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MEO Teen Financial Literacy workshop set in June
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Teen Financial Literacy Workshop will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 20, 22, 27 and 29. The four-session program offered through MEO’s Business Development Center covers budgeting and savings, basic banking, applying for jobs, credit and...
Sherrilynn Nishikuni named MEO Employee of the Month
Assistant Director of Transportation Sherrilynn Nishikuni was named Maui Economic Opportunity Employee of the Month for her ability to “wear many hats” and work her way up from driver to the No. 2 post in the department. “Need a supervisor, dispatcher, reservationist...
Candidates invited to 50th Kupuna Aloha Luncheon
Candidates for public office are invited to sign up for a display table at the 50th Kupuna Aloha Luncheon, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 30, in the Grand Wailea Haleakala Ballroom. Five decades ago, the event was organized by Maui Economic Opportunity to give...
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Maui Now : Free carpenter pre-apprenticeship training offered at UH Maui College
mauinow.com
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is offering a new, free eight-week carpentry pre-apprenticeship training program this summer for residents interested in pursuing career pathways in the skilled tra...
*MEO Teen Financial Literacy workshop set in June*![]()
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Maui Economic Opportunity’s Teen Financial Literacy Workshop will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 20, 22, 27 and 29.![]()
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The four-session program offered through MEO’s Business Development Center covers budgeting and savings, basic banking, applying for jobs, credit and its importance and more.![]()
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The workshop is free and is geared for students from intermediate to high school. The four sessions are set to be held in-person at MEO, 99 Mahalani St., Wailuku, but could move online depending on pandemic conditions.![]()
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To register for the workshop, go to form.jotform.com/211266480815152, call (808) 243-4347 or email lianne.perosbusch@meoinc.org.![]()
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MEO’s Business Development Center is partnering on the workshop with Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. The instructors are Lianne Peros-Busch with BDC and Jaimie Dukelow with Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union. The Maui County Office of Economic Development is providing funding for the workshop.![]()
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Manny Dukelow receives his Teen Financial Literacy certificate of completion, along with a few other goodies, at last year’s drive-thru graduation on June 18 at Maui Economic Opportunity. Also appearing in the photo are class instructors (from left) Lianne Peros-Busch and Jaimie Dukelow and Business Development Center Director David Daly.
*Sherrilynn Nishikuni named MEO Employee of the Month*![]()
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Assistant Director of Transportation Sherrilynn Nishikuni was named Maui Economic Opportunity Employee of the Month for her ability to “wear many hats” and work her way up from driver to the No. 2 post in the department.![]()
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“Need a supervisor, dispatcher, reservationist or driver? This person can do it all,” said her nominator Iris Malaikini.![]()
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In her 21 years at MEO Transportation, Sherrilynn has driven buses and served as a dispatcher/reservationist, scheduler/planner, lead reservationist and Transportation Office Supervisor, overseeing daily operations. Sherrilynn joined MEO in November 2001.![]()
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Iris said that Sherrilynn comes in early, stays late and will come to the office on days off and is flexible.![]()
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“In our line of business, creativity is key,” she said. “Sometimes schedules are a puzzle . . . and ‘thinking outside of the box’ is crucial in making sure someone gets from Point A to Point B in a safe and timely manner. This person will take it apart and put it back together and make it work.”![]()
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For being named Employee of the Month for March, Sherrilynn earned a $150 check and an extra vacation day. Iris received $50 as the nominator.![]()
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Sherrilynn Nishikuni (left), Maui Economic Opportunity Assistant Director of Transportation, was named employee of the month. She poses for a photo with her nominator, Iris Malaikini.
*MEO seeks residents to fill out Community Needs Survey*![]()
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Maui Economic Opportunity has begun circulating a survey on the causes of poverty in Maui County to be used in the development of a Community Needs Assessment and Action Plan that the nonprofit generates every three years.![]()
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As a Community Action Partnership nonprofit, one of hundreds established in communities nationwide to battle poverty, MEO is required to create the Needs Assessment and Action Plan every three years – with the last plan drawn up in 2020.![]()
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In the last assessment, the areas of concern included cost of living, homeless support, drug abuse, mental illness and physical disability support, health care costs, a culture of a life of poverty, affordable quality child care and divorce/feminization.![]()
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“We encourage our Maui County community, including on Lana‘i and Moloka‘i, to participate in identifying critical needs and concerns in the county by filling out our survey,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. “This is the critical first step in creating an action plan to assist our residents in need.”![]()
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Based on the four-page survey and the Action Plan, the 57-year-old nonprofit will align its more than 40 programs and develop new ones if needed to tackle the top concerns of low income and other disenfranchised residents of Maui County, said Cabebe.![]()
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The next steps in developing the Action Plan include reviewing the surveys, forming and taking input from focus groups and approval by the MEO Board of Directors. The Action Plan, which will cover the period of Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2026, is being done by Dr. Lori Teragawachi, who has been contracted by MEO.![]()
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“MEO’s mission is to ‘strengthen the community while helping people in need restore their hope, reach their potential and enrich their lives,’ ’’ said Cabebe. “Please be our partner in helping our neighbors in need.”![]()
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A copy of the survey may be downloaded at bit.ly/3lE2yUH, filled out and emailed to lee.imada@meoinc.org, mailed to P.O. Box 2122, Kahului, HI, 96733; or dropped off at 99 Mahalani St., Wailuku. Forms also may be filled out over the phone by calling (808) 243-4306.
MEO seeks residents to fill out Community Needs Survey