More than 270 supporters and staff and board members of Maui Economic Opportunity joined the nonprofit’s main fundraiser of the year Saturday at the King Kamehameha Golf Club. Photo courtesy Chris Sugidono

Maui Economic Opportunity’s largest fundraiser of the year grossed almost $155,000 to support the nonprofit’s more than 30 programs, ranging from Maui Bus paratransit service to support of recently released inmates and assistance for those impacted by the August 2023 wildfires.

According to MEO, More than 270 people attended the nonprofit’s annual gala Saturday at King Kamehameha Golf Club, and among the audience were local and state officials including state House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Mayor Richard Bissen to help MEO celebrate 60 years and retire Hale Mahaolu Executive Director Grant Chun.

This year’s theme was based on the Chinese proverb “Happiness Lies in Helping Others” and encouraged Chinese attire in honor of the ancestry of Chun, a former MEO board member and president. Angela and Phil Benoit provided the music.

State House Speaker Nadine Nakamura helped honor Grant Chun, the recently retired executive director of Hale Mahaolu. MEO honored Chun at its fundraising gala on Saturday at the King Kamehameha Golf Club. Photo courtesy Chris Sugidono

State House Speaker Nadine Nakamura helped honor Grant Chun, the recently retired executive director of Hale Mahaolu. MEO honored Chun at its fundraising gala on Saturday at the King Kamehameha Golf Club. Photo courtesy Chris Sugidono

MEO grossed nearly $155,000 from sponsorships, seat purchases and proceeds from drawings, Raise the Paddle and live auction, led by Maui Arts & Cultural Center President and CEO Art Vento.

The Community Action Agency, one of more than a thousand agencies formed nationwide by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, was established on the day of the gala on March 22, 1965.

“The MEO values of teamwork, empathy and integrity align with the Chinese values of harmony, benevolence and righteousness, making the Chinese theme for tonight’s event a perfect fit for MEO and an opportunity to celebrate the Chinese heritage of our honoree, Mr. Grant Chun,” said mistress of ceremony Kathy Collins.

Chun retired in summer 2024 after about seven years at the helm of Hale Mahaolu and is a former vice president at A&B Properties and Maui County managing director. He also was instrumental in helping form the partnership with Hale Mahaolu, Highridge Costa and MEO to develop 120 affordable rental units in Waiehu.

Besides the House speaker, lieutenant governor and mayor, other dignitaries attending were state Sen. Troy Hashimoto; state Reps. Kyle Yamashita, Tyson Miyake and Justin Woodson; Council Members Alice Lee, Yuki Lei Sugimura, Tasha Kama, Tom Cook and Gabe Johnson and former Mayors Michael Victorino and James Kimo Apana.

“MEO thanks the supporters of our Gala, our largest fundraiser of the year,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe in a statement. “We suspended the gala last year due to the wildfires, but this year in these uncertain times, the money raised will be valuable in filling gaps and unplanned needs.”

Posing for a photo at the MEO Gala were Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (from left), the night’s honoree Grant Chun, Mayor Richard Bissen and MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. Photo courtesy Chris Sugidono

Posing for a photo at the MEO Gala were Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (from left), the night’s honoree Grant Chun, Mayor Richard Bissen and MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. Photo courtesy Chris Sugidono