Over many years, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the Small Business Association (SBA), and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) have collaborated to offer the Women in Business Seminar Series. The series’ purpose is to introduce local small businesses to information, resources, and networking opportunities. One such resource is SBA’s Minority Owned Small Business (MOSB) Certification, which includes women-, veteran-, and minority-owned small businesses.
“WBEC is one of the official certifiers for SBA Women-Owned Small Business certifications,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “Businesses can get certified as being 51% owned and operated (minority, women, veteran) in order to qualify for special consideration in government and private contracts and to participate in a sponsor company’s Supplier Diversity Program.”
Gary Albitz, MEDB Business Consultant, added, “Once certified, a businesshas many benefits available. MEDB encourages qualified business owners to open these new doors of opportunities. An example on Maui is Brandy Cajudoy from Cajudoy Construction LLC, who has seen the advantages of being certified as a women-owned business. MEDB is available to help anyone interested in getting the WBEC certification.”
Cajudoy shared, “Both the MEDB Women in Business Seminar Series and my WBEC Certification have provided me with an abundance of opportunities…now I am able to bid and obtain county, state, and federal jobs. They have seriously helped my business going forward.” A math teacher for 12 years at Kamehameha Schools before starting her own construction company, Cajudoy does specialized, commercial, and residential construction. Her business was hugely impacted by the Lahaina fires, which eliminated two existing projects. “I have been working to recover and restart,” she explained. “There are few women-owned construction companies in Hawai’i. In order to finalize my certification process, I sat down one day, locked the door, and put my nose to the grindstone to crank out the paperwork.”
Cajudoy concluded, “For a small business in construction, it is almost impossible to not be successful with all the support from the county and the state. I envision a promising future for all WBEC-certified businesses. Take the certification leap!”
Brighten Tantisira, a King Kekaulike High School alumnus, recently wrote and graphically designed a book, Why Look Up? An Introduction to Our Fascinating Universe for Young Students and Novices. Tantisira is a former Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) STEMworks™ intern who worked with the UH Institute for Astronomy (IfA) last year. While interning at IfA, he experienced a fascinating branch of science not offered in his high school curriculum and published a peer-reviewed paper, “Consistency and Precision Measurements of Seven Double Stars,” in the Journal of Double Star Observations. He also felt compelled to write a non-fiction astronomy book geared towards elementary and middle school students.
“I chose this age group because I wanted to inspire the next generation about this amazing field,” Tantisira explained. “However, novices of all ages can benefit just as much by reading my book. The book covers various topics, including stars, moons, galaxies, exoplanets, nebulae, protostars, star clusters, galaxy clusters, supernovae, and why we study all of them. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundational understanding of the most captivating astronomical objects and phenomena in our universe.”
In Why Look Up?, Tantisira stimulates curiosity about our fascinating universe through careful explanations and engaging images, including original photos. “With permission to use them in my book, I obtained my astronomical photos through the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network by programming observations into their portal,” Tantisira recalled. “My experience at IfA is what inspired me to create an astronomy book introducing this field in a simple and entertaining way to young audiences who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about the cosmos.” He added, “Being able to intern at the IfA through the MEDB STEMworks Internship program was a one-of-a-kind opportunity. I not only learned about the fascinating field of astronomy, I also attained new insights about careers in the field, such as monitoring asteroids near our Earth for safety reasons. My internship also exposed me to the importance of the scientific method and provided me with a strong introduction to astronomy and its techniques. Basically, I learned what scientific research is all about, and I hope to major in astronomy, or something along this line.”
Thank you MEDB for all the opportunities offered through the STEMworks Internship Program!
Brighten Tantisira
King Kekaulike High School Alumnus
Astronomer and Author, Why Look Up?
Maui is preparing for a cherished tradition. The Makawao Stampede begins on Friday July 5th and continues through the holiday weekend at the Oskie Rice Event Center in Makawao. Since its inception in 1956, the Stampede has attracted multitudes of spectators and competitors. This year, contenders are coming from other islands, the mainland, and as far away as Australia to compete in a variety of events.
Attendees will experience the thrill of barrel racing, where horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern in the fastest time around preset barrels. Jayci Jay Rice, the 2023 Makawao Stampede Match Barrel Champion, explained, “Running barrels produces an amazing connection with my horse. My adrenaline rush goes straight to my horse and together we give it our all. There’s nothing like it!”
Team roping, another favorite, involves teamwork between two skilled ropers, a header and a heeler, and their horses, as they work together to rope a steer in the fastest time possible. The Bull Bash, one of the most exhilarating events, involves a rider getting on a bucking bull and attempting to stay mounted for eight seconds while touching the bull with only their riding hand.
“This takes enormous strength, determination, and true grit,” said Noah Foti, a Makawao Stampede bull riding champion, owner of Rowdy Outdoors, and founder of the new nonprofit, Rowdy Rodeo. “I love the competition and the comradery at the Stampede. You can feel all the love and support that our community brings to make it all happen. These events, and others, showcase the skill and courage required in the world of rodeo.”
At Rowdy Outdoors, Foti provides the best gear for Hawaiʻi’s athletes. His new nonprofit, Rowdy Rodeo, aims to give underprivileged keiki riding opportunities that are not available anywhere else in Hawaiʻi. “I would like to give our youth a chance to ride horses and compete in rodeo events by offering something I wish was available when I was young.”
For rodeo information and tickets, go to www.etix.com or www.oskiericeeventcenter.com.
This year’s Makawao Stampede has something for everyone, including sheep riding for the keiki!
Noah Foti, Champion Bull Rider Rowdy Outdoors and Rowdy Rodeo
The 56th Annual Makawao Parade, to be held on June 29that 9am in Makawao town, is a much-anticipated event each year. The parade kicks off a week of festivities filled with tradition, community spirit, and the vibrant culture of the Upcountry paniolo (cowboy) lifestyle. More than just a show, the parade demonstrates the town’s deep connection to its paniolo roots, blending its rich history with authentic experience for residents and visitors alike. “The parade, a much-treasured tradition, began decades ago as mounted units only,” said Maile J. Masada, the Director of Facility Operations for Oskie Rice Event Center. “Now, it includes floats, walking units, classic cars, marching bands, special tributes, and more.”
Cattle were first introduced to the islands in the 1790s, and ranching began to flourish in the mid-to-late 1800s. Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) helped Hawaiian ranchers as they learned to herd, breed, and slaughter cattle. During this time, a new Hawaiian cowboy or “paniolo” culture (originating from the Hawaiian pronunciation of “Español”) emerged as an integral part of Upcountry life.
The Makawao Parade and Stampede is a continuation of this history. Masada noted, “There is an event every day either in Makawao town or at the Oskie Arena after the parade, closing with the Makawao Stampede on the 4th of July weekend.” With spectators lining the streets, the parade route starts on Baldwin Avenue near the Veterans Cemetery, turns right onto Makawao Avenue, and ends on Makani Road near Kalama School.
This year’s Grand Marshal is paniolo Eugene DeRego. “Born and raised on Maui, DeRego grew up riding horses, competing in roping, motorcross, and drag racing, where he won many titles,” Masada explained. “There will also be a loving commemoration for special honoree Gladys Baisa, a cherished member of the Makawao community whose legacy continues to inspire.”
Following the parade, the Parade in the Country Concert will take place from 12-5pm at the Oskie Rice Event Center. There will be food, craft vendors, and an assortment of live entertainment including Jordan Soon Wai-Knot, Hālau Keʻala Kahinano O Puna, and Te Ohi Nui. Masada added, “Thanks to our many sponsors, we have set the stage for an unforgettable parade and holiday celebration!”
Come join us as we celebrate our local culture and traditions during the week of festivities! For more information, visit makawaoparade.com
Maile J. Masada Director of Facility Operations, Oskie Rice Event Center
Treecovery Hawaiʻi Inc., a new Hawaiʻi-based non-profit, has been working with the Army Corps to help keep surviving trees in the Lahaina and Kula burn zones healthy while also providing soil remediation in the area. In addition to caring for existing trees, the organization is working with 14 partners to plant and oversee the growth of 30,000 new trees over the next several years, at no cost to the community. Treecovery was founded by Duane Sparkman, chairman of the Maui County Arborist Committee and the 2021 recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award. The award is presented annually by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to recognize efforts in the landscape and agricultural community to keep invasive species out of Maui County.
Sparkman wears many hats. He is known for his work in sustainable landscaping as well as his countless volunteer hours serving multiple cultural and conservation organizations across the island. Sparkman worked his way up to becoming part-owner of a large landscaping company that maintained 65 acres of resorts along Maui’s coastlines. He worked at Haleakalā National Park and sits on the board of directors of Maui Cultural Lands. Sparkman’s consulting company, Edaphic Perspective, assists homeowners, landowners, and municipalities as they transition to organic landscape practices. He is also the project manager for a 72-acre Hawaiian cultural reserve called Kipuka Olowalu and partners with Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to assist them with their organic land management division.
“Treecovery represents my hope to keep trees in the Maui wildfire zones alive and to provide trees to the residents and businesses in Lahaina and Kula that lost their trees in the fires,” said Sparkman. “Treecovery also stems from my passion in seeing thriving and healthy ecosystems from mauka to makai. I believe in sharing my knowledge with other organizations and people throughout Maui. It’s important to me to respect and advocate for Hawaiian culture while improving sustainable landscape practices within Hawaiʻi’s resort industry.”
Sparkman added, “There is a lot of work to do, and we always need volunteers. Currently, numerous properties have been cleared for replanting in Kula. While caring for trees, we are growing an ‘ohana that we are all part of. We are working towards a healthy Maui Nui for generations to come.”
From the ʻāina, we learn who we are, and what we put into its restoration, we get back.
Duane Sparkman, Founder and President, Treecovery
