Maui Non-Profit Director’s Issue 2015 Awards

John W. Hoxie, Jr. of the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center (left); Rick Volner Jr. of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (middle); and Laks Abraham of Maui United Way (right). Photo courtesy MEO.

The Maui Non-Profit Directors Association selected winners of its annual Legislative Pau Hana awards event held on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center.

The association represents more than 55 Maui non-profits and provides a recognized forum for non-profit organizations to exchange personal and professional support and to cultivate resources to benefit themselves, their organizations and the community of Maui.

The Maui Non-Profit Directors Association issued its humanitarian award to John W. Hoxie, Jr, with the Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center.

Organization representatives say his leadership in 2005 was instrumental in purchasing the 25-acre estate, helping to raise $5.5 million by meeting with countless donors and securing $500,000 from the state to save the historic estate.

Other nominees in the category included: Daniel “Dan” Smith with the Habitat for Humanity Maui Restore; and Priscilla Veilleux of Maui Mediation Services.

The Maui Non-Profit Business of the Year award was issued to Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company.

HC&S has donated nearly $500,000 to non-profits on Maui. Their new Community Initiative was started in 2014 to support grass root community efforts and great ideas, both large and small.  Now in its second year, the HC&S Community Initiative has awarded over $150,000 to Maui nonprofits and community groups.

Also nominated in the category was Chambers and Chambers Wine Merchants, nominated by Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center.

The final award for Non-profit director went to Laks Abraham of Maui United Way, who was nominated for the honor by board members.

In the nomination application and her letters of support, Abraham is acknowledged for her leadership skills and dedication to the mission of the organization. Most notably, Abraham is credited with approaching her board members about facilitating a task force of partner agencies and volunteers to help renovate the Women Helping Women Shelter.

One letter stated, “It was Laks inspiration and leadership that rallied partners and volunteers to form a task force and commit to this enormous task.”

Others nominated in the category included: John Anderson of Nā Hale O Maui, nominated by board president, Dawn DeRego; Candice Carter of Nā Haʻaloha, nominated by board and staff members; Alexis Dascoulias of Maui On stage, nominated by Judy Halp; Caroline Kilborne of Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center, nominated by the Hui Board of Directors; and Stacy Moniz of Women Helping Women, nominated by Danielle Bergan.

Nominations were reviewed by a panel of independent judges that included: Grant Chun of Alexander and Baldwin; Bard Peterson of First Hawaiian Bank; and Jordan Hart of Chis Hart and Partners.