Maui United Way Awarded $100,000, Installs New Officers

A&B’s Grant Chun presents a $100,000 check to Maui United Way president Laksmi Abraham. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui United Way accepted a $100,000 check from Alexander & Baldwin during the agency’s 44th Annual Meeting and Recognition Luncheon held last week at the Kāhili Ballroom in Waikapū.

Both Alexander & Baldwin and The Karakin Foundation were recognized for their contributions that exceeded $100,000 toward the Maui United Way campaign.

The funds were raised during the 2012-2013 campaign, and were part of a larger $1.03 million raised by various organizations throughout the year, for some 40 partner agencies that provide services in critical community need areas to Maui County residents.

Maui United Way installed a new officers during its 44th Annual Meeting and Recognition Luncheon. Photo by Wendy Osher.

According to Maui United Way President and CPO, Laksmi Abraham, MUW worked with more than 350 businesses that contributed 1,732 hours of volunteer service, to support Maui’s most vital needs.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, and the commitment of partners, 75,631 services were offered to those in need, said Abraham.

Among the many agencies benefiting from MUW funding last year were: Feed My Sheep, which received $18,245 for its mobile food distribution program; Habitat for Humanity Maui, which received $14,389 for its Building Houses, Building Hope program; and Imua Family Services which received $44,273 for its Early Childhood Development program.

A&B’s Grant Chun presents a $100,000 check to Maui United Way president Laksmi Abraham. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Outgoing Chairman Curtis Tom from the Bank of Hawai’i said, “Volunteerism, partnerships and collaboration are what Maui United Way is all about.” He said, “While we help to raise funds for our partner agencies, we also work to increase awareness within our Island’s community about our partner agencies and the services they provide.”

According to MUW’s Annual Report to Donors, contributions made an impact in the community by providing awareness to 13,901 of the risks and dangers of meth use; distributing essential food boxes to 11,173 people to sustain and improve their physical and emotional health; and providing shelter and safety to some 250 women and children who were in a program for victims of domestic violence.

During the meeting, the agency also installed new officers including: Chair, Deanna Davis,of Pacific Media Group; Vice Chair, Stephen Kealoha; Treasurer, Christine Williams of First Hawaiian Bank; and Secretary, Paul Mizoguchi of the Maui Varieties Ltd., and House Mart.