Maui Electric Donates $144,000 to 70 Non-Profits in 2015

Maui Electric Company. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Electric contributed more than $144,000 to over 70 non-profits and community organizations this year, according to a company announcement.

In addition to the monetary contributions, Maui Electric employees also volunteered more than 1,800 hours of non-work time at various community events and activities on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i in 2015.

“A tremendous part of our 94-year history is our commitment to our community. Whether it’s providing a safety net for at-risk youth or helping to build Hope Lodge Hawai‘i, a home-away-from-home for neighbor island cancer patients who are receiving treatments on O‘ahu – supporting our communities is a deep part of our heritage,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric in a company press release.

“We live and work in the communities we serve and our employees care tremendously about this place we all call home. The spirit of giving is why so many of our employees generously donate their own time to help where they can,” she said.

Guided by a mission to support community programs, environmental sustainability, health and human services, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, Maui Electric donated to dozens of non-profits and community organizations this year, including the following:

• American Cancer Society – Hope Lodge Hawai‘i: Supporting the completion of a facility soon to be completed on O‘ahu that will offer free, temporary housing for neighbor island cancer patients who are undergoing outpatient treatment. Hope Lodge Hawai‘i will offer a supportive, home-like environment that lets patients focus on getting well.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui: Supporting programs that provide a safe gathering and learning place for over 2,400 school-age youth at six clubs across Maui County.
• Alaka‘ina Foundation: Providing funds for the purchase of new and updated “Digital Buses” on Maui and Moloka‘i. Components of science, technology, engineering and math are part of the Digital Bus program that include a focus on marine biology, oceanography, and conservation.
• St. Anthony Jr.-Sr. High School CAM Lab: Helping prepare students for technology-based careers through support of a state-of-the-art Communications and Media Lab (CAM Lab). The CAM Lab will also be made available to the public for after-school, adult, and summer school programs.

“Our community thrives today because of partners like Maui Electric who support schools like ours to carry out 21st Century learning initiatives. St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School is grateful for MECO’s assistance in helping us build new generations to come,” said Betsey Gunderson, Head of School.

Maui Electric volunteer projects included: quarterly Adopt a Highway Cleanups; the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk; Arbor Day tree giveaway; Charity Walks on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i and numerous Maui United Way events throughout the year.