MEO Gala goes on despite the weather; more than $150,000 raised

The recent drenching rains took a respite Saturday evening as 260 attendees gathered at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center to honor state Sen. Troy Hashimoto at Maui Economic Opportunity’s 7th Annual Gala, the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The Kona storms did force MEO to move the fundraiser from its traditional home, the King Kamehameha Golf Club, which was damaged by flooding, to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center a couple of weeks before the event.

“We owe much gratitude to Art Vento and the MACC team for graciously stepping into the void and helping us save the Gala,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. 

She also thanked Vento, the president and CEO of the MACC, for encouraging attendees to Raise the Paddle for donations to MEO and to bid on vacation packages – throwing in some MACC enticements. He was assisted by emcee Kathy Collins.

An estimated $155,000 was raised by the Raise the Paddle donations, bidding on vacation packages and sponsorships, said Cabebe.

The top sponsors at the Sustainer Level were Highridge Costa and Atlas Insurance with Moe Mohanna and Carol Davis offering remarks, respectively. The other generous sponsors follow:

• Partner – HMSA.
• Advocate – AlohaCare, Bank of Hawaii, Bayer US Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank, Goodfellow Bros, Inc., Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Petroleum, ILWU Local 142, John & Jean Min Trust and Maui Soda & Ice Works, Ltd.
• Supporter – Alexander & Baldwin, Equitable, Hale Mahaolu, Hale Makua, IBEW, Local 1186, Maui Health, Munekiyo Hiraga, Soderholm Bus & Mobility and SR Partner, LLC.
• ‘Ohana – Boyd Gaming Corporate, HEMIC, Hogan Consulting and Maui Economic Development Board.
• Donor – Scott Okada, Fun Friends of Troy Hashimoto, Troy Hashimoto Friends and Friends of Tyson Miyake.

While the Gala raised funds for MEO, tributes to Hashimoto took center stage. He has been Central Maui’s 5th District Senator since November 2023 after serving five years in the state House, representing the 10th District.

Speakers took the stage to describe Hashimoto’s growth, throwing in some gentle “roasting.” Former Council Member Mike White talked about hiring the young Hashimoto to lead his office. Colleagues state Rep. Kyle Yamashita of Upcountry and Greggor Ilagan of Hawaiʻi Island described the driven young man who worked on the family’s persimmon farm as a youth. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke sparked laughter with her unique take on the young “skinny” state senator from Maui.

Speaker of the state House Nadine Nakamura also was in attendance as was Mayor Richard Bissen and Council Members Kauanoe Batangan, Tom Cook, Alice Lee and Yuki Lei Sugimura.

Hashimoto thanked those in attendance, including his parents Mr. and Mrs. Noel Hashimoto, lauded the work of MEO and vowed to continue his efforts to keep residents home and not have to move away.

While the spotlight was on Hashimoto, many speakers also applauded Cabebe, who attended her last Gala as MEO CEO. She will be retiring at the end of July, with Maggie Batangan assuming the role of CEO on August 1.

“These are difficult times for nonprofits, especially with all the funding cuts,” said Cabebe. “Money raised at this Gala will help struggling residents stay in their homes, keep the lights on, get to important health appointments and shopping at the markets and send their children to preschool.

“Thank you to our sponsors and donors. We will continue the work of the last 61 years: ‘Helping People, Changing Lives’ in Maui County.”