MEO BEST Ke Kahua Project receives $50,000 OHA grant
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) announced a grant of $50,000 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the Being Empowered and Safe Together (BEST) Ke Kahua Cultural Learning Center Project in Waiehu. The project is a native Hawaiian agricultural program that seeks to improve the quality of life of formerly incarcerated persons and Native Hawaiian families in the areas of food, shelter, and safety.
VERLIN FRAME, HELEN TALLY AND JONAH SOUZA PLANTING TARO
By providing hands on training in taro farming, cultivation of native plants, rock wall building and landscaping using traditional and modern techniques, the MEO BEST participants (recently incarcerated Maui residents) will acquire marketable skills enhancing their opportunities for employment, occupation, income and other socioeconomic status dimensions. This will contribute to their economic self-sufficiency and decrease the likelihood of returning to prison.
“Through the guiding standard of “Ma ka hana ka’ike (through doing is knowledge) and the principle of “Malama ‘aina” (Caring for the Land), the participants will enhance their social, cultural, economic, physical, emotional, spiritual and educational well being,” said MEO CEO Sandy Baz. “The MEO BEST Ke Kahua program is a shining example of providing a hand up not a hand out. Programs like this really do help people and change lives.”
“Ke Kahua will provide a nurturing learning environment that will allow participants to better understand their kuleana and live in a manner that is pono not only for themselves, but for their `ohana and the Hawaiian community. By continuing to provide comprehensive transitional support services and job training services, MEO BEST will strengthen familial relationships, connect participants with the surrounding Native Hawaiian community, and reduce the recidivism rates of Native Hawaiian prisoners. In turn, this will strengthen Native Hawaiian families and build safer communities for all of us.”
“We couldn't be more pleased to have the support and assistance of the OHA trustees. The BEST Ke Kahua project in Waiehu will bring innovation and new strategies to assist BEST participants in obtaining gainful employment, a key to ensuring that they can take their place as successful and productive members of our community.” said MEO president, Grant Chun.
B.E.S.T. (Being Empowered and Safe Together)
Maui Economic Opportunity's B.E.S.T. (Being Empowered and Safe Together) Reintegration Program provides comprehensive transitional support services and training to prepare inmates for their successful return to the community. BEST clients receive services in the areas of case management, employment training, housing assistance, cognitive skills restructuring, cultural renewal, family reunification, and mentoring. In addition, BEST collaborates with community service agencies to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as other support services.
