Maui Economic Opportunity Transportation Director Patty Copperfield was recognized Thursday night as one of Hawaiʻi’s best and brightest young leaders, earning a spot on Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.

The 40 honorees represent some of Hawai‘i’s top nonprofits, such as Hawai‘i Community Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center, and companies, including Matson Navigation, Hawaiian Host Group and Hawaiian Telcom. They were feted at an event at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. 

In May 2021, the 30-year-old Copperfield was chosen to lead MEO’s largest department with 90 employees and 100 buses. MEO operates Maui County’s Maui Bus Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit and Human Services systems, which provide hundreds of thousands of rides each year to doctor’s appointments, dialysis, employment, shopping and events. Riders include persons with disabilities, kupuna, youth and residents from low income households and in rural areas outside of Maui Bus routes.  MEO is the only public transportation system on Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi and East Maui.

Copperfield understands her riders firsthand and the vital lifeline her buses provide. She grew up in the rural areas of the county through which MEO buses run, including Kaupō in East Maui and Kamalō on Moloka‘i.

Her father, who passed when she was 7 years old, was the kind of rider MEO transports daily. He had a visual disability, using a walking cane and reading by Braille, and later in life required dialysis.

She and her single Mom relied on MEO’s Moloka‘i rural shuttle to get Copperfield home safe and sound.

MEO’s 40 Under 40 honoree has had to manage a couple of crises on her watch. MEO Transportation provided rides during the COVID-19 epidemic to the county’s most vulnerable population. In the wake of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, MEO buses joined a caravan transporting visitors and residents out of the west side and continue to provide rides to those impacted by the wildfires.

Her resume includes serving on the Maui County Commission on Persons with Disabilities, being a member of the Community Transportation Association of America and being a 2023 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow.

“Her consistent reliability, energy and intellect are evident in her impactful achievements,” said Maui County Transportation Director Marc Takamori in a letter of recommendation. “As a trusted partner, her wisdom extends beyond her years. . . . With her continuous learning mindset, Ms. Copperfield is sure to flourish and make significant contributions in the future.”

“We are so proud of Patty,” said CEO Debbie Cabebe. “She has shown great promise at such a young age and has earned the confidence of MEO leadership and her staff. Her future is bright, which bodes well for MEO’s future as well.”

Hale Mahaolu, a nonprofit affordable housing provider, today announced that Anders Lyons has been appointed executive director of the organization. Lyons previously served as the nonprofit’s board president. Hale Mahaolu, which has a portfolio of 13 properties with more than 1,000 units of affordable housing, also announced that its executive director, Grant Chun, will retire and that Trevor Tokishi has been named board president.

“We are very excited that Anders and Trevor are taking on new leadership roles at Hale Mahaolu,” said Chun. “During their many years on our board, both have demonstrated their commitment to our mission of providing affordable housing on Maui. As executive director, Anders brings a strong background in project management, land use planning, and nonprofit leadership that will serve Hale Mahaolu well as the organization continues working to support our community.”

Lyons previously served as a consultant at Kapalaea Consultants, where his work included guiding clients through complex approval processes at state and county agencies. Prior to that, he was executive director of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and held leadership positions at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Lyons, who was born on Maui, is a past board president of the Rotary Club of Kahului.

“I am grateful to Grant and the board for the opportunity to deepen my relationship with Hale Mahaolu and continue working with the team to build quality affordable housing on Maui,” said Lyons. “The need for housing has never been greater – and we are proud to be part of the solution.”

Hale Mahaolu is currently engaged in the planning, entitlement and funding for an additional 450 units of affordable housing on Maui, including Liloa Hale in Kīhei, a 117-unit senior housing property scheduled to begin construction this month. Other upcoming projects include Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua in Waiheʻe and Aikanaha in Waikapū.

“Grant is leaving Hale Mahaolu in a strong position,” said Trevor Tokishi, who served as first vice president of Hale Mahaolu’s board prior to being named board president. “During his tenure, Hale Mahaolu opened hundreds of affordable homes for Maui residents – and began work on hundreds more units, currently in our pipeline. On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank him for his success leading the organization and his longstanding commitment to serving our residents and community.”

Chun, who served as the organization’s executive director since 2017, oversaw a period of significant growth for Hale Mahaolu. He led the development, acquisition, and opening of properties comprising more than 350 units of affordable housing. This included constructing and opening Hale Mahaolu Ewalu in Pukalani; opening Kulamalu Hale in Pukalani; acquiring Lokenani Hale in Wailuku; and opening Kahului Lani for Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi and Huliau for the County of Maui in Kahului.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of Hale Mahaolu’s long history of providing quality housing and supportive services for our neighbors in Maui County,” said Chun. “I know that with Anders and Trevor at the helm, the Hale Mahaolu team will continue to have great success serving our community.”