Homesteader Is First Molokai Driver to Complete New MEO CDL Program

Kayla Luuloa passed her CDL exam earlier this month and will be driving MEO buses on Molokai. Contributed photo

MEO News Release

A Hawaiian Homes homesteader who recently returned to Molokai is the first resident to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Maui Economic Opportunity’s new CDL training program on the island.

Kayla Luuloa passed her CDL exam on Feb. 5 and will be training to drive MEO buses that provide the island’s only mass transit option through a Human Services transportation contract with the County of Maui.

With no other CDL training opportunities on Molokai and a demand for bus drivers, MEO created the in-house program. Driver Supervisor Amy Makaiwi runs the training program for the CDL, a required qualification for an MEO bus driver on Molokai.

Kayla’s dad gave her the homestead, which led her to give up city life for the slower, rural farming life. At first, she tried commuting back and forth to Oahu for work but ended up deciding to stay on Molokai to rebuild the homestead and to be present for her wife and two step-children.

Once the homestead rebuilding was completed, Kayla started looking for work and came across the MEO CDL Driver Trainee position. MEO pays a stipend while prospective drivers obtain their CDL.

“The process was long, and there were many frustrations throughout the training,” she said. “Looking back at all the studying and effort I put in, it was all worth it. 

“The stress is gone and a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now I can go home to my family with peace of mind.”

Kayla is MEO Molokai’s fifth Personal Assistance Technician (PAT). There is an individual in the training program and another being on-boarded.

MEO has a Human Services contract with the County of Maui to provide transportation in the rural communities of Molokai, Lanai and East Maui. For more information about transportations services on Molokai, call (808) 553-3218; on Lanai, (808) 565-6665; in Hana, (808) 248-8282; on Maui, (808) 877-7651.

In addition to the Human Services contract, MEO also operates paratransit services for The Maui Bus by reservation. Drivers for both Human Service and paratransit operations are needed. 

If you are interested in becoming a driver, call MEO Human Resources at (808) 249-2990.