The plans were announced Friday night before approximately 700 people attending an MEO fundraising dinner at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, The Maui News reported. Estimated to cost $9 million, the new MEO transportation center has already received $1.2 million from the state and $400,000 from Maui County.

During the dinner, which honored U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and state Rep. Joe Souki, the audience heard videotaped expressions of support for MEO from Akaka and U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Originally identified by MEO as a likely location for a baseyard, the land on the Kahului side of the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.'s Puunene sugar mill will allow MEO to consolidate all of its transportation operations at a single site. The location will include bus storage and a passenger transfer station, a maintenance facility, a bus washing and fueling station, and administration offices.

The project would accommodate the agency's expected growth for the next 20 years.

Maui County Council Chairman Riki Hokama, who also chairs MEO's board of directors, said A&B's donation of land for the project has given it a tremendous boost.

"While we still have the challenge of raising the funds needed for construction, our land-acquisition costs have been kept to a minimum, thanks to the generosity of A&B," he said. "That helps all of our clients, which represent some of Maui's most vulnerable citizens."

A&B Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Allen Doane said his company welcomed the chance to help MEO in its efforts to expand services for Maui residents.

"When MEO approached us about acquiring this site, we recognized the importance of this location to MEO, and the importance of MEO to this community," he said.

"So, what began as an agreement to provide 5 acres to MEO, at a significantly discounted price, today has been augmented with the outright donation of an additional 5 acres."

According to MEO, the land deal equates to the donation of about 7.5 acres, given today's market prices for land.

"Puunene has been our home since 1902, when the HC&S factory was relocated there from Spreckelsville," Doane said.

"Today, we welcome MEO with open arms to the neighborhood."

The future site for the transportation facility is near residential and commercial areas of Kahului and Wailuku and the island's primary commercial harbor and airport.

The facility is expected to integrate all MEO transportation operations in the same location and ensure the continuation and improvement of transportation services for elderly, disabled and other underserved constituencies.

With good highway access, the site is also fully compatible with adjacent land uses.

In his videotaped remarks, Akaka congratulated MEO and A&B for their partnership.

"This partnership is exactly the kind of collaboration necessary to tackle the root causes of poverty, both in our state and nationwide," Akaka said.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares said, "MEO is such an essential part of our community.

"The many services they provide help an amazing number of people from little keiki to our kupuna. They do 'help people and change lives'!"

MEO Executive Director Sandy Baz said the transportation center project represents the agency's "bigger vision" for the community.

"We support those that can't support themselves, and this new center will be the hub of a transportation complex that will provide services for those for whom unfortunately, regular public transit is not a viable option," he said.

MEO is a community action agency with 42 years of service to Maui.

Its clients include the elderly, disabled, immigrants, young people and others who are economically disadvantaged. Its services range from transportation and early-childhood education to assistance with the development of small businesses.

For more information about MEO, go online to meoinc.charityfinders.org/.