Hui Malama Learning Center of Maui - An overview. from Wade Robson on Vimeo.

Hui Malama Learning Center of Maui - An overview. from Wade Robson Creations on Vimeo.

For the past 40 years, Hui Malama Learning Center (HMLC) has provided educational services to approximately 25,000 Maui County residents, most of them at-risk youth.  HMLC’s academic programs target Maui’s at-risk youth (ages 11-24), many who live in single parent households or with extended family or foster placements. In addition, HMLC also serves some students from privileged, two-parent households that lack the structure, guidance and support associated with high academic expectations and aspirations. Critical indicators impacting their lives include: negative educational experiences (e.g. poor attendance caused by peer bullying/degrading treatment by teachers, suspension, learning styles that are nonresponsive to current instructional methods, special educational needs, and/or lacking fundamental numeracy and literacy skills), lack of close parental supervision, substance abuse, violence and criminal behavior, family violence, or parents with serious health or mental health issues.  Hui Malama's overall client base represents the diversity of our island's overall population with students whose ancestry includes European/Caucasian, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Asian, Filipino, Latin American, Pacific Islander, African American, Micronesian, and other Pacific Islanders.  

Hui Malama’s Vision is that all Maui youth have access to effective and meaningful learning experiences that prepare them to positively contribute to Maui’s social, economic, cultural, and environmental condition.  Our Mission is to inspire, nurture, and empower students to pursue careers that bolster our islands’ economy, increase self-reliance, and provide for future generations.   Emphasizing project-based learning and youth engagement strategies that develop the whole person, Hui Malama cultivates students’ unique talents, intelligences and character.  Through a social-entrepreneurial approach and leveraging resources through partnerships, Hui Malama demonstrates a Non-Profit Social Impact Model that is organizationally sound, fiscally responsible, and sustainable.  

In the past year, Hui Malama has changed the course of the future for over 160 adolescent youth in Maui County and Hawaii Island.  Hui Malama inspired and empowered caregivers who were previously hopeless and exhausted to believe in the capability and potential of their children.  Last year, 97% of students with long histories of absenteeism and truancy increased attendance and 87% stayed in school.  89% of students moved to the next grade or graduated, despite coming to Hui Malama at least one-grade level behind in at least one subject.  92% of students explored career opportunities and 84% participated in work-based activities during school and non-school hours.  88% of students and parents participated in community education and/or service activities during non-school hours.  After obtaining a GED, 95% of students enrolled in higher educational or secured a job, many did both.  During our initial efforts to contact GED and Middle school alumni, we have identified 15 students who completed college, and 1 who attended law school. These students are all successfully employed, 95% on Maui.  Students have stayed in school at HMLC because they have built connections with our teachers, guest speakers, and employer mentors.  Local farmers have been able to share their expertise and varied methodologies.  Students have been introduced to natural resource management experts willing to design projects so that we may better understand the short and long term cost analysis of businesses using the quadruple bottom line.  Our whole food program has changed the way our students and their families connect with food --where and how it is grown, how and with whom food is prepared, and how we take care of the natural resources that make it all possible.  We have assisted in building gardens that significantly increase accessibility and exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables throughout our community.  Families who were experiencing underemployment, poverty, homelessness and other social difficulties planted gardens, grew their own food, and prepared and ate meals as a family for the first time in a generation. For many years, we have served those students whose needs have not been successfully addressed in the Public School setting.  For the past five years, we have worked diligently to build relationships with middle and high schools on Maui, to increase awareness of our program, and this year we were successful in supporting several students to complete credits and do remedial work during suspensions, health related leaves or chronic absenteeism to return to public school thereby reducing drop-out rates and increasing likelihood of graduating with their class. This success can also be attributed to close working relationships with Maui Police Department, and the Probation and Family Courts to address chronic absenteeism, mental health and emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse issues.

Board Members

Board President: Sandy Ryan

Vice President: Dave Gorman

Treasurer: Vanessa DeLima

Secretary: Derek Snyder

Director: Nancy Bulosan_marvin

Director: Alix Buchter

Director: Scott Obley

Director: Peter Neiss