NED DAVIS, MEO Volunteer of the Year

Nearly 125 volunteers, council members, board members and community partners came together to recognize MEO’s Volunteer of the Year nominees and honoree, and the Benefactors of the Year. Volunteer of the Year nominees include Ashley Canillo, Ned Davis, Jeffery Honokaupu, Rosaline Omalsa, Leana Kehaulani Marie Silva, Edwina Snyder and Wayne Wong. This year’s honoree is Ned Davis.

Davis is MEO’s board president and was nominated by MEO Early Childhood Services for the countless hours he has given to support the program, for sitting on numerous board committees, and actively supporting children and families enrolled in MEO Head Start.

MEO Early Head Start Director Debbi Amaral wrote in Davis’ nomination, “Ned takes his role seriously and fully understands how his participation impacts the overall success of the program . . . he has the widest smile when children are present at meetings . . . he is a pillar of integrity and unwavering dedication to the mission of MEO.”

MEO also recognized Maui County Fire and Public Safety, and Maui County Police Department as the Benefactors of the Year. During the rash of wildfires in July of 2019, the Fire and Public Safety and Police departments took swift action to safely evacuate MEO Transportation staff from its Puunene baseyard, and save MEO facilities and equipment.

MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe reported that the fire moved quickly and came right up to the entrance of the property. The fires flared up for several days.

Thanks to these county departments no lives were lost, and no property was destroyed. If MEO had experienced a total loss of property and equipment, the loss would have exceeded $6.9 million dollars, according to a news release. While MEO has insurance, the time it would take to recover from a total loss would have had a lasting impact on the community, limiting the ability to serve clients who depend on MEO transportation.

In the past fiscal year, 593 volunteers performed 4,806 hours of service, saving MEO approximately $80,000. For MEO volunteer opportunities contact MEO COO Gay Sibonga at 249-2990.