Sep 3, 2014 | Education, Innovation
AJ Ramelb’s tenacity and technological innovation gave disabled students an independence they don’t often experience. “I really wanted my students to be able to paint their own pictures, and AJ made that possible,” said Hillary Watt, a special education teacher at King Kekaulike High School. Watt and an audience of 600-plus applauded Ramelb, a 2014 Kekaulike graduate, following his selection for this year’s Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award from Maui Economic Development Board. Ramelb, now enrolled as a freshman at the University of Hawaii Maui College, was chosen for the award established to commemorate the late Sen. Inouye’s legacy. The honor, presented at the recent Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner, recognizes an exceptional student-led project that applies science, technology, engineering and math solutions to community improvement.
MEDB gave Ramelb $3,000 for college and a pledge to assist him in applying for a U.S. patent for a special paintbrush grip design. King Kekaulike will also receive $7,000 for its STEMworks™ lab. There last school year, Ramelb studied and created the paintbrush grip design for students with severe and multiple disabilities. “In a STEMworks™ lab, you have so many resources at your disposal,” Ramelb said. “I’m really grateful for my teacher, Emily Haines, and for STEM because it really opens up your mind and allows you to think about what you can do for your community.”
Ramelb created two different styles of grips, accommodating both inward and outward wrist turns of students with disabilities. They mainly use the grips for art paintbrushes, but recently used it to hold mini-maracas for music. “These kids are used to having things done for them, but these grips have given them the opportunity to do something on their own, to express themselves through movement and through art,” Watt said. She said she was impressed by Ramelb’s dedication and attention to testing the grips and adjusting the design so it could fit her students’ needs. “He really went above and beyond. I really appreciated it and couldn’t be more proud,” Watt said.
Aug 27, 2014 | Community, Innovation
At Bump Networks, founder Arben Kryeziu says his staff operates on the premise that work is not all about them. “All my team members are non-ego centric,” he said as he explained why the business has been sustainable for almost 10 years now. “To me it’s about the execution and for us, it’s an art form. We are not your cookie cutter business. We start with focusing on our client’s services and how we can build it up,” he said.
A software and technology solutions company, Bump Networks’ clients include the Maui Food Bank, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the Pacific Disaster Center and Maui Gold pineapple. Bump Networks is just one of several entrepreneurial ventures Kryeziu is engaged with today. Last year, he co-founded mbloom, a business incubator and technology fund. The 37-year-old lives in Kula with his wife, Crystal, and their five-year-old daughter. According to his posted resume at Pegasus Capital where he serves as an operating partner, Kryeziu’s entrepreneurial success “has always hinged on clearly identifying company goals, strategizing resources, and maintaining profitable business models.” He said he and his team follow online trends, analyze successful businesses, and then actively pursue them. He uses “word of mouth” to obtain clients. “To me, it’s a very exciting time to be an entrepreneur,” Kryeziu said. “I especially like working with ‘techies’ to create and ignite something.”
Outside of his business, Kryeziu coordinated in May Maui’s first Startup Weekend, an international movement aimed at inspiring and empowering individuals, teams and communities. About 52 developers, marketers, product managers, technical and technology experts and entrepreneurs – mostly from Maui – participated. Jeanne Skog, Maui Economic Development Board President and CEO, served as one of six coaches for the Startup Weekend participants. MEDB Vice Chairman Ned Davis, founder of fledgling business called Maui Water Solutions, said he benefited as a participant and was grateful for networking with other entrepreneurs. Kryeziu plans to hold another Startup Weekend later this fall on Maui. “Our island and our community are growing. We have the talent here, we just have to come together,” he said.
Aug 20, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math take center stage this week as Maui Economic Development Board rolls out its annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction. Hundreds of supporters are expected to raise money Saturday at the Grand Wailea Resort for innovative STEM programs in schools and communities on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. “We are grateful to our generous businesses and community stakeholders for rallying behind our young people’s passion and pursuit of STEM learning and careers,” MEDB President and CEO Jeanne Skog said.
Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui and his wife, Lyndelle, and Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife, Ann, are the 2014 Distinguished Educators for the annual gathering. Tsutsui called the Ke Alahele dinner a worthwhile event that recognizes the need to support and expand STEM programs. “We are nurturing budding scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will create new ideas, new products and new industries,” he said. “The ability to understand and use STEM facts, principles and techniques are skills that can enhance an individual’s ability to succeed in school and beyond in a wide array of disciplines.”
In the most recent school year, the Ke Alahele Education Fund awarded nearly $175,000 to support robotics team competition locally, statewide and nationally; equipped digital media labs and engineering programs with updated tools, software and training; and organized the annual Science Olympiad. This year’s dinner will also feature the presentation of the annual Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. It’s given in honor of the late U.S. senator’s vision for Maui as an innovative center for scientific and technological advances. The student team will be recognized for innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve the community. Donations for the education fund are still being accepted. Call 875-2300, or visit www.medb.org
Aug 6, 2014 | Education
In her role as a STEM coach, Jenn Whitted said she’s seen Molokai students flourish in the area of science, technology, engineering and math. “The new computers, robots, computer software really open their eyes to projects they can do and learn from,” Whitted said. She said she’s thankful for the support from Maui Economic Development Board and the grants both Kaunakakai Elementary and Molokai Middle School have received from MEDB’s Ke Alahele Education Fund. “I feel like there is no better way for a child to learn than in a hands-on learning environment.”
On August 23, MEDB will host its annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction at the Grand Wailea Resort Ballroom. Proceeds from the event help to power STEM Education programs throughout Maui County. Whitted has been involved in STEM supported grants at Kaunakakai Elementary and for FIRST Lego League Robotics at Molokai Middle School. She said the Ke Alahele grants opened opportunities to expose students to a variety of science based activities in and outside of the classroom. “Our hope is to spark an interest within the individual students that will drive them to pursue higher education,” she said. Ke Alahele grants have covered travel expenses to FIRST Lego League Robotics competition and equipment and material for STEM elementary and middle school programs. “Without the funding we would never have been able to offer these opportunities,” she said.
Whitted said she’s seen students use creativity and team work to complete projects. When the middle-schoolers travel to Maui for Lego competition, they also tour STEM companies. “Getting the opportunity to speak with STEM professionals is an incredible resource for our island. These STEM visits show them that their future is in their hands and they can dream big,” she said. For more information about the Ke Alahele dinner, call 875-2300, or visit www.medb.org
Jul 30, 2014 | Education, Stemworks
Excite Camp Mentor Racieli Andrada has learned a lot about herself while serving as a mentor during the Maui Economic Development Board Women in Technology Project Excite Camp. “I learned that I have the ability to lead a group and have the patience to teach others,” said Andrada, an 18-year-old Maui High graduate. “It’s important to know how much I can handle and be aware of my capabilities when working with students and peers.”
As a mentor, Andrada helped speakers as they gave presentations during one of the summer camps. She took charge of teaching girls how to use iMovie to create a video about their experience at Excite Camp. “I loved watching their videos and seeing how much they enjoyed their experience and how they were excited to join the STEMworks™ programs,” Andrada said.
It wasn’t all easy, she observed. “The challenges that I faced were teaching girls who were about three years younger,” she said. “It was difficult to calm them down because they were always eager to learn more, but they always looked to do more even though they were in the middle of a workshop.” Andrada also learned what it takes to be an effective mentor. “It’s important to connect with students being mentored and understand their strengths and weaknesses to be able to help them become a better person,” she said.
Mentors “have a huge impact on the younger people because they become more comfortable when learning, and they are able to hear first-hand experiences from their mentors,” Andrada said.
Begun in 2000, Excite Camp’s mission is to create awareness and motivate 7th- and 8th-grade girls — especially those in under-represented minorities — to aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. In 14 years, more than 300 girls from around the county have participated in the event. Excite Camp is sponsored by MEDB’s Women in Technology Project, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii – Institute for Astronomy, U.S. Air Force and the Maui Research & Technology Park tenants. It is funded in part by the County of Maui, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
