#lisa paulson

Maui Food Bank announced today that Chief Operating Officer Brandi Saragosa will step in as interim CEO following the departure of CEO Lisa Paulson, whose last day with the organization is April 15, 2026. The Maui Food Bank Board of Directors has initiated a search for a permanent CEO.

Maui Food Bank today announced that CEO Lisa Paulson will transition from her role effective April 15, 2026, as she prepares to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area to pursue opportunities focused on national advocacy.

Maui Food Bank has completed the purchase of an eight-acre parcel of land located at the corner of Kūihelani Highway and Waikō Road in Central Maui for $9.25 million. The property was acquired from Pacific Rim Land, Inc. dba Waikō Industrial Investment, LLC.

The Credit Unions of Maui recently raised $8,000 and collected more than 1,800 pounds of non-perishable food for the Maui Food Bank through their annual Food and Funds Drive.

Sentry is donating $1 million to three Maui-based nonprofit organizations in recognition of their vital contributions to community well-being, environmental restoration, and the island’s continuing recovery.

In a show of community support, six Rotary Clubs across Maui helped Maui Food Bank collect enough donations to provide 5,443 meals during this year’s Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, Nov. 15. Volunteers were stationed at every Safeway location on the island from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., encouraging shoppers to give what they could during a season of rising need.

“On Maui, 41% of households are food insecure, a 10-point increase from last year,” said Maui Food Bank CEO Lisa Paulson. “The lingering effects of the Lahaina fires, combined with SNAP cuts and the government shutdown, continue to place extraordinary strain on our community. These findings shine a spotlight on the urgent need for continued investment, compassion, and collaboration to ensure no one in Maui County goes hungry.”

Jimmy and Honey Bun Haynes were named Humanitarians of the Year by the Maui Nonprofit Directors Association at the organization’s annual meeting earlier this month.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announced the leadership of its new advisory board committees on Friday. Maui resident Lisa Paulson is chairing a committee focused on destination stewardship, Hawaiian culture and workforce development.

Gov. Josh Green, MD, today announced the appointment of 12 individuals to the reorganized Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) Advisory Board. The appointments follow the resignation of the previous board earlier this summer, after the Governor called for new leadership to address longstanding concerns over governance and alignment with state priorities.

The Maui Food Bank has announced the promotion of Brandi Saragosa to chief operating officer, effective July 1.

Maui Food Bank has named Chris Yuh its Chief Financial Officer, where he is responsible for oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting and financial analysis.

The Maui Food Bank today announced that the National Association of Letter Carriers’ 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected over 26,000 pounds of food from Maui residents on Saturday, May 10. This community-wide effort will help provide meals to local families facing food insecurity.

To further address food insecurity and expand access to fresh, nutritious foods in underserved communities, Maui Food Bank celebrated the launch of Da Mobile Market, a new mobile food distribution program. This initiative is designed to serve areas with limited access to nutritious food, including West Maui, Upcountry and Hāna, ensuring that families in need […]

Hawaiʻi Foodbank has announced a $1 million donation from the Airbnb Community Fund that will help to provide food for approximately two million meals to families, kūpuna and keiki in need across the islands.

September marks Hunger Action Month—a time to raise awareness about hunger, advocate for change, and take meaningful action to combat food insecurity. This year, the significance of this month is particularly profound for us here on Maui. In the wake of the devastating wildfires, the demand for food assistance has surged by over 65%, pushing our community to the brink.

This September, Maui Food Bank joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month to raise awareness about hunger and inspire people to take action. Since the Maui wildfires, the demand for food has increased by over 65%, according to organization leaders. 

Following a comprehensive search, Maui Food Bank has named Lisa Paulson as chief executive officer, effective Aug. 19, 2024. The appointment comes at a critical time as the organization addresses a 65% surge in food insecurity needs due to the recent Maui wildfires.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association has distributed a total of $1,559,449 to 59 nonprofit beneficiaries of the Maui County Charity Walk.  

Fifty-nine Maui County nonprofits will share $1,559,449 raised during the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s annual Maui County Charity Walk that happened last May.