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

Rental or Mortgage Assistance Program

Head Start 2021-2022 School Year Information and Application

Core Four Business Planning Course

Teen Financial Literacy Online Workshop

Testimonials

EVENTS & INFORMATION

In-person assistance available to COVID-19 affected individuals for mortgage, rental, utility help

June 4, 2021

CONTACT: Lee Imada MEO Executive Administrative Assistant Ph.: (808) 243-4306 (w) (808) 283-0428 (c) Email: lee.imada@meoinc.org Maui Economic Opportunity will have staff members available on the following dates and locations to assist COVID-19 affected individuals and families with mortgage, rental and utility assistance applications. The meeting schedule by region follows. Kihei Community Center from 8 […]

Energy Credit applications accepted through MEO beginning June 1

May 10, 2021

Applications for the federally funded Energy Credit assistance program, which helps low income residents who are not in crisis but require help to pay their heating and cooling bills, will be accepted beginning June 1. Maui Economic Opportunity administers the once-a-year program in Maui County with applications accepted through 4:30 p.m. June 30. MEO usually […]

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, […]

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NEWS

14th Annual Celebration of Fathers

Jun 10, 2021

Aloha Friends and Families, Please join us in the 14th Annual Celebration of Fathers Event hosted by our wonderful community partners at Maui Family Support Services! This is a free drive through event that will be taking place at the Baldwin High School parking lot...

Paratransit monthly passes to be replaced by coupon booklet July 1

Jun 9, 2021

Said Akaou and Evelyn Del Valle have a Head Start connection.

Jun 7, 2021

Teacher Said Akaou & former student Evelyn Del Valle turned teacher reunite at Head Start site. Said, 76, is a longtime assistant teacher at Head Start. Evelyn, 22, a Head Start youth, joined the early childhood learning program last October as a teacher aide....

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FACEBOOK POSTS

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

3 days ago

**MEO Core Four Business Planning Course offers $25,000 to top business plan**A prize of up to $25,000 for start-up costs will be presented to the top business plan in the next Core Four Business Planning Course series, presented by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center.A total of eight monetary awards, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, will be presented to the top business plans in the online class series that runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 6 to Aug. 5. The classes will be offered via Zoom.The Core Four Business Planning Course, which provides a total of 24 hours of instruction, covers writing a business plan and provides the information needed to start, operate and grow a business. It is perfect for those thinking of starting a business or who are just starting and need direction.The course cost is $50. Financial assistance is available.Those interested in learning more about the entrepreneurial training course can call David Daly at the MEO Business Development Center at (808) 249-2990.Registration is required for the five-week series and can be done by submitting an online application at www.meoinc.org/programs-services/business-development-center/core-four/.Enrollment forms also can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays by appointment at MEO’s Family Center in Wailuku near the J. Walter Cameron Center. (The Family Center currently is closed to the public, except by reservation.)Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama allocated the funds for the awards from her district allowance for the countywide program in the 2021-22 fiscal year budget. The Core Four Business Planning Course receives funding from the Maui County Office of Economic Development. ... See MoreSee Less

Core Four - Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

www.meoinc.org

The course enables development of a realistic, achievable business plan. The six-week, 36-hour course is offered 10 times a year on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Financial aid is available through grants ...

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

6 days ago

Business Planning Course ... See MoreSee Less

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

2 weeks ago

Monthly and daily passes for riders on paratransit buses operated by Maui Economic Opportunity will be eliminated and replaced with a coupon booklet program beginning July 1, 2021.The Maui County Department of Transportation announced changes in various Maui Bus fares and passes this week. MEO runs the Maui Bus Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit system, offering curb-to-curb rides by reservation for qualified persons with disabilities within three-fourths of a mile on either side of a Maui Bus route.Paratransit riders have been able to purchase $45 monthly passes from MEO for unlimited rides for the month with the nonprofit agency subsidizing the cost for low income riders above the $45. The monthly and daily passes will be eliminated beginning July 1, 2021.The program will be replaced by a 12-ride (one-way trip) ticket booklet, which will cost $20. Coupons will be valid from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.Sales of the coupon booklets begin June 25, 2021, and may be purchased from bus drivers. Drivers could assist riders with the removal of the ticket from the booklet and to place the coupon in the farebox.General boarding fares (one-way trips) remain at $2 per boarding, cash only.For more information about the paratransit service or to make a reservation, call (808) 877-7651.On regular Maui Bus routes, the new fares include a $25 monthly pass offered to seniors, 55 years and older, and students with a valid ID, 24 and younger; paratransit-eligible riders; and Medicare cardholders.MEO will continue to certify and register the Maui Bus disability riders for the monthly pass. For an application and more information, contact MEO at (808) 249-4306 or go to the website, meoinc.org.The Department of Transportation said in a letter to MEO that the changes are based on recommendations in the Maui Bus Rates & Fee study, the Maui Short Range Transit Plan and the County Council's Performance and Fiscal Audits of the Department of Transportation.The monthly and daily passes for Maui Bus paratransit services, run by Maui Economic Opportunity, will be eliminated in lieu of a 12-ride coupon booklet for $20 beginning July 1, 2021. ... See MoreSee Less

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Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

2 weeks ago

Dee Kahuhu, who heads the National Farmworker Jobs Program, was selected Employee of the Month for April at Maui Economic Opportunity.“This person strikes me as the consummate company employee and absolutely exemplifies MEO's core values,” wrote Jan Cerizo, who nominated Kahuhu for the honor. “An absolute team player, this person serves as the ‘go to’ person in our department on multiple occasions.”Dee’s exemplary traits include attention to detail, patience to teach fellow workers and assist clients, leadership and integrity. She uses her fluency in pidgin to communicate and endear herself with local clients.“My initial impression of this person is that she is a down to earth ‘titah,’ and it is with respect that I use this adjective to describe her,” said Jan.Dee started off at MEO in May 2000 as a housing specialist. She left MEO in April 2015 but returned about a year later. In February 2019, Dee was promoted from housing specialist to program manager.April’s employee of the month was honored during a general staff meeting on May 26 and received a $150 check and an extra vacation day. Jan earned $50 for the nomination. ... See MoreSee Less

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