People who made a difference

Nominated by the people of Maui for 2015

People who made The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

a difference

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S1

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People Who Made a Difference Past and Present

2015 A Cup of Cold Water Magdalena Bajon Judge Joseph E. Cardoza Bo Mahoe Betty Ventura 2014 Capt. Timi Gilliom and members of Hui o Wa‘a Kaulua Hui O Na Wai Eha SPCA Maui volunteers Scottie Zucco Gina Marzo 2013 Maui ranchers and farmers breeding moths to fight invasive Madagascan fireweed West Maui Kumuwai Mervin “Uncle Merv” Dudoit Dennis Burns and Suzanne Burry Jack Breen 2012

Rotary Club of Lahaina Rick Cowan and the Maui Friends of the Library Maui Economic Development Board Archie Kalepa Andrea Maniago Fred Ruge 2011 Keith Regan and Lynn Araki-Regan Steve Colflesh, Albert Paschoal and Mike Kahale Continued on the next page

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New format, expanded nominations, more good people doing good deeds Maui Arts & Cultural Center; to Lehua Park Cosma (2009), who The Maui News is changing a organized an effort to bring a kidThese People holiday tradition begun 21 years ney dialysis facility to East Maui.

Who Made A couple of honorees, such as ago; we are presenting our People Lynn Araki-Regan (2000, 2011) Who Made a Difference in a sepaa Difference and Charles Hirata (1997, 2004), rate tabloid section. exemplify what And we opened nominations up have appeared on the list more than to the public this year, receiving once for work on different projects is best about more than 40 nominees to consid- or in different areas. our community.

People Who Made a Difference er. It was not easy — or perhaps They reflect even fair — to select only five. debuted on the front page of The There were some very worthy can- Maui News New Year’s Eve our better selves didates who missed the cut, as 1994. Due to production issues, and the selfless there have been every year since the feature was moved to Christthe feature first appeared in 1994. mas Day in 2013. This year, we giving of time, People Who Made a Difference are trying a special section all its money and was the brainchild of Christie Wil- own.

The list of candidates originally son, a former Maui News city edithemselves tor who currently is the features ed- was generated and voted on by the during this itor at the Honolulu Star-Advertis- news staff. But with the reductions er, with the blessing and support of in the newsroom through the years, holiday season then-Editor David Hoff, who has it was decided that the reach of the so noted staff had become too limited. So, since retired. for giving.

Wilson doesn’t remember exact- this year, a public solicitation of ly how she came up with the idea, nominees was made — with the though she recalls that the initial se- staff voting to select the five 2015 lections involved newsmakers and honorees. people who stepped up to make a Based on the list of nominees, it difference, though not always in a is wonderful to know that Maui “happy” way. Among the early hon- County is so full of individuals and orees was current Mayor Alan groups doing good works in the Arakawa (1995), who was chosen community and trying to make a for being a whistleblower at the difference. The voting was close.

Kahului wastewater treatment plant Those who did not make the top and winning a seat on the County five but are certainly deserving of Council. the honor include Harlan Hughes, Eventually, the feature evolved who has donated more than 1,000 into a “good people/good deeds” turkeys to the Maui Food Bank in thing, Wilson said. Honorees these the past decade; Sara Foley, days are selected for doing good Dorothy Tolliver and Susan Warndeeds, often outside the public er, members of the Friends of the spotlight without the need or want Library Bookmobile Committee, for recognition. who are responsible for bringing a Through the two decades, more new bookmobile to Maui; Susan than 200 Maui County residents, King and Mental Health Kokua for organizations and groups have helping thousands of downtrodden, been recognized by The Maui homeless Maui residents who have News as People Who Made a Dif- given up on life by feeding, housference. They range from the late ing and counseling them; and Mike Masaru “Pundy” Yokouchi Yasak, who has headed the Maui (1991), a Realtor and philanthro- Interscholastic League volleyball pist who led the effort to build the officials for the past 10 years.

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S2

By LEE IMADA

Managing Editor

There were many more.

The four individuals and one group selected this year are diverse, but are all connected in their support for members of the Maui community — many suffering from poverty, mental illness, drug abuse or the lasting effects of war.

The volunteers with A Cup of Cold Water seek out homeless people and provide food, water and slippers while offering comfort and caring without judgment for those who find themselves in harsh situations.

Bo Mahoe, a Vietnam veteran, speaks out for fellow veterans in need of services and helps them navigate the complex Veterans Affairs maze, and life in general.

Magdalena Bajon helps Mauians wend their way through the complex legal system on Thursdays at the Self-Help Center in Wailuku — all on her own time.

Working with volunteer attorneys, the center provides legal information for people representing themselves, many of whom cannot afford an attorney.

Betty Ventura has used her special skills to bake Portuguese bread that has not only delighted the taste buds but has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for financial aid for youths attending her alma mater, St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School.

And 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza metes out justice fairly and compassionately, keeping the community safe while supporting programs for those with drug addictions and mental illness as well as youths in trouble.

These People Who Made a Difference exemplify what is best about our community. They reflect our better selves and the selfless giving of time, money and themselves during this holiday season so noted for giving.

■ Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.

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A Cup of Cold Water

People Who Made a Difference

‘ Out of the pews and into the streets’

Past and Present Continued from Page 2

By SARAH RUPPENTHAL

Keku Akana offers some icecold water from A Cup of Cold Water’s care van.

The mobile outreach mission is a coalition of different faith groups — Episcopalian, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, nondenominatinal and several others — with a common purpose: to help those who need it most.

For The Maui News

It’s 7 a.m. on a clear and bright Saturday morning.

A trio of volunteers has gathered in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku.

With their heads bowed, they stand in a half-circle next to a tall white van. After a silent prayer, they board the van, which is neatly stocked with boxes of nonperishable food, packets of toiletries, Bibles and a large cooler filled with bottles of ice-cold water. The community care van is bound for West Maui, where it will deliver food, water, clothing and comfort to those in need.

These volunteers are part of A Cup of Cold Water, a mobile outreach mission that cares for Maui’s homeless community. An interfaith effort, A Cup of Cold Water is a coalition of different faith groups — Episcopalian, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, nondenominational and several others — with one common purpose: to help those who need it the most.

“We get out of the pews and into the streets,” said Keku Akana, president of the group’s board of directors. “Great compassion toward the poor is a mandate of all the great faiths, and we find our common ground in love for our fellow man.”

A Cup of Cold Water was founded nearly three years ago by a group of Episcopalian parishioners. Today, it has more than 60 dedicated volunteers who help between 600 and 800 people every month and between 7,000 and 8,000 people annually.

“The only program measure we really care about is that we spend real time with our poor, that we offer a listening ear, basic nourishment and hope,” Akana said. “Yes, we help refer; yes, we try to encourage them to seek housing, jobs, education, health and help . . . but for many who are prisoners in

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The Maui News MATTHEW THAYER photo

“Maui is lucky; we have so many groups that have been in the trenchMaui is lucky; we have so many groups that have es of the poverty-reality field for been in the trenches of the poverty-reality field for years before we came along — and then there’s the people who extend years before we came along —and then there’ s the themselves without fanfare from all people who extend themselves without fanfare from walks of life, faith-based or secuall walks of life, faith-based or secular. We extend our lar,” Akana said. “We extend our gratitude to all of them; they were in the foxhole gratitude to all of them; they were in the foxhole serving despair and serving despair and poverty long before us. poverty long before us.”

— Keku Akana, president of the board of directors, A Cup of Cold Water At the end of the day, the goal of A Cup of Cold Water is not to their own minds, who cannot es- toothbrushes and toothpaste, dia- solve poverty. Instead, it seeks to comfort others while looking for cape the depression and despair, pers, dog food and bottled water. the mental illness and the addic“Jesus went out and met people ways to minimize poverty.

“A touch, a hug, a willing ear, a tions, we still need to be there.” where they were, how they were, The group’s motto is “A cup of not where he wanted them to be; he kind heart, real caring — these cold water and a pair of rubba slip- fed, healed and touched,” said the things are needed just as much as pers.” Once you see what’s inside Rev. Cris South, who serves as the food, socks, soap and first aid supthe van, you’ll agree it’s an appro- public relations coordinator for the plies,” South said. “Our volunteers program. “One of the amazing care so much and the people who priate slogan.

Three mornings a week, the van things about A Cup of Cold Water we reach give all of that right back is loaded with food and supplies in is the way all of us interact with to us. . . . If we can bring some the Good Shepherd Church park- one another, whether in the van or comfort, some caring, some coming lot before it travels along one of on the street. I like to remind my- passion to just one person, it’s all three daily routes: Central, West or self that there are no small actions, worth it.”

For more information about A South Maui. At each designat- no small gestures. What seems ed stop, dozens of men, women small to me may be the world to Cup of Cold Water or to learn more about volunteer or donor opand children are waiting to gather someone in need.”

Akana is quick to point out that portunities, contact Akana at (808) what they need from the van, including nonperishable food, tow- this is — and always has been — a 264-6783 or email acupofcold watermaui@gmail.com. ■ els, rubber slippers, sunscreen, collective effort.

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S3

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2011 Volunteers with the Lanai Native Species Recovery Project Brian Kohne Janna Hoehn Dr. Melvin Burton Honokowai Kauhale residents 2010

Spencer Shiraishi, Kenji Kawaguchi, Garner Ivey and Warren Shimabukuro Jon and Maile Viela Joanne and Larry Laird Keola Eharis Rogat and Richard “Noosh” Nishihara Phoenix Dupree and 16 other Lanai residents 2009 Lance Collins and David Gierlach Lehua Park Cosma Pualani Enos Dr. William Kepler Phyllis McOmber Brian Moto Darrell Tanaka and Brian Yoshikawa 2008 John Cadman Val Vines Magee Maui Police Department juvenile investigators Tim Ellison, Ben Tolentino and Polli's Mexican Restaurant Kent Smith and Hilton Unemori Joe Pluta and West Maui Improvement Foundation Continued on Page 8

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By SARAH RUPPENTHAL For The Maui News

If you’ve ever paid a visit to St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s possible you caught a whiff of freshly baked bread wafting through the air.

For St. Anthony students, faculty and staff, it has become a familiar scent — accompanied by a familiar face: Betty Ventura. The 82year-old, affectionately known as “Aunty Betty,” has been baking her Portuguese sweet bread in the school’s cafeteria kitchen on Tuesday afternoons for the past 14 years.

Her highly sought-after “Aunty Betty’s Old-Fashioned Portuguese Sweet Bread” has done more than just satisfy carb cravings. Since she began her weekly baking ritual 14 years ago, Ventura has made thousands of loaves of bread and raised more than $350,000 for the school’s tuition assistance program.

Ventura has a special connection to St. Anthony: She is a Class of 1951 alumna and her children and a grandchild also attended the school.

“I wanted to give back to the place that made me who I am today,” she said. “I also wanted to make sure children would have access to a Catholic education, so I help how I can . . . with my bread.”

Born and raised on Maui, Ventura learned how to bake by watching her aunt and grandmother in the kitchen and reading cookbooks at the library.

“It came naturally,” she said.

“There was some trial and error in-

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Betty Ventura ‘ You get what you put into it’

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can use,’ ” she recalled. “And I started baking bread.”

The endeavor certainly raised some dough. In the space of nine years, Ventura’s bread garnered close to half a million dollars for the church.

“It was a success,” she said.

“So I decided to do it for St. Anthony, too.”

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I wanted to give back to the place that made me who I am today.

I also wanted to make sure children would have access to a Catholic education, so I help how I can . . . with my bread.

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— Betty Ventura

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Betty Ventura has been baking bread and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition assistance for over 14 years. volved, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.”

Ventura eventually put her culinary talents to good use as the kitchen supervisor at Kula Hospital

and, later, as a volunteer for Holy Ghost Catholic Church. There, she came up with a fundraising idea for the church’s restoration project.

“I told them, ‘I have a recipe we

Not long after, Ventura started baking her now-famous bread in St. Anthony’s cafeteria kitchen.

She would arrive in the early afternoon to mix and bless (that’s the secret ingredient) the dough before placing it into bread pans, which were then loaded into the oven.

The process would take several hours, but for Ventura, it was hardly a chore.

“It takes time and effort and it can be tiring . . . but it’s a happy tired,” she said.

But she’s quick to point out that it hasn’t been a solo venture. Over the years, she’s amassed a following of helpers. In addition to friends and family members, several parents

entura ve s V y t t tie Be ce in the li n u A n lo Maha ng a dif fere ony Maui! th aki for m ts at St. An den of stu

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and grandparents of students (some of whom graduated many years ago) and a group of “snow birds” from the Pacific Northwest have joined her in the kitchen.

“I’ve made so many friends because of this bread,” Ventura said.

“When we are all together, there’s magic in the room.”

It’s easy to see why. There’s the gratification that comes from working for a good cause, but there’s something else, too. Ventura is an inspiration to everyone she meets. The generosity of her spirit has touched the lives of countless St. Anthony students, teachers, staff members and parents. Ask any of her helpers, and they’ll tell you that Ventura’s giving nature has inspired them to help others.

“I couldn’t have done this without them,” Ventura said. “We are a team — I’m just the quarterback.”

Ventura’s last day of bread baking on the St. Anthony campus was Dec. 8. As she loaded the final loaves of Aunty Betty’s Old-Fashioned Portuguese Sweet Bread into the oven, a group of students, faculty and staff gathered in the kitchen to say goodbye.

Ventura said it was a bittersweet day.

“It’s time for me to let go,” she said. “I believe when one door closes, another one opens.”

She may be hanging up her apron strings for now, but her team of helpers will carry on her legacy — and she will be there to support them in any way she can.

“Whatever you do, do it with a good heart — it comes back to you,” Ventura said. “Life is like baking bread. . . . You get what you put into it.” ■

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By SARAH RUPPENTHAL For The Maui News

Long before he wore a black robe and held a gavel, 2nd Circuit Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza had a deep respect for the law.

“My first exposure to the legal profession was during my childhood,” he recalled. His mother worked for a local attorney, who Cardoza grew to admire.

“He was a wise, kind and intelligent man,” he recalled. “He helped a lot of people.”

Cardoza didn’t know it at the time, but he would soon follow in that attorney’s footsteps.

After graduating from Baldwin High School, Cardoza attended Washington State University, where he majored in economics.

During his senior year of college, he decided to go to law school.

“I was ready to go all in,” he said.

A few years later, he received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law, now known as Seattle University School of Law. Cardoza’s legal career began in 1975, when he became a deputy attorney for Maui County. Soon after, he served as a county deputy prosecuting attorney and, later, as county prosecutor. Prior to his judicial appointment, he was a senior partner of the law firm Cardoza and Fukuoka and served as president of the Hawaii Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Maui County Bar Association.

In 1999, Cardoza was appointed to the 2nd Circuit Court bench.

Then, in 2012, he was sworn in as chief judge, filling the vacancy left

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Judge Joseph Cardoza He’ s on a mission: ‘ teaching life’ Since he took the bench, Judge Joseph Cardoza has earned a reputation as a kind, compassionate and giving man — both in and out of the courtroom. He has started and maintained specialized courts that assist people with mental illnesses and drug addictions.

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If we are going to resolve a case, it’ s important to do something meaningful.

We need to get to the root of the problem and then work on solutions . . . rather than simply processing the case.

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— Judge Joseph Cardoza

The Maui News MATTHEW THAYER photo

by retiring Judge Shackley Raffetto.

Since he took the bench, Cardoza has earned a reputation as a kind, compassionate and giving man — both in and out of the courtroom.

And it’s easy to see why.

“I treat everyone with respect,” he said. “Everyone should be treated with respect, no matter what they do.”

Cardoza will tell you that behind every case number is a real person — and behind every person, there’s a story.

“If we are going to resolve a case, it’s important to do something meaningful,” he said. “We need to

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get to the root of the problem and then work on solutions . . . rather than simply processing the case.”

For that reason, Cardoza is considered by many to be a visionary leader. Among other things, he has started and maintained specialized courts that assist people with mental illnesses and drug addictions.

“If we can better serve the individual, we can better serve the community,” he said.

As a presiding judge for the Maui/Molokai Drug Court program, Cardoza has seen his fair share of success stories — a testament to the effectiveness of the program.

“I see people achieve more than they ever expected,” he said.

“Sometimes they don’t see their own potential, but I do . . . and I encourage them to see it, too.”

Cardoza also presides over a mental health court that addresses the treatment needs of defendants with serious mental illness, and he informally started a veterans treatment court, which provides resources to veteran defendants who need to turn their lives around.

“I had a veteran in my courtroom who had no sentencing options other than prison,” he said.

“That’s when I said, ‘There’s got to

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S5

be another way.’ ” Cardoza says these specialized courts speak for themselves; they are effective models of procedural justice.

“If you address the problem, you can find the solution,” he said.

“That will only happen if you work on the behavior that gave rise to the problem . . . and that’s exactly what these programs do.”

Cardoza’s judicial philosophies transcend the courtroom. He trades his gavel for a whistle to referee high school football games — something he’s done for nearly four decades.

“It’s a good way to stay in touch with the youth in our community, and it’s great fun,” he said. “The players and coaches give their heart and soul, so I want to give them the best game possible.”

True to his nature, Cardoza also ensures a level playing field.

“I like to remind people that referees, coaches and players are not adversaries,” he said. “We are all on the same mission, which is to teach life.”

And “teaching life” is what Cardoza does best. ■

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Bo Mahoe A valiant heart

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

If you bump into Bo Mahoe around town, it’s likely he will be carrying a three-ring binder filled with presentation notes, event calendars and other resources. He’s always on the go; his schedule is jam-packed with speaking engagements and other volunteer activities. “If you can help one person, that’s good,” he said, “but if you can help more, that’s even better.”

Serving Maui for over 46 years Commercial/Contract/Residential

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By SARAH RUPPENTHAL For The Maui News

Cummins “Bo” Mahoe remembers the day the draft letter arrived in his mailbox.

“It was 1970,” he said. “I’d just graduated from high school.”

That’s when his life abruptly changed course.

A few weeks later, Mahoe flew to the Mainland for Army basic training, followed by basic infantry training. Not long after, he boarded a military charter flight bound for Vietnam. There, he served in the 1st Calvalry Division as an infantry point man and later as a company clerk.

After two years in the Army, he returned to Hawaii. Mahoe, who was born in Honolulu and raised on Maui, was happy to be home.

He eventually took a job with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, a position he held for two decades. And then, in 2005, he was named postmaster of the Kaunakakai Post Office on Molokai.

“Molokai is a very special place,” he said. “It’s also very quiet. . . .There’s not a whole lot to do there.”

Mahoe decided to make good use of his downtime: He joined Koa Kahiko, a nonprofit organization made up of Molokai-based veterans.

“It’s a close-knit group,” he said.

“Our motto is ‘Molokai veterans caring for veterans.’ ” Over time, the group took note of Mahoe’s stage presence (he’s known as the “vocal local” in some circles) and asked him to emcee veterans-related events on the island. He also visited schools to teach students about the signifi-

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There are 11,000 veterans in Maui County. And it’ s my mission to help as many of them as possible.

— Bo Mahoe

cance of the Veterans Day and Memorial Day holidays.

Mahoe grew close to Larry Helm, the head and co-founder of Koa Kahiko, who died in 2013.

“Two days before he passed, I visited him,” Mahoe said. “He told me, ‘Take care of the veterans.’ ” And that’s exactly what he’s been doing.

Mahoe, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service three years ago, now lives on Maui with his wife, Karen. Retirement hasn’t slowed him down, though. In fact, he’s busier than ever.

“There are 11,000 veterans in Maui County,” he said. “And it’s my mission to help as many of them as possible.”

Among other things, Mahoe has set out to improve communication among the 20-plus active veterans groups in Maui County. He gives presentations to veterans and community groups regularly, traveling countywide to make sure veterans and their spouses know what benefits, programs and services are available to them.

“There are many veterans who aren’t aware of the benefits they are entitled to,” he explained. “So I give them all of the information they need.”

If you bump into Mahoe around town, it’s likely he will be carrying a three-ring binder filled with presentation notes, event calendars and other resources. He’s always on the go; his schedule is jam-packed with speaking engagements and other volunteer activities.

“If you can help one person, that’s good,” he said, “but if you can help more, that’s even better.”

When he’s not on the road or standing behind a podium, you can find Mahoe volunteering at Maui’s Community-Based Outreach Clinic, which is part of the VA Clinic.

He is dogged in his determination to improve services for local veterans; he’s testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding VA health care in Maui County.

“We have a diverse population with diverse needs and diverse health issues,” he explained. “I’d like to see more specialized programs for our local veterans.”

Over the years, Mahoe has seen a lot of success stories — but he says there’s still a lot of work to do.

“Somebody’s got to help the vets,” he said. “Some of them are really struggling.”

That being said, Mahoe has no plans to stop anytime soon, and he encourages all Maui County residents to help out in any way they can.

“Even if you don’t get entrenched like me, there’s always something you can do,” he said, “even something as simple as bringing a veteran to an event.”

And then there’s the easiest thing of all: an expression of appreciation.

“Veterans have given us the privileges of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Mahoe said.

“And we should never forget them.” ■

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By SARAH RUPPENTHAL For The Maui News

For many of us, Friday is the most celebrated day of the workweek. But if you ask Magdalena Bajon, she’ll tell you Thursday is the day she looks forward to the most.

That’s when you’ll find her at the courthouse Self-Help Center in Wailuku. Bajon, who is an AmeriCorps advocate, has been running the center for the past three years.

“I’ve loved working there since my first day on the job,” she said.

“It’s so rewarding.”

Bajon, along with a team of 24 volunteer attorneys, offers legal information to pro se (self-represented) litigants free of charge from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays. The center is a collaborative program of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii State Bar Association and the Maui County Bar Association. Since it opened its doors in October 2012, the center has helped more than 1,500 people navigate various civil matters.

Most often, the men and women who walk through the door on Thursday mornings cannot afford to pay a lawyer and many of them say they are bewildered by the legal system.

That’s when Bajon steps in to help.

“We do what’s necessary to help these people,” she said. “They need the right legal tools so they know what to do — and we are here to give them those tools.”

Bajon came to Maui five years ago from Poland, where she earned

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Magdalena Bajon A willing ear, a giving heart

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a Master of Law degree from the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and subsequently worked in litigation, specializing in civil actions and insurance law.

Her affinity for the law began in high school when she abandoned plans to become a doctor and chose to attend law school instead. “Law school was a fun challenge,” she said. “I appreciated the rigor — and I still do.”

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Sometimes, they really just want someone to listen to them.

And I’ m always here to listen.

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— Magdalena Bajon

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

If it is Thursday, you’ll find Magdalena Bajon behind her desk at the Self-Help Center in Wailuku. Along with a team of 24 volunteer attorneys, Bajon offers legal information to pro se (self-represented) litigants free of charge from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

Today, she works as a senior law clerk at Ivey Fosbinder & Fosbinder LLLC, and when she’s not conducting legal research in her Wailuku office, she’s using her professional expertise to help others.

At the Self-Help Center, Bajon handles the intake process — which, by all accounts, is a considerable task — every week. “Sometimes, there are up to 40 people waiting in line,” she said. “A lot of people need this service.”

Bajon said she fields questions on legal matters that run the gamut from landlord-tenant disputes and collection issues to child custody and divorce cases. For three solid

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hours on Thursday mornings, she sits down with litigants one by one, listens to their problem and then walks them through the legal process.

“Sometimes, they really just want someone to listen to them,” she said. “And I’m always here to listen.”

Bajon doesn’t give legal advice, but she does provide invaluable information. “I explain the law to them,” she said. “I give them resources to review so they can better understand the law.”

She also acts as the intermediary between the litigants and the SelfHelp Center’s network of volunteer attorneys. She helps litigants articulate their problem for an attorney who specializes in that particular area of the law. Once the attorney reviews the problem, he or she will answer as many procedural questions as possible and offer limited legal information to help litigants understand the relevant court forms and processes.

“The program works because I have people who I can count on,” she said. “It’s a wonderful group of lawyers, and I am so fortunate to work with all of them.”

Bajon said she likes to see things through to the end, which is why she follows up regularly with the men and women she’s assisted at the Self-Help Center.

“In my time there, I’ve heard a lot of success stories,” she said.

“I’ve received a lot of phone calls and emails thanking me and telling me that things worked out for the best . . . and that’s such a great feeling.” ■

If you don’t know where you come from, it can be a challenge to know who you are and in what direction you are going.

Founded in 1862, the community of Sacred Hearts School wants to thank all who have been a part of supporting our school in the past, in the present and all who will continue to support us in the future.

We each have gifts to share and the diversity of those gifts have brought significant blessings to our students and society. May God’s graces and peace surround you always.

Mission Statement: “The mission of the Sacred Hearts School community is to provide excellence in education and to nurture a life of prayer, faith and service in the Catholic tradition.”

Vision Statement: “A place where children walk with God, on their journey of learning about themselves and their world.”

239 Dickenson Street • Lahaina, HI 96761 • (808) 661-4720

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S7

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People Who Made a Difference — Past and Present, continued from Page 3 2008 (cont.)

Aloha House Crisis Mobile Outreach team David “Buddy” Nobriga 2007 Dr. Lee Miyasato, Dr. Chris Neal and Dr. Ronald Boyd, Maui Memorial Medical Center stroke specialists Ke‘eaumoku and U‘ilani Kapu Randy Awo, Hokulani Holt Save Honolua Coalition Maui Long Term Care Partnership 2006 Lillian Murakami Maui County firefighters Jo-Ann Ridao Bob and Lis Richardson The Feline Foundation of Maui Brian Yoshikawa Dorvin and Betty Leis DeGray Vanderbilt 2005 Dennis Ishii Maui Police Department Lahaina Patrol Specialized Unit Maui Fire Department Kahekili Terrace Resident Patrol Byron Ooka

2004 Maui Police Department Juvenile Section Kula Community Association Anna Palomino Police officer Joshua Haglan and Capt. Charles Hirata Clifford Nae‘ole Community Prosecutor Jerrie Sheppard and the Kalama Park Action Team Omaopio-Pulehu Neighbors Lisa Texeira Virginia Brown and the 411th Battalion Family Readiness Group 2003 Alex Baker Dale Bonar and Maui Coastal Land Trust Blossom Feiteira, Kehaulani Filimoe‘atu and Hawaii Community Assets Auriol and Ed Flavell Jane Kaleikini Nick Krau Sam Millington Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens 2002 Jan Dapitan Pat and Richard Endsley Bernard “Lono” Kalawaia Kaina

Matthew Lopez Maui County Charter Commission Barry Shannon and Kathy Collins Maui Outdoor Circle 2001 David Garner Vernon Gosney Christina Hemming Paul Kauhane Luuwai Art Medeiros Fred Rohlfing and Madge Schaefer Rick Rutiz South Maui Citizens Patrol 2000 Willie Nelson Frank Sinenci Turtle Patrol volunteers Maui Police Department Visitor Oriented Policing Unit Lynn Araki Chris Cowan and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center staff Boyd Kleefisch Judy and David Mikami 1999 Alliance for the Heritage of East Maui Dana Naone Hall and Isaac Hall Kalama Intermediate Student Council

“Malama Pono ame Mahalo to all who recognize the privilege and value in service to our community . . . together, we can make a positive difference to serve society.”

Ryan Luskin Ken Nakayama and the Molokai High School baseball team Roy Tokujo and ‘Ulalena Mercer “Chubby” Vicens 1998 Akaku: Maui Community Television staff and producers Kim Ball Cynthia Conrad Jerry Labb Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom and Willie K. David Goode Barbara Knoeppel Diane Lee Linda Lingle Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. 1997 Lt. Charles Hirata and DUI Task Force Leonard "Bully" Kapahulehua Brian McCafferty Randy Morton Wes Friewald Cathrine Puahala Barry Rivers 1996 Hannah Bernard Holy Ghost Bread Ladies Curt Hodge

Buck Joiner Judges Boyd Mossman, E. John McConnnell and Shackley Raffetto Sandra Shawhan 1995 Aimee Anderson Alan Arakawa Mike Boughton Mary Evanson Greg Davis Yvonne Friel Keali‘i Reichel Ernie Rezents Susan Scofield 1994 Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli Dr. Bobby Baker Virgie Cantorna Shay Chan Walter Dodds Jr. Everett Dowling Kaui Doyle Ian and Marc Hodges Charles Jencks Anthony Ranken Dr. Rick Sands Joseph Sugarman Art Vento Masaru “Pundy” Yokouchi

EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY – KAANAPALI GOLF ESTATES

pluta@maui.net • mauidestination.com

Joseph D. Pluta, Realty, LLC Joseph D. Pluta (R) (PB)

REAL ESTATE SERVICES & VACATION RENTALS 181 Lahainaluna Rd. #I, Lahaina, HI 96761 808.283.4533 cell 808.661.7990 ph 808.661.7992 fax

332 Aalii Way, 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, pool/spa. Appraisal priced at $1.995 Million. MLS #365794. Owner financing is available.

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Friday, December 25, 2015 – Page S8