When the “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) on August 28, 1963, Maui resident Bryant Neal was six years old. He remembers being inspired from the first time he saw footage of Dr. King delivering the speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to over 250,000 people at the March on Washington.
“The iconic speech is considered one of the most powerful and influential in American history and is widely credited with helping to secure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” said Neal. His portrayal of Dr. King in a 2002 stage production led to his annual delivery of the speech as part of the MLK holiday. Commonly known as MLK Day, the federal holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and is observed on the third Monday of January.
These yearly performances have become an opportunity for him to share Dr. King’s words, which are so powerful when spoken live, with a new generation. As a minister, Dr. King was an accomplished communicator and used his oratorical skills to share his ideas with all who would listen.
“My motivation when performing the speech is to channel Dr. King’s words with similar energy and spirit in which they were delivered by him,” Neal noted. “Dr. King’s influence was far reaching and included Hawaiʻi. He visited Hawaiʻi in 1959 when he addressed the legislature at Iolani Palace, calling Hawaiʻi a noble example of racial harmony. In 1964 he gave a major speech, Progress Toward Desegregation, to an audience of 10,000 people at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa campus during Civil Rights Week.”
Dr. King became close with the late Reverend Abraham Kahikina Akaka from Kawaiahaʻo Church in Honolulu, who sent lei made by kupuna in his congregation to the continent in support of the civil rights movement. Dr. King and other leaders wore the Hawaiian lei during the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, which were a powerful symbol of aloha and support from the islands.
Dr. King continues to be honored in Hawaiʻi, with Maui’s 2026 MLK Day celebration taking place at the County of Maui offices in Wailuku on January 19. Neal added, “a line-up of talented speakers, musicians, and community leaders came together to pay homage to Dr. King.”
Dr. King’s message was meaningful, the delivery impactful, and the experience had a life-changing effect on the world. It continues to influence hearts and minds around the globe today.
Bryant Neal, Performer and Founder, Jazz Maui
Ryan Poe, 2025 Father of the Year for Maui County and a resident of Hāna, is dedicated to his family and the Maui community. He was honored during a recent “Peace Begins with Me: Role Models of the Future” ceremony in Wailuku by County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin. Martin also presented a proclamation recognizing Maui Men’s March Against Violence Day on behalf of Mayor Richard Bissen. The annual march, which will be in its seventh year in 2026, raises awareness about domestic violence and encourages men to take a stand against it. “Real strength is not measured in control, intimidation, or fear,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. “Real strength is measured in compassion, accountability, and courage.”
Poe elaborated, “This powerful community event brought together nonprofits, faith leaders, youth organizations, and partners to stand for safe homes, healthy relationships, and a violence-free Maui. Along with my wife Ali, my children, and my community work, I hope to remind everyone that peace in our homes and communities begins with each of us.”
Walking the talk admirably, Poe is the garden coordinator for Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke, a non-profit that partners with Hāna High and Elementary School to work with over 400 students and grow over 25,000 pounds of produce annually. Poe oversees gardens, orchards, and an aquaponics system, teaching students from preschool to grade 12 about where their food comes from. Poe and his team, many of whom are former students, also care for the school’s animals, including ducks, chickens, fish, and tortoises. He’s currently working to help the school become USDA certified so students can enjoy food grown right on campus.
Poe’s impact goes beyond the garden as well. He has been honored for coaching 75+ students a year in three different wrestling seasons. As head coach for middle and high school wrestling and as a volunteer coach for the Hāna Takedown Club, he dedicates countless hours to youth mentorship and education and also contributes financially to support wrestling students’ needs. “For over a decade, I’ve coached wrestling in Hāna,” he concluded. “I try to uplift young athletes and help them reach their full potential.”
Creating a safer community starts with each of us choosing respect, kindness, and accountability in our daily lives. By modeling nonviolence and compassion, we shape the examples for future generations to follow.
– Ryan Poe, Maui County Father of the Year, 2025
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) recent quarterly Maui TechOhana presentation featured Mary Anderson, president and owner of Lāhainā Brewing Company. TechOhana meetings provide opportunities for Maui County entrepreneurs and small business owners to network and learn tips and strategies that can be applied to their own business endeavors.
Until recently, Anderson’s company was doing business as Koholā Brewing, but she has changed strategy. She explained, “To honor sense of place, we will now be doing all business under Lāhainā Brewing Company.” Before Koholā, Anderson had over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, working in product strategy and marketing. She sits on the board of directors of private tech companies, including Soundskrit and Ora Graphene, and is also a board member for Maui United Way.
Anderson shared her story of growth and rebuilding since the Lahaina wildfires destroyed the brewery in 2023. “We were a small craft brewery, with award-winning local craft beer, situated in the heart of Lahaina,” she reminisced. “Losing our brewery meant we lost both our production facility and taproom. We then reached out to Kona Brewing on the Big Island, and with their amazing partnership, all the pieces fell into place.” Anderson continued, “We reopened a new taproom and restaurant in Wailea and a taproom located in Kulamalu Town Center in Pukalani. We also continue to seek out new partnerships, including with Merriman’s restaurants, to expand our reach and product offerings.”
Anderson’s advice for entrepreneurs is, “Define yourself, what success means to you, and have a great team to work with.” She spoke not only about grit, resilience, and her business strategy, but also about the importance of community. “Be a leader with aloha,” she added. “Find a nonprofit to contribute to, form connections and partnerships, and work together for betterment. Commitment to the community is a huge part of what has made Lāhainā Brewing successful.”
Attendee Mel Lozano with Ahimsa Sanctuary Farm said, “Anderson gave valuable insights about collaboration. I appreciate TechOhana meetings and how community-focused and educational they are.” Data analyst Matthew Rosenbalm agreed, saying, “As a young entrepreneur, I also appreciated Anderson’s business strategies. She encouraged me to always keep trying. TechOhana meetings are great for marketing advice and networking. Thanks, MEDB, for events that help us succeed.” For more information about past and upcoming Maui TechOhana events, visit https://www.medb.org/techohana/.
We will support anything as long as we are solving local problems. Together, we can actually make a difference in our communities.
-Mary Anderson, President and Owner, Lāhainā Brewing Company
Maui Economic Development Board wishes you and your ʻohana a healthy and peaceful 2026! Mahalo for supporting our mission to lead and inspire innovation in business, education, and our community. Here’s to a year filled with learning, collaboration, and shared prosperity.
Maui’s own Santa and Mrs. Claus are a common sight throughout the holiday season despite the islands being over 4,700 miles away from the North Pole. “As we get older,” Santa said, “the warmer tropical weather during the blustery cold North Pole winters is much better for our health.” The festive couple explained that although their work continues all through the year on Maui, December is of course their busiest month.
Since moving to Hawaiʻi in the late 1990s, Maui’s Santa and Mrs. Claus have found the right opportunities to continue volunteering all year round. Mrs. Claus always brings Christmas cheer by cookie baking, holiday decorating, and even volunteering as a reindeer or elf for children’s events. She has contributed to the Maui community for decades, volunteering her time through activities like assisting the Maui Food Bank with distribution drives at Maria Lanakila Church, organizing food drives, and reading to children in the Read Aloud America school programs.
Santa explained, “In collaboration with the Hansen family’s Annual Toy Drive, we made our first appearance together benefitting the Friends of Children’s Justice Center. Additionally, we make appearances in the Kahului Library, the Kihei Library, the Maui Police Department’s Annual Children’s Holiday party, Hale Makua, and other places in the community.”
Always appearing in authentic vintage Christmas outfits, the couple shared, “we donate to the Maui Food Bank, have lunch at Zippy’s, fill gas at Costco, pick up Christmas cards at Target, shop for candy canes at Walmart, and visit local coffee shops. It takes people by surprise to see us out in the general public, not hired by the store, and not asking for money. We are simply humbled to have a moment with community members.”
They concluded, “The magic we bring during Christmas ignites the spark in imagination long after the holiday is over. It’s these moments of family and togetherness, smiles and laughter, that always live deep in our hearts.”
It’s a great honor to serve the Maui community at Christmas as a symbol of love and joy throughout the holiday season.
– Santa and Mrs. Claus
