Aloha House and MYFS awarded BOH grants

By Wendy Osher

(L to R): Kevin Baptist, SVP Regional and Island Manager, Maui County; Dr. George Carlson, Aloha House/MYFS Board President; Jud Cunningham, CEO; and Curtis Tom, VP and Kahului Branch Manager. Courtesy photo.

The Bank of Hawaii issued grants totaling $7,500 to two Maui groups. Aloha House is the recipient of a $5,000 award that will be used for information technology upgrades. Maui Youth & Family Services (MYFS) received $2,500 for building renovations to its Ka Pono facility, the only outpatient substance abuse treatment program for adolescents on Maui.

The Aloha House grant is designated to upgrade computer workstations, software and phone systems. The upgrades are expected to improve collaboration and enhance the staff’s ability to share secure information. In 2008, Aloha House served 231 clients in its residential services, 259 in intensive outpatient services, 294 in outpatient services and 38 in transitional living services.

“Aloha House is an important community resource in helping to create better futures for Maui residents dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues,” said Bank of Hawaii Senior Vice President and Maui Island Manager Kevin Baptist.

“We are grateful to Bank of Hawaii to help us upgrade our technology, thereby improving our responsiveness to clients, accountability and overall productivity and cost efficiency,” said Aloha House Chief Executive Officer/MYFS Board President, Jud Cunningham.

The grant for MYFS will be used for renovations at the agency’s Ka Pono Building, which was originally part of the McNichol’s estate on Baldwin Avenue. The facility serves as the hub for the agency’s outpatient substance abuse treatment program for adolescents on Maui. In 2009, the program provided services to 70 Maui youth at the Ka Pono building.

“The Bank of Hawaii grant for our Ka Pono building comes at a critical point as the building, which was built in the 1920s, needs extensive repair and upkeep,” said Cunningham.