Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
About Us
MEO provides the tools to help people and change lives. A ride to the doctor, to work or to school. Training to improve job skills and employability. Help to find a job. Early childhood care and education that gives children and their families a head start in life. Learning life skills, earning money, preparing for the workforce—and fun for teens. Reintegration services to help former inmates return successfully to the community. A helping hand with housework, so a senior can stay in their home. Advice and devices to save electricity and money. A friendly counselor to pull things together when the world seems to be falling apart. Education and prevention to help stop drug abuse. Small loans that make a big difference in starting a business. Wheel chair accessible buses that can carry those with special needs to day care, or to the senior center to have lunch with valued friends. Advocacy to better the life of the community.
Basic tools for living, for earning, for self-reliance, for community involvement: Provided by MEO in the belief that instead of giving people a fish, it is better to teach them how to catch fish for themselves.
Basic tools for living, for earning, for self-reliance, for community involvement: Provided by MEO in the belief that instead of giving people a fish, it is better to teach them how to catch fish for themselves.
Management
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Phone: 808.249.2990
Fax: 808.249.2991
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Bio: Sananda “Sandy” Baz is the chief executive officer of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. Sandy joined MEO in 2000 as its first MIS Director, in January of 2002 he was promoted to Deputy Director and in January of 2006 was hired as the fourth executive director. He was born and raised on Maui and lives in Haiku with his wife Kanani and three children. He also serves as a minister at Kupaianaha Church and on the boards of the Maui United Way, State Workforce Development Council and the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. Sandy is the Chair of the Maui Workforce Investment Board and President of the Rotary Club of Kahului. Sandy is a Hawaii Community Foundation PONO Fellow, a Pacific Century Fellow and winner of the Pacific Business News “Forty Under 40” Award. Sandy also teaches board training, nonprofit management and other related subjects. |
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Bio: Mona P Kailiponi received her Master of Accountancy with minor emphasis on Business Administration from Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah. As Fiscal Director, she has over fifteen years hands-on experience in managing all aspects of the agency’s financial management and accounting function and responsibility for all the financial matters including agency and program planning and budgeting, RFP preparation, financial policy and procedures design, investment planning, financial information training, staff training in Federal, State and local government requirement and regulations.
Since 1989, under her management in the Fiscal Department, MEO annual Single Audit reports from independent CPA audit firms show no findings relating to the financial statements and no audit findings in internal control and on compliance for major programs. |
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Executive Staff
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Alika Atay, Youth Services Program Director
Phone: 808.873.3101
Fax: 808.873.3103
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Alika Atay joined MEO in May of 2007 as the Youth Services Program Director. Prior to MEO he worked for several non-profits in various youth services positions as well as program director. Alika is a graduate of Hastings College in Nebraska and a Kamehameha Schools Oahu. In his spare time he is the Head Coach for the Baldwin High School paddling team..
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Debbi Amaral, MEO Early Childhood Services Director
Phone: 808.249.2988
Fax: 808.249.2989
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Bio: Debbie attended Maui Community College, graduating with an Associates of Sciences degree in Human Services with emphasis in Early Childhood. She taught at private preschools in central Maui for ten years prior to being employed with MEO. She began her career with Head Start in June 1996 as the Education / Disability Specialist. In 2001, she was promoted to Assistant Director and to her current position in November 2005. Early Childhood programs provided by MEO include Head Start, Kahi Kamali’i Infant / Toddler program, Free to Grow ‘Ohana Strengtening program and the Free to Be program.
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David Bulliment, I.T. Director
Phone: 808.243.8723
Fax: 808.249.2991
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Bio: David studied French and Sciences at Grand Valley State University in Michigan and Universite de Touraine in France before starting a career in the hospitality industry. He held positions in Hotel Accounting and Operations at various hotels within the U.S. before switching to Technology. David then joined Inter-Continental Hotels and held positions at their Corporate Offices and several hotels. He was deployed to install systems in new hotels and sent on assignment to South America and Europe. David eventually transferred to the Maui Inter-Continental Resort as MIS Manager where he remained until joining MEO in 2005.
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Debbie Cabebe, Human Resources Director
Phone: 808.249.2980
Fax: 808.249.2979
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Bio: Debbie Cabebe joined Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. in January of 2000 with ten years of experience as a human resource generalist working for a for-profit company. As the Human Resources Director for MEO she manages and administers all human resource functions to include policy development, implementation and compliance; recruitment and retention; affirmative action; wage and hour compliance; compensation and benefits; records creation, maintenance and retention; employee relations; training and development; drug and alcohol program management; risk management; strategic planning; and acts as the agency’s privacy officer.
Debbie provides training and support to various nonprofit organizations through MEO consulting services, and is active with the SHRM Maui Educational Foundation acting as Vice President., She represents MEO on the Chamber of Commerce Business Committee and is a certified Workplace Communication Skills trainer. She also volunteers her time sitting on the School Community Based Council for Maui High School and is very active in several ministries at Saint Theresa Church. |
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Gerry Lum, Community Services Director
Phone: 808.249.2970
Fax: 808.249.2971
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Bio: Born in Honolulu and lived adjacent to the majestic Ko’olau mountain range in Waimanalo. Adrenalin-seeker who is always in search of challenges. Finds solace as an avid cyclist whose ambition is to bike solo to Haleakala within two years and is hopeful to enter the annual Cycle to the Sun. Graduated from Damien Memorial High School, studied at University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College and attained AS in Police Science. Employed with State of Hawaii and worked within various departments (Department of Social Services and Housing, University of Hawaii – Manoa). Moved to Maui from Honolulu in 1982 and continued with the State having worked for the Harbors Division and DLNR. During a seven-year period, while employed with the State, volunteered as a Reserve Police Officer with the Maui Police Department. Worked also with the Federal government and was in the employ of the Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs Service, as a Customs Inspector in Kahului. Since July 2002, worked at MEO, previously as a Loan Fund Manager, Program Administrator, Community Services, Maui-to-Work program, and Case Manager II.
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Harry Johnson, Transportation Director
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Bio: Harry ‘HJ’ Johnson attended Brigham Young University on Oahu where he majored in Business Management. He joined the MEO family in 1993 as a CDL driver for the Transportation department. A few months later, he was promoted to the Assistant Manager position, and by the end of that year, he became the Assistant Director. Having left MEO to pursue other opportunities in the private sector, he returned back to MEO and on May 26, 2006, he was announced as the new Transportation Director. He is married to Laura Gail Johnson, his high school ‘sweetheart’, and they have raised six children, two boys and four girls. He enjoys activities with his children and devotes much of his time to his church by instructing youth and their parents.
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Jennifer Okamura, Executive Assistant
Phone: 808.249.2990
Fax: 808.249.2991
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| Jennifer Okamura joined MEO in September of 2007 as a HR Administrative Specialist. Her professionalism, diplomacy and attention to detail caught the eye of management. In February Jennifer was promoted to Executive Secretary, reporting directly to MEO Executive Director Sandy Baz. Prior to MEO Jennifer worked for 2 years at Maui Memorial Medical Center as a Obstetrics Health Clerk and for 9 years as a Tour/Rooms Coordinator for JTB Hawaii in Honolulu. | |
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Ken E.K. Hunt, Director of the B.E.S.T. Reintegration Program
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Bio: Ken has directed planning and grant writing for MEO since 1998 generating millions of dollars for the Agency from federal, state, county and local resources. He is responsible for developing the Agency’s Four Year Strategic Plan, conducts workshops on grant writing, facilitation techniques, and strategic planning. Ken has over 20 years of experience in community organizing, youth program development, and work in tribal communities. He is a Laguna Pueblo tribal member and served on the Tribal Council in 1974-1978. Ken’s education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health Education and a Master’s Degree in Public Health Planning and Administration.
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Krislyn Mossman, Programs Director
Phone: 808.249.2990
Fax: 808.249.2991
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Bio: Krislyn Mossman was born and raised on the island of Maui and is a graduate of Maui High School. Ms. Mossman earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership & Management from the University of San Diego as well as her Bachelor’s degree in Family Life Services from Point Loma Nazarene University. She started her career in San Diego working primarily with youth in several different nonprofit organizations. Upon moving back to Maui in 2006, she continued working with youth as a High School Teacher and most recently as a Prevention Specialist. Krislyn joined MEO in June 2008 as a Programs Manager. Her work focusses on managing the agency’s Community Development Block Grants, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, as well as involvement in other special projects.
She is currently a member of the School Community Council for Kekaulike High School and also is an assistant coach for the varsity girls soccer team and Maui High School. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer and spending time with family and friends. |
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Paul Janes-Brown, Fund Development Director
Phone: 808.249.2990
Fax: 808.249.2991
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Bio: Paul Janes-Brown has raised nearly $20 million for charities over a three decade fundraising career. As a not for profit executive he was managing director of Maui Academy of Performing Arts as well as the Phoenix Theatre Company in New York City and the first development director at Maui Youth & Family Services. Experienced in all forms of media, he is a columnist for the Maui Weekly and chairman of the Rotary Club of Maui’s public relations committee. An active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and a singer in both the Upcountry Choral and Maui Madrigale, he recently returned to the stage in community theater after a three-year hiatus.
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Bio: An entrepreneur with 26 years as business founder/owner and general manager, her publishing company created and published up to 4 periodicals at one time and sold each as a profitable publication.
Community Service
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Bio : Zessica has lived on the island of Molokai all her life. She is responsible for the supervision of staff and oversight management of services provided at the branch office.
Ms. Apiki has been involved with community work for more than 15 years. Before coming to MEO, she was the Deputy Director of the Molokai Community Services Council, and before that, a Paralegal with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. She is currently a member of the Maui County’s General Planning Advisory Council (GPAC) for the island of Molokai. She also served on the Maui County Grants Review Committee from 2000 – 2004. Ms. Apiki is a 1984 graduate of Kamehameha Schools. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Sylvester Apiki III and their five children. |
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