quickly, make best available use of resources and serve the community.”MEO assisted 30,500 individuals and touched nearly 55,000 lives in the last fiscal year, CEO Debbie Cabebe said. Judge Loo installed board officers and members with a candle theme, noting that the candle and its light are symbols of hope, remembrance and connection. “The humble candle holds a timeless significance,” she said.MEO’s board consists of 21 members with seven members each representing government, businesses and community interests and those assisted. In addition to the officers, the board includes: Manny Baltazar, Dawn Bicoy, Mindy Bolo, Arleen Gerbig, Cynthia Lallo, Gemma Medina, Caitlin Musson, Crystal Nakihei, Scott Okada, Kai Pelayo, Bard Peterson, Raatz, Adele Rugg, Sandy Ryan, Tessie Segui, Desi Ting and Glenn Yamasaki.From two programs established in 1965, MEO currently runs more than 30 programs that offer diverse assistance for people in need including transport for persons with disabilities, Head Start preschool for low income residents, rent and utility support, youth alcohol/drug/suicide prevention, business planning classes and more.“As you folks all enter your 60 years of service, we reflect with gratitude, and we look ahead with confidence in your continued mission,” said Bissen. “The county honors our continued partnership, and we are rooted in a shared commitment to serve, to uplift and to empower our entire community.”For information about MEO programs, call (808) 249-2990. ... See MoreSee Less
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