Important Dates

New Year Day

Board Meeting Martin Luther King Jr. Day

President’s Day

13th Annual Golf Tournament Board Meeting

Prince Kuhio Day

Programs for adults with disabilities

Job assessment, placement, coaching and long-term support Adult day program through Medicaid Waiver Program

Internal employment through grounds and custodial services

For more information about our programs and services visit our website at www.kalimaomaui.org or contact us at 808-244-5502

KA LIMA O MAUI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Jorgensen - President Alexa Higashi - Vice-President Cindi Pojas Smith - Secretary

Shaun Thayer - Treasurer Cally Adams, DDS - Patricia Blackburn - Tracey Dorheim, MD - Debbie Genobia

Diane Haynes-Woodburn - Jimmy Jones - Wayne Maeda -

Lydia Sheets - Larry Stubblefield

Alvin Yoshimori

Ka Lima O Maui is a private Not-For-Profit organization founded in 1955 serving adults with disabilities and/or who are economically disadvantaged. Our mission is to "Enhance Lives Through Self-Reliance" through employment programs and living skills.

January 1, 2019

January 16, 2019

January 21, 2019

February 18, 2019

February 23, 2019

March 20, 2019

March 26, 2019

Walaʽau (Talk Story)

December 2018

2018 Annual Meeting November 15 at Velma Mc Wayne Santos (Wailuku) Community Center

“Enhancing Lives

Through Self-Reliance”

Since 1955

An Annual Meeting of a Non-Profit Organization is the most important meeting of the year. It is also the opportunity for the agency to BRAG about all of the great things it is doing and the chance to recognize those who help make it all possible. KLOM Annual Meeting had much to brag about and many people to recognize. It included several consumers with disabilities acting as Masters of Ceremonies throughout the event, special guest speakers, Senator Roz Baker and Mayor Alan Arakawa (and special appearance by Mayor elect, Mike Victorino). Awards included:

Ambassador of the Year – Jimmy Jones Contract of the Year –Maui Soda and Ice Works Employer of the Year – Foodland Pukalani Staff of the Year – Debbie Wanderscheid Waiver Participant of the Year – Brandon DeCambra Job Placement of the Year – Dominic Gawrichevsky Custodial Employee of the Year – Jonah Wun Grounds Employee of the Year – Romeo Visitacion See Page 3)

Employer of the Year—Pukalani Foodland

From the Executive Director

~ Chantal Ratte

New Service Contracts: This past quarter we want to thank the following for giving us the opportunity to serve them: AA Oceanfront – grounds services

Oshiro Residence – grounds services

Bauss Residence – grounds services

Pro-Built Maui – grounds services

Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission – grounds services

Word from the Executive Director:

The last quarter of the calendar year is always so fulfilling to Ka Lima for many reasons. Events like our Staff Development training, Job Fair and Annual Meet-ing remind me of the importance of our mission and the impact we have in our community. The Annual Meeting is my favorite event by far as it showcases the success of our consumers and gives them the oppor-tunity to share their perspective with our community supporters. Enjoy the recap of each event in this edi-tion of our newsletter put together by Darby Gill who is back to work at Ka Lima O Maui after 16 years!!!

Annual Job Fair

“Over 30 employers met with over 200 enthusiastic appli-cants” (See Pg 10)

Staff Development Training

“On October 8th, Ka Lima held our annual Staff dDvelopment train-ing” (See Page 10)

Congratulations to the following workers for

Coming to Work every day Scheduled!!!

Perfect Attendance

Honor Roll

Benjamin’s Team

Jason Sugahara

Meeja Gaza

Pedrito’s Team

Edward Kanoho

Karol Pastor Lloyd Neizman

Jamie’s Team

Kepano Panela

Lloyd Neizman

Al’s Team

Kanale Medeiros

Sharon Kimoto

Billy Tagay

Nancy’s Team

Romeo Visitacion

William Kaahanui Sam Cabalo

Margaret Team

Crystal Nunes

Conrad Domingo

Aaron’s Team

Joemar Dichosa

Mark’s Team

Jason Sugahara

Kamaile’s Team

Alan Bantilan

Kevin Matillano

Juan Martinez

Elsie’s Team

Nathan Rosberg

Kasey Palau

Carl’s Team

Kepano Panelo

David Lynch

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

GOOD JOB!!!

Birthdays

Kamaile Kimokeo October 1

Al Harris-Lau October 11

Kasey Palau October 12

Rosario Agpaoa October 12

Karl Pastor October 21

Jason Sugahara October 22

Sharon Ferrell October 24

Wade Balinbin October 26

Clyde Kaea October 29

David Lynch October 30

Benny Yoro October 30

Conrad Domingo November 1

Dan Honma November 1

Eva Alejo November 3

Anna Jakeo November 4

Esther Yap November 7

Jacque Kamai October 7

Claudia Rosenbaum November 9

Juan Martinez November 13

Keenan Takehaa November 18

Aida Domingo November 19

Maria Mcaneny October 19

Brandon DeCambra November 20

Lloyd Neizman November 20

Nancy Edelhertz November 20

Kiley Smith November 26

Chante Akana November 28

Jennifer Galicinao November 29

Ed Lomeli December 2

Patrick Domingo December 6

Jemille Tabon December 10

Brian Bantilan December 14

Romeo Visitacion December 15

Aaron Kaawa December 19

Ikaka Gomes October 19

Elmer Baluran December 22

Jared Gerard December 29

Annual Meeting Awards

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

Ambassador of Year—Jimmy Jones Contract of the Year—Maui Soda & Ice

Custodial Employee of Year- Jonah Wun

Staff of the Year - Debbie Wanderscheid

Grounds Employee of the Year - Romeo Visitacion

Job Placement of the Year Dominic Gawrichevsky

Waiver Participant of Year - Brandon DeCambra

Welcome to Ka Lima O Maui

Ikaika Gomes is a new worker with Carl’s Crew doing janitorial. He went to Baldwin High School and has a great work attitude. He says, that he is “always in the mode to do my job right.” He enjoys hanging with his brothers and playing the ukulele.

Jacqueline “Jacque” Kamai is a new worker in Mark’s Crew at TSA. She used to work at Lowe’s and went to Maui High School. Jacque enjoys sketching, songwriting, singing and dancing. She lives in Wailuku with her family.

Alicia Lee Cordeiro Garcia Flores is the newest member of Al’s Crew on the South Side. She is a graduate of Lahainaluna High School and lives in Kihei.. She is married and the loving mom of four children.

Josiah Jacinto lives in Wailuku and went to Baldwin High School. He joined one of our Janitorial Crews and was referred to us from Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) He once won an award for being the Best Dodgeball Player.

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

Welcome to Ka Lima O Maui

We welcome Alrinemaria (Al) Harris Lau back to Ka Lima O Maui! Formerly employed by the US Postal Service for 25 years, she lives in Kahului and enjoys her 7 grandchildren. She works on the South Side and enjoys helping the workers. She is glad to be back since she missed the clients. We are glad to have you back too AL!!!

Keeanu Takahara is a new Fill-In Supervisor. He comes from Wailuku and calls working at KLOM a “Good Experience” because he likes helping people. He used to work in dry wall and in his free time, likes to work on cars and trucks, go fishing and spending time with his Family. Welcome to the Ka Lima O Maui Ohana Keeanu!!!

Kim O’Neill-Sturdavant is the new Employment Specialist for Ka Lima O Maui. Several years ago her husband, Mark, joined the Ka Lima O Maui team as a Crew Supervisor. Through Mark, Kim attended sever-al events and became familiar with the agency’s mis-sion while building relationships with some of the clients. She soon was hooked so when an opportuni-ty to join the team was presented, she was excited to become a member of the Ka Lima O Maui Ohana. Welcome aboard Kim!!!

We also welcome Darby Gill back to KLOM. Darby worked for us for over 20 years running the plant nursery, a horticultural therapy program. Later he founded and ran Fun Day Foundation which sponsored AKeiki’s Dream Program, Sam-my’s Keiki Aloha Fund and Fun Day Programs. He likes to stay fit and is often seen swimming at Sakamoto Pool or running and juggling (joggling) in Kahului.

Chantal Ratte named Outstanding Executive Director of the Year. We are so happy to announce that our own Chantal Ratte won the Maui Non-Profit Director’s Award for the Outstanding Executive Director of the Year. The Maui Non-profit Directors Association held its annual meeting and leadership awards ceremony on October 11 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Cen-ter. Not surprisingly, Chantal’s response to the award was as hum-ble as our great leader, “ The world of business survives less on leadership skills and more on the commitment and dedication of passionate employees.”

Congratulations Chantal for this deserving recognition and for all that you do for all of us in the Ka Lima O Maui Ohana.

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

Waiver by Keri Pasion-Salas

We said Aloha to two of our longtime friends Johnny Gomes and Gertrude Akuna. Both of these individuals brightened up any room with their cheerful and contagious smiles. We will miss them both.

Heard at the Waiver Building…

We celebrated Brandon DeCambra’s accomplishments as he won the honor of Waiver participant of the year!! (Page 3)

December was filled with cheer as we celebrated with our friends and Santa! We ended the year with a bang! The participants enjoyed a popper filled afternoon complete with a toast!

We had a very busy 2018! Mahalo nui loa to everyone who has supported our Waiver program and we look forward to an exciting 2019!!

Say hello to our newest addition “Vida”, she is a service dog who is in training.

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

Myths about hiring individuals with disabilities

By Kim O’Neill-Sturdavant

Employers are starting to realize that an inclusive environment and diverse teams are better for business. However, a job in itself is not enough. There has to be an emphasis on customized em-ployment that matches the interests of the company with those of the individual. It is clear that hiring people with disabilities is not a charitable act but makes good business sense. People want to work, so creating opportunities for them will break down the misconceptions of what that entails, and will strengthen our economy and foster a stronger sense of community. Focus on ABILITY rather than the disability.

Myth: Employees with disabilities are less productive than their col-leagues. Fact: Research shows no job performance difference between employ-ees with disabilities and their non-disabled counterparts.

Myth: Employees with disabilities will be a burden to other employees without disabilities. Fact: Research shows that inclusive workplaces are better, more ener-gizing places to work and are actually more profitable over the long-

run. It has been found that 70 percent of young individuals aged 18 to 26 say a company’s commitment to the community, including the hir-ing of a diverse workforce, has an influence on their decision to work there.

Myth: Employees with disabilities have a high absentee rate. Fact: Studies have shown that employees with disabilities do not miss work anymore than their colleagues without disabilities. Rather, it has been found that employees with disabilities tend to have a better attendance record than their non-disabled co-workers.

Myth: Another team member will always have to help an employee who has a disability. Fact: Employees with disabilities who receive the necessary train-ing may not require any more help than their non-disabled counter-parts. For the most part, individuals with disabilities have adapted to the challenges that their disability might bring to their lives and are able to complete their work without any assistance. Ka Lima O Maui assists with Job Coaching!

Ka Lima O Maui strives to promptly correct errors or make clarifications on information ap-pearing in our quarterly newsletter. To report an error or clarification, please send an email to Darby@kalimaomaui.org or call us at 244-5502.

Annual Job Fair

On Thursday October 18th, Ka Lima O Maui hosted its 7th Annual Job Fair at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. Over 30 employers gathered to meet over 200 enthusias-tic applicants looking for work. Employers present ranged from small local companies to big national chain stores. The event provides opportunities for networking, mock interviews, and of course employment prospects for both employers and job seekers.

On October 8th, we held our annual staff development training that consisted of Debbie sharing the importance of taking care of our mental health and good habits to lead a balance lifestyle. This was followed by an energetic tournament of Laser Tag with the staff divided into teams. The activity, led by Maui Laser Tag, proved to be highly entertaining and competitive, revealing sometimes, unexpected individual traits.

Staff Development Training

“Enhancing Lives Through Self Reliance since 1955”

Salvation

Army Kokua in

December at Safeway

Canoe Paddling With Kihei Canoe Club

Waiver Center Community Activities

Halloween and pumpkin fun at Kula

Country Farm

Every year in a quiet way, one of the kindest Christmas Celebration takes place at SARENTO'S ON THE BEACH (https://sarentosonthebeach.com/) when owner, Aaron Placourakis, hosts the clients and workers of Ka Lima O Maui for their annual Christmas luncheon. Mahalo to Sarento's On the Beach for this awesome Christmas gift.

“...owner, Aaron Placourakis, hosts the clients and workers of Ka Lima O Maui“