Sep 22, 2011 | Environment, Events, Small Business
This year’s Advanced Maui Optical and Space Technologies (AMOS) Conference provided an unmatched opportunity for Maui Oceanit Program Manager Curt Leonard. “To remain relevant in any business environment it is important to maintain close ties with “old friends” from industry while at the same time exploring new companies and emerging technologies,” Leonard said. The AMOS Conference is a program of the Maui Economic Development Board, whose mission includes taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry as well as diversifying through new opportunities. The event held in Wailea earlier this month drew more than 600 participants from across the United States and countries such as Spain, Germany and Italy. The growing interest in the event is testament to its worldwide reputation as the premier space situational awareness conference in the world, taking full advantage of its location on Maui and the island’s cutting-edge telescopes atop 10,000-foot Haleakala.
Oceanit typically sets up an exhibit booth during the conference to help facilitate introductions to the company’s capabilities and serve as an ice breaker for business development discussions. Leonard said the event also gives Oceanit a chance to give back to the local community. “As a company we are committed to making a difference in our community, a mantra that is woven into Oceanit corporate fabric,” he said. This year Oceanit volunteered staff to guide students making a tour of conference exhibits and attending a session with an astronaut. “This is a huge hit with middle school students and Oceanit is proud to play a small role in a wonderful opportunity to expose and encourage Maui students to consider career paths in science, technology, engineering and math,” Leonard said. He added that part of Oceanit’s vision is to contribute to a thriving technology industry in Hawaii, to diversify its economy, and ensure that students who go into science and technology fields have a place to work in Hawaii. Oceanit’s Maui office has expertise in optical sciences and design, robotic systems, and consulting engineering; it currently has a contract to evaluate Kahului Harbor shoreline protection options to prevent beach erosion.
Sep 15, 2011 | Community, Sustainability
Every day of the year, volunteers dish out food at Hale Kau Kau, the island’s only daily soup kitchen. The volunteer force is an integral part of the nonprofit’s mission to feed the hungry and the homeless, according to its Executive Director, Monsignor Terry Watanabe. He also serves as the pastor of St. Theresa Church where the kitchen operates 365 days of the year. “I think there’s a real sense of caring in South Maui, people really want to reach out and do something tangible.” Watanabe said. The soup kitchen off Lipoa Street marks its 20th anniversary this year. Watanabe noted that dozens of people — residents and visitors to the island — have contributed their time and talent to be sure that the kitchen never closes, not even for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
One of these volunteers is Gail Mitchell, who began donating time to the program 18 years ago while making family trips to Maui. When she retired here 8 years ago, she became even more involved in working in the kitchen and making deliveries to the homebound — the elderly, the sick and disabled — people who might not otherwise get a hot dinner. “My faith in the mission of the church is all the motivation I need,” says Mitchell. “Feeding the hungry fulfills such a basic human need. The bonus, for me, is working alongside other volunteers who really have a heart, and working with great kids doing community service, whether for school requirements, legal obligation, or to earn food stamps or housing assistance.”
Coordinators estimate they’ve served more than a million meals since Hale Kau Kau’s opening. In its outreach work, Hale Kau Kau collaborates with churches in South Maui to regularly collect and distribute nonperishable canned food and other items. The Hale Kau Kau program has only one paid full-time staff member, a lead cook and two part-time paid employees. “The rest is done by volunteers. People are generous,” Watanabe said. “Our hearts go out to the people we serve and to those who make Hale Kau Kau successful.” Food donations, monetary contributions and volunteer manpower are accepted at Hale Kau Kau year round. For more information, call 875-8754.
Sep 8, 2011 | Community
Parents at Kamali’i Elementary School in Kihei know that teachers don’t educate alone, and that’s why a group of them are launching a new tutoring program this month. It’s called “Study Buddies,” and instead of getting assistance with homework after school, students will be able to get help before the school day begins. “Children who are having difficulty finishing homework, grasping certain basic core concepts or those who need to practice with their reading or math skills can take advantage of this program,” said Rachel Christopher, one of the parents behind Study Buddies.
The program involves two volunteers per day devoting 25 minutes a morning from 8 to 8:25 a.m. Monday through Friday. As the program progresses, more volunteers may be needed.
Study Buddies does not replace after-school tutoring assistance nor the work of community volunteers and parents during the school day. Christopher, the mother of two children including a 4th-grader at Kamali’i Elementary, said she understands that it’s difficult for teachers to allot individual quality time with each of their students. “Children who are struggling often consume more of a teacher’s time, which leaves less attention for the rest of the class,” Christopher said.
The goal of Study Buddies is to help struggling students finish their homework and build their skills in the areas of reading, writing and math. Christopher said she believes every child deserves the opportunity to tap into their potential, but not all are able to because of varying situations including the lack of one-on-one time to build confidence in their academic skills. Study Buddies will be open to all grades. Tutoring will be conducted in the school library. Once the program gets under way, Christopher and the same group of parents hope to start a math club to support basic concepts and core math skills. To volunteer for Study Buddies, contact Rachel Christopher at 385-8885 or email at racheken[at]hawaii[dot]rr[dot]com.
Aug 31, 2011 | Community
Continuing our series on newly appointed County Department Directors, reflecting the role of government in responding to community values and needs.
Department of Water Supply Director Dave Taylor approaches his job by taking cues from the community he serves. “The biggest thing I’d like people to see is that I work for them. It’s their water system, not mine,” Taylor said. “I honestly see myself as the water maintenance guy for the people.” As water director, Taylor oversees 200 employees and a system that features 750 miles of pipeline, 125 water tanks and six treatment plants. “That’s a lot to take care of. It’s always difficult and it’s certainly a challenge,” he said. What brings the most enjoyment is working his staff. “We have a fantastic group of incredibly talented people in many different professions. The public would be pleasantly surprised if they knew how deeply our staff members care about what they do. I am proud that they act as if they are working for their own family and their own home.”
Taylor recently outlined several options to the Maui County Council on how the water system could be improved over the next decade. It would take an investment of some $30 million, he said. For now, Taylor focuses his energy on establishing a clear vision for his agency, setting goals that include providing clear and safe water efficiently. He said he drinks water from the tap all the time and considers county water rates to be a bargain, in part because it costs less than $2 per thousand gallons for water to be delivered to each home on Maui. “You can’t beat the value of county water.”
Taylor grew up in Southern California, earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical and environmental engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He obtained his master’s degree in structural engineering from UC Berkeley. In his spare time, Taylor enjoys windsurfing, a sport he picked up from the age of 16, and keeping fit with regular gym work outs.
Aug 24, 2011 | Education
The Ke Alahele Education Fund has freed Iao School robotics advisor Jayne Hori from worries about fundraising and allowed her and her students to focus on learning. “It fits perfectly with STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) standards and learning opportunities,” she said. Both of Hori’s children, Taylor, a high school senior, and Trent, a sophomore, have benefited from a grant in their middle school days and now in high school. “They both are not afraid of taking STEM type classes or programs in and out of school,” Hori said. Instead of raising funds for travel, Hori said she and her students pour their energy in preparing and then participating in robotics tournaments.
“The Ke Alahele Education Fund has impacted me personally and professionally,” Hori said. Grants have helped pay for registration fees, robotics kits, extra robotic equipment and parts, laptops and travel. According to Hori, a lot of grant making institutions do not pay for travel. “It takes a lot of the worry out of the way when you receive funding from Maui Economic Development Board. The students can concentrate on their project and the parents don’t have to worry about how they going to come up with the money to pay for their child’s travel expenses.” She said it would be hard on students if they worked on robotic projects and then didn’t have a venue to share and test their knowledge. Hori said MEDB’s Ke Alahele Education Fund opportunities are also open to community civic groups such as 4-H and Boy and Girl Scouts, and fund all kinds of STEM activities, not just robotics.
“A Pathway to the Future,” a benefit dinner and auction for the fund, will be held on August 27th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Wailea Resort. Guests include U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and Ms. Irene Hirano, and Mayor Alan Arakawa and Ann Arakawa. For tickets, which are $150 per person, call 875-2300 or visit medb.org.
This year’s Advanced Maui Optical and Space Technologies (AMOS) Conference provided an unmatched opportunity for Maui Oceanit Program Manager Curt Leonard. “To remain relevant in any business environment it is important to maintain close ties with “old friends” from industry while at the same time exploring new companies and emerging technologies,” Leonard said. The AMOS Conference is a program of the Maui Economic Development Board, whose mission includes taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry as well as diversifying through new opportunities. The event held in Wailea earlier this month drew more than 600 participants from across the United States and countries such as Spain, Germany and Italy. The growing interest in the event is testament to its worldwide reputation as the premier space situational awareness conference in the world, taking full advantage of its location on Maui and the island’s cutting-edge telescopes atop 10,000-foot Haleakala.
