Maui Economic Opportunity CEO Debbie Cabebe was honored with the Human
Resources Volunteer Service Award at the Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM) Hawai`i Conference & Expo last month for her work with
individuals and families impacted by the 2023 wildfires.
“This award recognizes a member of SHRM Hawai`i who gives selflessly and
makes significant contributions to their community through their time,
actions, talents and dedication,” the human resource professionals’ society
says about the honor.
MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe heads to the stage to receive SHRM Hawai`i’s HumanResources Volunteer Service Award.
A long-time member of SHRM Hawai`i, Cabebe joined MEO in 2000 as the
nonprofit’s Human Resource Manager. She rose through the ranks and
succeeded Lyn McNeff as the seventh CEO/Executive Director in the agency’s
60-year history in 2017.
“When the wildfires devastated Maui, Debbie was asked by federal, state and
county leaders to run assistance programs,” the award notes. “Her primary
focus for the last two years is to manage the wildfire relief programs.”
During Cabebe’s 8-year tenure as CEO, she has guided the agency – and
assisted thousands of Maui County residents – through two major economic
disruptions and disasters. When COVID-19 shutdown the economy in 2020, MEO
was tabbed by Maui County to run the Hawai`i Emergency Laulima Partnership
or HELP program, which was up and running days after approval to provide
financial assistance to residents who were furloughed and laid off due to
the shutdown.
MEO began assisting Lahaina and Kula residents and businesses in the days
following the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires with transportation, document
restoration, translation, housing, utilities, clothing, vehicle, appliance
and school supply assistance. The agency continues to support survivors of
the wildfires with these programs:
– Maui Relief TANF Program for families and individuals directly
impacted by the wildfires. Housing, vehicle, utility, appliance, clothing
and school supply assistance available. For more information, go to
https://www.meoinc.org/maui-relief-tanf-program-online-applications-open/.
– Maui Disaster Stabilization Grant, through Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama:
Disaster Long-Term Recovery Group, which offers assistance to struggling
wildfire survivors. Hawai`i Community Foundation is funding the program
with Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama handling case management and MEO the payments. For
more information, call a Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama case manager at (260) 271-9501
or go to https://www.mauilongtermrecovery.org/support.
County, state and federal agencies and lawmakers often have turned to MEO
and Cabebe for their ability to stand-up programs quickly to get assistance
out and to tap their network of contacts and partnerships in the
communities of need.
Cabebe runs one of Maui County’s largest nonprofits with more than 250
staff on the 3 main islands of the county as well as rural East Maui, a
budget of more than $50 million that assisted 55,000 individuals in Fiscal
Year 2024 – and certainly one of the most diverse program-wise.
MEO’s more than 30 programs operate through five departments – each of
which could be a nonprofit of its own: Transportation, which runs the Maui
Bus Paratransit and Maui County specialized Human Services systems; Early
Childhood Services (Head Start preschool and Kahi Kamali`i Infant Toddler
Center); Community Services (rental, utility, employment, Spanish
translation and acculturation assistance, and support of recently released
inmates and kupuna); Business Development Center (business planning and
financial literacy classes, microloans and credit counseling) and Youth
Services (drugs, alcohol, smoking, bullying and suicide prevention for
middle- and high-schoolers).
Maui Economic Opportunity CEO Debbie Cabebe received the SHRM Hawai`i Human Resources Volunteer Service Award on Oct. 17 at the Hawai`i Convention Center. In this photo, she is flanked by Bernard Nunies, SHRM Hawai`i advisory council member, and Edwina Minglana Pine, state council director.
One of Cabebe’s lasting imprints on MEO is bringing the agency, established
in 1965, into the modern era of human resources. She established hiring and
workplace policies in line with governmental regulations and laws.
The Volunteer Award criteria includes serving as a role model who lives the
values of Lokahi, Kina`ole and Kuleana; making a demonstrable difference by
helping others in the community; demonstrating outstanding community
leadership; contributing to the positive image of the Human Resources
profession and being a SHRM member in good standing.
Cabebe has been actively involved in SHRM Hawai`i, serving on the SHRM
Hawai`i Educational Foundation, including terms as Board President and
other key leadership roles, for more than a decade.
The Volunteer and other awards are meant to “celebrate HR professionals who
go above and beyond to elevate the field of Human Resources,” SHRM Hawai`i
said.
“We at MEO are proud of Debbie, who is so deserving of this award,” said
MEO Board President Carol Reimann. “She runs the agency with rigor to make
sure MEO can meet its financial and grant commitments. Debbie does this
while keeping the thousands in Maui County who need a hand in her heart and
the focal point of her decision-making.”
The award was presented at the SHRM Hawai`i Conference & Expo on Oct. 17 at
the Hawai`i Convention Center in Waikiki.
MEO Chief Administrative Officer Maggie Clark Batangan was one of four SHRM
Hawai`i members awarded SHRM Hawaii Educational Foundation Scholarships to
attend the conference.
