Professor Dick Mayer, graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in economics in 1963. He immediately began a life of service by volunteering for 2  years in Nepal doing community development work with the newly formed Peace Corps. That history of volunteering in service of community betterment has continued on Maui over the past forty  years.

Mayer received his Masters Degree in International Business in 1967 from the University of Washington

and immediately accepted a teaching post at Maui Community College in its maiden year. At MCC he taught World Geography and Economics for 34 years. Over that time Mayer served as Chairperson of the college's Liberal Arts department and later chaired the Social Science Department. He gave generously of his time to numerous UH system committees to improve educational efforts and professional benefits.

In 1971, at the age of 29, Dick Mayer was appointed to the Maui Planning Commission and was its youngest member during his term. His suggestion to the Commission that the proposed Wailea resort hotels all have a 100 foot setback, was adopted, and made it possible for the public to enjoy broad beaches and the coastal trail.

Over the past forty years, Dick Mayer has been a devoted researcher and advocate for economic diversity, smart growth and needed community facilities. He has served on countless task forces and committees including the Board of variances and Appeals, Economic Development committee of Maui Chamber of Commerce, Statistics committee of Maui Economic Development Board, chaired the state's Maui County Air Pollution Control Committee.

Dick's interest in healthy economic development for Maui County led him to volunteer his expertise to  a number of very demanding technical advisory groups such as Maui Electric Company: Integrated Resources Plan (I.R.P.) Advisory Committee and the Maui County Council's : Energy Advisory Sub-Committee.

Many Maui residents may know Dick Mayer best as the organizer and moderator of numerous candidate forums during political season, beginning with the 1979 Mayoral special election and continuing with the outstanding Kula Community Association forums.              

He was PTA president of Kula school and spearheaded the 8 year long effort to create the popular park that now adjoins the school. Mayer was also a founding member of the present day Kula Community Association and served as Chair and other positions. He chaired the committee that helped establish and locater King Kekaulike High School.

In his dedication to sound planning, Dick Mayer volunteered for the Citizen's Advisory Committee and served as vice-chair as the group reviewed the 1993 Upcountry Community Plan. In 2005 Mayer was appointed to the General Plan Advisory Committee and served as its vice chair during the long hours spent reviewing and formulating the Maui Island Plan and the County wide Policy Plan, setting Maui's course for the next 20 years.