$950K Released for Easter Seals’ Maui Campus

Easter Seals, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $950,000 in capital improvement grant funds to Easter Seals Hawaiʻi for the completion of its Maui campus in Kahului.

“This worthy project will provide a safe and secure environment for children and adults of all ages with an array of quality programs offered by Easter Seals Hawaiʻi in partnership with Imua Family Services,” said Abercrombie in a press release.

Easter Seals Hawaii Maui Campus rendering. Courtesy image.

“The campus will also function as a resource for disability-related services and support groups throughout the Valley Isle,” he said.

State Senator Gil Keith-Agaran of Maui who advocated for the funding through the Legislature issued a statement saying, “Easter Seals offers valuable services to persons with disabilities so they may live, learn, work and contribute to society. Everyone regardless of disability should be afforded the opportunity to succeed.”

State officials say the organization completed the first phase of development in August 2012, in an effort to meet the need for disability services for Maui.

Phase II will consolidate the organization’s Medicaid Waiver Adult Day Health and Community Support Services programs with children’s programs at Imua Family Services, the announcement said.

Easter Seals Hawaii Maui Campus rendering. Courtesy image.

The project reportedly calls for the renovation of a 10,200 square foot, two-story building adjacent to the Easter Seals Hawaiʻi Service Center.

The building that will undergo renovations was the same one that was involved in a fire in July 2013. It is located on the Easter Seals Campus and was previously used by Maui Land & Pineapple Company as offices.

According to the governor’s announcement, the additional space and facilities will enable the nonprofit to expand activities and help support the 2,500 adult population and more than 1,900 special education students enrolled in the Department of Education schools on Maui.