#Head Start
Hawaiian Electric teams collect toiletry and hygiene items for MEO clients
Hawaiian Electric donated to Maui Economic Opportunity a total of 150 toiletry and hygiene items, including shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and laundry soap, to be given to Head Start preschool families and Community Services clients in need.
Hirono concerned GOP budget cuts could impact vital social programs like Meals on Wheels, Head Start
US Sen. Mazie Hirono joined 46 Senate colleagues in opposing proposed Republican legislation they say would slash funding for critical social services in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy.
Op-Ed: Protect Our Keiki – Save Head Start
The CEOs of two major social service nonprofits on Maui claim the Trump Administration may eliminate a local program that offers preschool at no cost to low income families.
Council declares May Community Action Month, celebrates MEO’s 60th anniversary
Maui County’s Community Action Agency, Maui Economic Opportunity, was praised as a “second government” for its far-reaching work assisting county residents in need by Maui County Council members, who declared May as Community Action Month.
Maui Economic Opportunity lauded in proclamation celebrating Community Action Month
The nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity was praised as the county’s Community Action Agency in a proclamation declaring Community Action Month in Maui County.
MEO Head Start preschool continues to accept children for 2025-26
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program, which offers comprehensive early childhood education at no cost to income-qualifying families, continues to accept children for the 2025-2026 school year, which begins in August.
MEO Open House celebrating 60-year anniversary draws a full house
As Maui Economic Opportunity marks its 60-year anniversary this year, the nonprofit poverty-fighting Community Action Agency held an open house Tuesday, Feb. 4, attended by more than 70 government officials, including Mayor Richard Bissen; community leaders and partners; and MEO Board Members and staff.
MEO celebrates 60 years: A ‘community hub’ on Moloka‘i
Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. celebrates 60 years of service in Maui County this year. This retrospective looks at its branch on Moloka‘i where its offices across the street from Kaunakakai Elementary School became a “community hub” in its early years, according to MEO Moloka‘i Director Mahie McPherson.
Head Start to begin accepting 2025-26 applications on Feb. 1
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program, which offers comprehensive early childhood education at no cost to income-qualifying families, will begin accepting applications Feb. 1 for the 2025-2026 school year.
MEO Head Start is beneficiary of Barnes & Noble book drive
The public is invited to purchase books at Barnes & Noble Kahului and donate them to the preschoolers at Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start through Dec. 12 as part of the bookstore’s annual holiday book drive.
Head Start staffer Maile Fevella named MEO Employee of the Month
Head Start staffer Maile Fevella was named Maui Economic Opportunity Employee of the Month. Part of her job is to fill in at Head Start sites in Central, West and Upcountry Maui and Haʻikū when there are staffing shortages.
Lori Abreu reads ‘Moʻo and Koholā’ to MEO Head Start children
Author and early childhood specialist Lori Abreu read her children’s book “Moʻo and Koholā” to the preschoolers at the Maui Economic Opportunity Head Start Makawao center on Thursday.
MEO employees recognized for work with Head Start and Maui Relief TANF programs
Head Start Family Case Manager Abegael Hernandez and Maui Relief TANF Program Manager Monni Nash and were named Maui Economic Opportunity Employees of the Month for February and March, respectively, for their care and empathy with the families and individuals they help.
Hirono announces $15.9 million for Honolulu Community Action Program
The Honolulu Community Action Program will receive $15,933,000 in federal funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services to support the organization’s Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono announced.
$1.2 trillion spending package passes US House, awaits Senate approval to avert government shutdown
The US House today passed, on a bipartisan vote of 286-134, a $1.2 trillion measure to fund the government through September. The spending package was sent to the US Senate ahead of the midnight deadline and prevented a partial shutdown of the federal government.
US Sen. Mazie Hirono visits MEO Head Start Lahaina site
US Sen. Mazie Hirono visited the preschool next to Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School for about a half-hour as part of her tour of west side sites. The Lahaina Head Start site, the only preschool to survive the fires, reopened Feb. 1 after cleanup and renovations.
Attorney Caitlin Musson, Head Start parent Chanelle Dundas join MEO Board
Musson holds the Maui County Bar Association seat on the 21-member board. Dundas represents the Head Start Policy Council. The tripartite board consists of representatives of government, business and the community served by the 59-year-old anti-poverty community action agency.
MEO Head Start preschool applications available Feb. 1, 2024
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start, which offers preschool at no cost to qualifying families, will begin accepting applications Thursday, Feb. 1, for the 2024-2025 school year, which begins in August.
MEO Head Start on Maui beginning new year in wake of wildfires
The first day of preschool is set for Monday, Aug. 21, at Head Start sites at Haʻikū Elementary School, Kīhei Elementary School, Eddie Tam complex in Makawao, UH-Maui College, Wailuku Elementary School and Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center. The Lahaina center at Lahaina Intermediate School is temporarily closed.
Valley Isle Federal Credit Union, Kiwanis Club donate school supplies to MEO Head Start
Valley Isle Federal Credit Union on Thursday dropped off school supplies collected for Head Start preschoolers during a drive that ran from June 26 to July 28.
