New Board Officers Installed at Maui Economic Opportunity

Governor Neil Abercrombie (center) joins Maui Economic Opportunity Board Officers after presiding at their installation ceremony. (From left to right) are Kevin Yoshida, vice-president, Kai Pelayo, president; Adele Rugg, secretary; May Fujiwara representing Cliff Alakai, treasurer; and Lyn McNeff, MEO’s chief executive officer. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Economic Opportunity Board installed its new officers during the organization’s 49th Annual meeting in Wailuku on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

The new officers will serve two-year terms and include: Kai Pelayo, president; Kevin Yoshida, vice president; Adele Rugg, secretary; and Cliff Alakai, treasurer.

The luncheon ceremony was hosted by MEO’s chief executive officer, Lyn McNeff, and was attended by Governor Neil Abercrombie and other elected officials.

“This is what Hawaiʻi is all about. This is what Maui is all about. This is the aloha spirit,” said Abercrombie in an address at the gathering. “People caring about other people and doing something about it. Next year MEO will have been here for 50 years and that is a terrific achievement,” he said.

Maui Economic Opportunity is a private non-profit community action agency that provides outreach and administers human service programs to low-income, youth, elderly, immigrants, ex-offenders, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged individuals and families in Maui County.

The agency has a current operating budget of $17 million annually, and was established to strengthen opportunities in education, employment, training and transportation, as well as other areas to help individuals help themselves.