The Maui Farm Bids Aloha to Executive Director

Executive Director of The Maui Farm, Paula Ambre, will be retiring from her position at the end of June, 2018 according to the Maui Farm’s Board of Directors. Ambre has served the Makawao non-profit agency for 28 years, first as Organizational Planner then as Executive Director.

“It is with gratitude for her many years of service that we announce Paula Ambre’s retirement,” said Board Chairperson Mark Vaught. “Paula has been the face of the Agency since its inception and has been instrumental in shaping the mission of The Maui Farm and insuring the success of it programs.”

Ambre was first hired as the Agency’s Organizational Planner in 1990 and was named as its Executive Director in 1992. Under her direction, The Maui Farm has adapted to the needs of the community.

The Maui Farm opened its doors in 1993 as a farm-based, family style residential program to provide long term care for foster youth offering hands-on activities and experiences on how to live as responsible and contributing members of the family and community.

In 2005, The Maui Farm responded to changes within the state’s youth-serving system, and took action to address the growing problem of homelessness, by re-focusing its residential programs to serve families in need of transitional housing and community support as they work to attain self-sufficient living. 

In 2011, The Maui Farm began offering educational programs and farm tours for the community so that more people could experience and benefit from its educational farm.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to devote my life’s work to The Maui Farm’s important mission of service to children, families and our community,” said Ambre. “I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve and lead this uniquely special organization.  It has been professionally fulfilling and personally rewarding to see the many lives we have touched and enriched over the years.”

The Board of Directors has formed a transition team to guide The Maui Farm in the short term.  “Over the next few months we will be conducting a search to find the new Executive Director to lead The Maui Farm into the future,” announced Vaught.  “During this transition period, it is our priority to find the best individual to lead the Agency while maintaining a stable and effective organization with a continuation of the vital services we provide to Maui’s community.”