As communities across the country observe Women’s History Month this March, it is also a time to recognize the challenges women continue to face and how the Maui Nui community is responding, carrying forward a long tradition of women supporting women. In the spring of 2016, a group of Maui-based doulas, midwives, and childbirth educators, met in the living room of one of their homes to talk about the need for a strong local network of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum professionals. This led to the first annual Labor Day Event in September 2016 and ultimately to the formation of Pacific Birth Collective (PBC), which provides crucial services to Maui families as well as professional development opportunities to its network of professionals.
Morea Mendoza, PBC’s director of leadership and operations, shared “Our board and staff are run by women. We offer many programs such as the Community Birth Project, contributing financial aid to families looking to select a birth worker of their choice, from a midwife, hospital doula, post-partum therapist, lactation specialist, etc. We also work with Medicare and the State of Hawaiʻi, trying to implement better systems so that people can have all these benefits included into their insurance as other states have.”
PBC secured a 501(c)(3) status in 2021. During the Maui wildfire crisis of August 2023, they jumped into action to support some of the most vulnerable of those affected by the fires: mothers and babies. “We knew immediately who would be left most vulnerable in the wake of such destruction,” said Mendoza. “By acting quickly to deliver supplies to these moms and families, PBC saved many lives.”
Mendoza added, “Another PBC program, Farm to Mother, is funded by the Maui County Department of Agriculture. We partner with the Maui Food Bank and various local produce farmers to provide a weekly food box program specifically designed for the nutritional needs throughout pregnancy and postpartum. We offer an online library with recipes and different types of nutritional suggestions explaining the benefits of the food. Plus, at our Haʻikū facility, we provide a wellness and education initiative including a full schedule of classes, clinics, support groups, body work, and group therapy. There are often pop-ups in Hāna, Molokai, and Lānaʻi.”
PBC reaches a wide community, and women at all stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum meet each other and become friends while utilizing PBC services. “It takes a village!” Mendoza concluded. “It’s amazing what you can do with community. We have a wonderful mix of women, children, and fathers. All are welcome!” For more information, visit online at https://pacificbirthcollective.org/.
Realizing there is not enough help for mothers and families, our organization has become the support that our founders needed when they were raising their children.
Morea Mendoza, Director of Leadership and Operations, Pacific Birth Collective
Ted and Ann Anderson started Venture Physical Therapy (VPT) in 2008. They wanted to launch a program that improved island residents’ health while also building infrastructure to train therapists to bring the highest level of care to Maui and the state. Today, VPT has three locations on Maui and one on Lānaʻi. Knowing how hard it is to attract kamaʻāina back to the islands after they complete college on the continent, the Andersons also became interested in launching an internship to support Maui County’s healthcare workforce needs.
“We’ve been developing our internship program for over 15 years,” Ted explained. “We include internships for high school students to introduce them to healthcare fields, plus, we also offer undergraduate internships for students who need clinical observation hours when applying to physical therapy school. Additionally, internships are offered for graduate students in the final rounds of their doctoral programs.”
Thanks to their commitment to local healthcare workforce development, this year the Andersons hired two new local physical-therapy graduates who both went through their VPT internship program. VPT’s winter 2026 cohort of interns will also be their largest locally-connected group ever. Three of the seven interns have a direct connections to Maui, and the others also grew up in the islands.
“We try to give interns a wide breadth of what healthcare practice and our business model look like throughout the islands,” Ted said. “When interns excel, we create opportunities for them to spend time learning specialties in our other Maui clinics. We also send them to other islands to see how we practice in more rural communities. We believe creating a well-rounded experience, where someone can truly see how they can develop a career on Maui and in Hawai’i, is essential for long-term economic development.”
Ted added, “I’ve been working with Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) through the Maui County Healthcare Partnership (MCHP), and I’ll be interacting with MEDB’s STEMworks internship program this coming summer. We share many of the same values and perspectives on internships, specifically that interns should be given real, meaningful tasks focused on helping them understand and build a career, while also learning how to train and collaborate with colleagues.” VPT is one of 35 healthcare organizations and 20 community organizations that commit to regular MCHP discussions and coordinated action, focused on priority areas like growing our own healthcare workforce here in Maui Nui.
Along with MEDB, we believe that investing in students is one of the best ways to strengthen long-term health and wellness in our community.
Ted Anderson, PT, DPT, Owner and Physical Therapist, Venture Physical Therapy
Maui resident and Sweet on Maui owner Jessica Kapoor specializes in creating locally-sourced custom cakes and a variety of desserts and chocolates. She brings a diverse background in marketing management and culinary arts to her woman-owned small business, including marketing and brand management work experience in Maui’s hospitality sector. She also sings with Maui Choral Arts, dances hula, and takes pottery lessons, all of which she feels inspires her business.
“My background helped in my transition to the culinary arts,” Kapoor explained. “I was in the UH Maui College Culinary Arts and Baking program and had teachers and mentors who helped, encouraged, and mentored me on my journey to opening a business.” She added, “I am so grateful to the Maui wedding and baking community. Together, they have helped me build a network of clients and carve a place for myself in the business.”
Now, Kapoor works out of her own commercial kitchen in Kahului and has become well-known for her Mother’s Day version of the popular Queen Emma Cake, which she calls The Queen’s Cake. “The Queen’s Cake has seven layers of guava, lilikoʻi, and coconut for all the queens in your life! It’s an all-time local favorite with its Italian meringue buttercream and local edible flowers.”
Kapoor’s team cares deeply about crafting the perfect cake for any occasion. They serve clients looking to add a touch of elegance and sweetness to gatherings and celebrations. “Whether looking for a classic cake or one that reflects the unique nature of the Hawaiian Islands, we provide the perfect recipe,” Kapoor noted. She has also expanded the bakery’s offerings to include vegan and gluten free options. “Our team works to incorporate the colors, style, and taste needed to turn a special day into a masterpiece. We also offer brownies and delicious muffins made fresh using locally sourced ingredients in the Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate Factory in Lahaina. Stop by to try some!”
Being in a small community on Maui, I think it’s important that we support each other. People in the industry have been present for me both professionally and personally, and that has meant a lot to me. We are a hui, all trying to help each other, with aloha and cake!
Jessica Kapoor, Owner and Baker, Sweet on Maui
The Chinese New Year, beginning Tuesday, February 17th, marks the Year of the Fire Horse. The beginning of the year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar is a time of celebration when you hear the traditional greeting, Kung Hei Fat Choy. This Cantonese salutation brings best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year, with an emphasis on wealth and success. On Maui, the day also provides an occasion to honor the island’s vibrant Chinese-American community.
“The fire horse is full of enthusiasm, speed, and a fiery spirit,” said Sarah Shim, president of the Kwock Hing Society in Kula, which was founded in 1900 and today continues its mission to preserve and celebrate Chinese cultural heritage on Maui. “It’s a year to take bold steps and achieve fast progress like the horse, who is energetic, independent, adventurous, intelligent, and strong-willed. The fire element intensifies the horse’s speed.”
Dr. Busaba Yip, docent of the former Wo Hing Museum on Front Street, explained, “The horse will canter its way to center stage with fresh starts, deep personal and collective rebirths, self-awareness, and new beginnings. Continuing to recover after the 2023 Lahaina fires, I have high hopes for 2026. The New Year is one of the most important and culturally meaningful experiences of the year and includes a wonderful sense of energy and customs rich in tradition.”
Festivities include family reunions, fireworks, gifted red envelopes (called lai see) with money in them, and one of the most recognizable celebrations, the lion dance. Yip shared, “Known as the ‘feeding of the lions,’ it’s always a thrill. The custom, by offering the lion a voluntary donation, is believed to bring luck and prosperity. Many of the events [on Maui] offer guests an immersive cultural experience that feels joyful, inclusive, and rooted in community.” Yip added, “The 2026 zodiac cycle of the fire horse can be seen as a year of powerful forward momentum. It brings new leadership and actions that will help build foundations for new projects and chapters in our lives.”
There are numerous Chinese New Year events throughout Maui, including:
Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center, February 16, 1pm-4pm
Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, February 18, 11am-1pm
The Shops at Wailea, February 18, 11am-1pm
Maui Mall Village, February 21, 9am-3pm
Kwock Hing Society, March 1, email kwockhingsociety@gmail.com to RSVP
The Chinese New Year, celebrated with great enthusiasm, is when families gather to honor traditions steeped in history alongside Maui’s local culture. It’s a very busy time of year!
Sarah Shim, President, Kwock Hing Society, Kula
Maui resident and marine biology PhD candidate Jessie Hoffman says she’s “always been a little fish.” Originally from Iowa, she grew up surrounded by corn and soybeans. However, her first time in the ocean, she knew she was home. “When I look out at the ocean, I see a big hug, wrapping us all up in joy and magic,” Hoffman said while explaining her work. “My dissertation title, Quantifying the physiological impacts of negative human interactions on humpback whales in the North Pacific, is based on understanding how much people impact the health of humpback whales when they become entangled in fishing gear or get struck by boats.”
With a Master of Science in marine sciences from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Hoffman was selected as a Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar in 2023 for her PhD research. The scholarship program is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support the mission of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and it’s how Hoffman ended up collaborating with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, located in Kihei. In 2024, she did a three-month field study with the whales, research that will someday help complete her dissertation.
“I’m looking at the whale’s stress hormone levels, which come from their blubber and their breath, and I’m looking at how their energy use changes when they are entangled,” Hoffman explained. “Researchers have been able to obtain and share a lot of information about entanglements and vessel strikes, a leading cause of whale injury and death. Actions such as improper disposal of gear or debris can lead to whales becoming entangled in fishing lines and nets, which prevents them from swimming, feeding, and breathing properly.”
Hoffman added, “Interacting with these marine mammals, sharing personal experiences with them, looking into their eyes and them looking back at you—there is nothing like it! Humpbacks also taught Hawaiians how to voyage. They are a direct representation of Kanaloa, a major Hawaiian god of the ocean. They are ʻaumakua [ancestral guardians] to some families. They sing the songs and provide important ‘ike [knowledge]. We need to be aware of them and what our actions are doing to them. Never leave gear or trash behind in the sea, maintain a safe distance, and please be responsible!”
Our actions and choices have an impact on the Earth and everything that lives in it, including us.
Jessie Hoffman, Marine Biology PhD Candidate, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
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.
