Participants in the crowd raise their paddles to bid on items at the MEO gala. About $155,000 was raised for community causes. Photo courtesy Maui Economic Opportunity

On Saturday, 260 attendees gathered at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center to honor state Sen. Troy Hashimoto during Maui Economic Opportunity’s seventh annual gala, the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The back-to-back kona storms in March forced MEO to move the fundraiser from its traditional home, the King Kamehameha Golf Club, which was damaged by flooding, to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center a couple of weeks before the event.

“We owe much gratitude to Art Vento and the MACC team for graciously stepping into the void and helping us save the Gala,” MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe said.

She also thanked Vento, president and CEO of the MACC, for encouraging attendees to Raise the Paddle for donations to MEO and to bid on vacation packages. He was assisted by emcee Kathy Collins.

The emcees for the gala’s evening were Maui Arts & Cultural Center President and CEO Art Vento and local talent Kathy Collins. Photo courtesy Maui Economic Opportunity

An estimated $155,000 was raised by the Raise the Paddle donations.

In addition to raising money for the organization, the gala honored Hashimoto, who has served in the state Senate since November 2023 after five years in the state House.

Speakers included former Maui County Council member Mike White, state Rep. Kyle Yamashita, Greggor Ilagan of Hawaii Island and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. They described Hashimoto’s growth, while throwing in some gentle “roasting.”

Sen. Troy Hashimoto was honored at the Maui Economic Opportunity’s seventh annual gala at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B outdoor theater. Photo courtesy Maui Economic Opportunity

Speaker of the state House Nadine Nakamura also was in attendance as was Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and County Council members Kauanoe Batangan, Tom Cook, Alice Lee and Yuki Lei Sugimura.

Hashimoto thanked those in attendance, including his parents, lauded the work of MEO and vowed to continue his efforts to keep residents home and not have to move away.

While the spotlight was on Hashimoto, many speakers also applauded Cabebe, who attended her last gala as MEO CEO. She will be retiring at the end of July, with Maggie Batangan assuming the role of CEO on Aug. 1.

“These are difficult times for nonprofits, especially with all the funding cuts,” said Cabebe. “Money raised at this gala will help struggling residents stay in their homes, keep the lights on, get to important health appointments and shopping at the markets and send their children to preschool.

“Thank you to our sponsors and donors. We will continue the work of the last 61 years: ‘Helping People, Changing Lives’ in Maui County.”

Native Hawaiian music practitioner and educator Liz Morales provided musical mele and entertainment at the gala. Photo courtesy Maui Economic Opportunity