Housing specialist Shayna Manlapao is MEO Employee of the Month

Home » Programs & Services » Community Services » Housing specialist Shayna Manlapao is MEO Employee of the Month
August 3, 2021

Housing specialist Shayna Manlapao, who received a public shout-out in a Letter to the Editor in The Maui News, was named Maui Economic Opportunity June Employee of the Month.

“Not only does she provide personal excellence with all of her clients, as a co-worker Shay has helped me learn the ropes and tips of our duties in RAP (Rental Assistance Program),” said Lance Winston, who nominated Shay for the honor. “She has been patient, extremely kind, and makes work fun with her local flair.”

In the letter, Victor Lopez of Kihei explained how their credit card and loan debt mounted after losing their jobs in the pandemic.

“The MEO rental assistance program has been a huge help during a very stressful time,” he said. “Not only did this program and the rental assistance allow us to start paying down debt and keep from going into arrears, the counseling and talks we had with Shayna, our case manager, taught us to look at our spending habits.

“Since being on the assistance program, we’ve eliminated needless spending and have begun and will continue to stick to budgets for things like groceries and discretionary spending.”

Shayna began at MEO in the Youth Services Department in May 2018. She moved to the Community Services Department in December 2020 and currently is a Housing Specialist II in Rental Assistance.

“During the HELP (Hawai‘i Emergency Laulima Partnership) program she stepped up and became one of the most effective HELP case workers,” said Cliff Caesar, Chief Human Resources Officer. “She showed her true commitment to helping those in need and made us proud to have her on our team.”

June’s employee of the month was honored during a general staff meeting on Thursday, July 29, and received a $150 check and an extra vacation day. Lance earned $50 for the nomination.

More News

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

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

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

Kupuna Aloha Luncheon set for July 26; RSVP deadline approaching

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

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

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…