Earlier this year, nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. announced that Debbie Cabebe would complete 26 years with the nonprofit focused on strengthening the community come July 31. In August, Executive Director Maggie Clark Batangan will assume the role.
Established in 1965 as a Community Action Agency under former President Lyndon Johnson, MEO now has more than 30 programs carried out across Maui County by over 270 staff members. According to its most recent Annual Report, MEO touched 54,780 lives between 2024 and 2025.
Cabebe, who grew up on Oʻahu in a military family, moved to Maui in her 20s and bought a lot in South Maui with her husband, Raymond.
“I really felt this sense of community,” she said of Maui. “Everybody knew everybody’s names and it felt safe. I loved the personal connections with people, which is probably why I do the work that I do.”
After working in the private sector for 20 years, she recalled seeing an ad in the newspaper for a human resources manager at MEO, “which honestly, I didn’t know anything about. I had seen their buses but didn’t quite understand what they did.”
Curiosity drove her to interview for the position, and she joined the organization in 2000. Cabebe said she helped set up systems, safety trainings and handbooks, and more, before being promoted to COO in 2011. In that role, she highlighted MEO’s efforts to streamline reporting processes and expand program offerings.
She went on to succeed then-CEO Lyn McNeff in 2017, leading the agency through the Covid-19 pandemic and 2023 Maui wildfires, connecting thousands of residents to assistance. During time of crisis, MEO administered aid directly to families through the county’s Hawaiʻi Emergency Laulima Partnership (HELP), the Maui Fires Relief Fund and The Maui Relief Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, while also providing temporary jobs via the Maui Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Workers Grant.
“We’re still helping people recovering from the fires … When the fires came we administered individual grants, paid people’s rent, cars [payments], bought new appliances, etc.,” Cabebe said, adding that expanding early childhood and youth programs across Maui County remained a priority.
“I’ve just been blessed,” Cabebe said. “I mean the people that work with me, every day, it’s like, ‘what do you need?’ And they’ll help you. We are a team. I love the organization, the people, and the mission of strengthening the community and helping people in need. It’s such a broad mission that allows us to touch so many.”
In 2025, she was honored with the Human Resources Volunteer Service Award by the Society for Human Resource Management.
When asked what she would do differently as a leader, Cabebe said, “I’d listen more.”
“I do value people’s opinions, but sometimes I’m pretty action oriented. So, I’ll get an idea and I just run, but maybe I would slow down a little bit more.”
In terms of how she saw the industry changed over time, she adds: “All the things happening at the federal level just in the last few years has made grant administration more difficult. We’re a larger nonprofit so we have good systems in place, but for smaller organizations or those just starting out, they do great work, but the reporting requirements are very arduous. We have a grant right now they want us to submit every single receipt and associated time sheet with every charge on the general ledger every month for us to get reimbursed. That’s six pages of transactions we’ve got to go pull to submit, so that we can get our funding for money we’ve already spent.”
Cabebe said because of this, they’ve had to walk away from projects. “Just because we’ve always done something doesn’t mean we’re going to keep doing it if it’s not making the biggest impact, or if it becomes so hard to manage.”
To fill the funding pukas, she implemented an annual fundraising gala that is now in its 7th year. “It’s been very successful; we have a good momentum," she said. The organization’s annual operating budget is more than $64 million.
Cabebe is readying for her next chapter come summer, which will involve travel and time spent with family.
“I will miss the clients and staff,” she said.
Batangan joined MEO as chief administrative officer in January 2021 and became executive director through Cabebe’s transition.
“When I first met her, I thought, ‘This girl is sharp and she is kind and genuine. She’s young and enthusiastic. People like her. She understands the work.’ So, I really think she’s going to do good things,” Cabebe said. “She’s building her leadership team right now. The new future leaders of MEO, and I’m excited about that.”
The MEO board of directors approved the succession plan in 2025, the nonprofit stated.
“The MEO board of directors applauds the stellar work and outstanding leadership of Debbie throughout her 26 dedicated years,” Board President Carol Reimann said in January. “Her tenure will likely be best remembered for her dedication and leadership during Covid-19 and the 2023 wildfires. Her hard work brought much needed relief quickly to those in need and fortified MEO’s reputation as an important place in the community for residents in need.”
“Maggie is cut from the same mold with a caring heart and eagerness to help struggling Maui County residents succeed. She has the board’s confidence. MEO is in good hands.”
For more information about MEO, call (808) 249-2990 or visit its website.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
