Head Start and Kahi Kamali`i staff, MEO board members, family, friends and
mentors celebrated the retirement of Early Childhood Services (ECS)
Director Debbi Amaral on May 29 in the MEO Classrooms.
It was her last day of a 31-year career at MEO, the last 26 as director of
ECS, which includes 9 Head Start preschool sites on Maui and Moloka`i and
the Kahi Kamali`i Infant Childhood Center at the J. Walter Cameron Center
in Wailuku.
In a “It’s Your Life, Debbi Amaral” celebration, the speakers’ list
included mentor Elaine Yamashita, MEO leadership CEO Debbie Cabebe and
Chief Programs Officer Gay Sibonga, MEO Board President Ned Davis, and
Debbi’s successor Alex Domingo.
Also in attendance were her husband, Jeff, and her children and
grandchildren, some who flew in from Washington State.
She detailed her journey to MEO and working with children. Her introduction
to early childhood education came when she watched her first child at
preschool when she was in her early 20s.
“I loved being with children. I really had a joy watching children. And I
thought, wow, people can get paid for that.”
Debbi applied for a position at Kahului Baptist preschool and was hired,
embarking on a career that would lead her to MEO and the opportunity to
help prepare thousands of youngsters for public schools and life.
“This has been the journey of a lifetime,” Debbi told the gathering.
“Children and families require community, they require relationships and
trust.
“And what I love about MEO is that action part. They not only say the
words, but they mean what they say and do what they believe in.”
She thanked Kathy Couch, Lyn McNeff, Elaine Yamashita and others for giving
her opportunities and advice and believing in her. She thanked her staff
and the many partners who helped her and the cause of supporting children
and families, who would not have the opportunity for preschool were it not
for Head Start.
“I will say a hui hou. . . .There is so much to experience in the future.
Life is meant to be lived.
“I am truly blessed.”
