Said Akaou will be leaving his Head Start classroom for retirement at the end of the school year after 21 years teaching and caring for 3 and 4 year olds in the preschool program. CEO Debbie Cabebe, who hired Said when she was Chief Human Resources Officer, and COO Gay Sibonga visited Said’s Kahului A classroom on Monday to say goodbye.
Said, who is in his mid-70s, joined Head Start in 2002 after moving to Maui from France with his wife in 2000. His intention was to retire, but he got bored. The retired vocational school instructor learned about Head Start, the pre-kindergarten program for low income families, and decided to give it a try.
Twenty-one years later, he is really retiring. MEO is grateful for his years with Head Start and his dedication and love for the children. Good luck in retirement!
COO Gay Sibonga (from left), Said Akaou, and CEO Debbie Cabebe.
Debbie Cabebe, who hired Said Akaou, gives him a hug as he heads for retirement at the end of the school year.
Said Akaou and Debbie Cabebe.
