The 9th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference (HEC), presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, explored the theme “Electrification: Where are we now? What does the future hold?” The two-day virtual conference revisited all the aspects of electrifying the grid and transportation—current successes, potential pitfalls, and future opportunities.
Mayor Victorino stated, “MEDB is helping to lead the way to the future. Hawaii is a leading state for solar energy in the nation with a goal of 100-percent renewable energy by 2045. Our famous trade winds can help generate electricity and we have the potential to capture wave energy and geothermal for our energy needs. We have sustainable energy, and an abundance of sunshine and resources to help us. We look to the engineers, scientists, and other experts at this conference to help the people of Hawaii make a transition to renewable energy sooner than later.”
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO said, “Electrification will completely impact how we approach the issues of energy, production, distribution, energy equity, resilience, and more. Our program focused on the challenges and opportunities before us all in building a resilient, sustainable, affordable, secure, and equitable energy future.”
Abigail Anthony of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission said during her keynote at the conference, “Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country, roughly the size of Oahu, asserts that right rates and benefits are needed in order to encourage residents to convert to electrification. Electrification is no longer just for early adopters; it is ready to go to scale. We are focused on advancing equity, by making sure our customers are paying only for things that they can benefit from as well as afford.”
The 2022 HEC brought together experts on energy policy, strategies, leadership and innovation to help Hawaii reach its goal of 100-percent renewable energy sources.
Frank De Rego, Jr., MEDB Director of Business Development Projects, Co-Chair, 2022 HEC Program Committee
Recently, Hawaii’s Brian Kohne, an award-winning music producer and independent motion picture writer, director, and producer of the movies Kuleana and Get a Job, was the guest speaker at Maui TechOhana. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) with the support of the County of Maui, Kohne talked story at the virtual meeting.
Kohne noted, “I hope the attendees gained a greater sense of our interconnected industries: the arts, media, and motion pictures. That in order to build a thriving, sustainable industry here on Maui, we must place equal emphasis on infrastructure, workforce development, and education.”
Kohne returned to Maui in 2005 from Silicon Valley, having excelled as a national director of sales and marketing in corporate video production and sports broadcasting, as well as a senior user-interface architect for an interactive television corporation. Presently, Kohne is principal of Hawaii Cinema Inc., and director of the Academy for Creative Media at University of Hawaii Maui College.
“During Maui TechOhana, I illuminated a few projects we were able to successfully complete , and how the state tax incentives were essential, as was the support of our local community,” Kohne recalled. “I also talked about the Academy for Creative Media, a multi-media school I have built in recent years that is beginning to thrive. We offer degrees in filmmaking, graphic design, creative media, and, coming soon, animation. Island creatives no longer need to leave the island to receive high level educational opportunities in media.”
Speaking about opportunities on Maui, Kohne added, “once the pandemic is no longer a major governing issue, producers and studios will return to business as usual in chasing the ripest tax and financial incentives in determining where they will spend their time and money. So, we must continue to invest resources to support and grow an industry from within. Hawaii residents must originate viable productions in order to truly enjoy the benefits of the arts, media, and motion picture industries.”
Kohne shared his unique experiences in film and music along with his efforts to build the creative industries sector of our local economy.
Frank De Rego, Jr., Director of Business Development Projects, MEDB
The Maui Arts and Cultural Center is presenting the O Kalani exhibit at the Schaefer International Gallery from April 5-June 18, 2022. The show, featuring the work of prominent, Kānaka contemporary artists, Sean Kekamakupa’aikapono Ka’onohiokalani Lee Loy Browne and Imaikalani Kalahele, represents a pivotal moment in the history of Hawaii. Browne and Kalahele have been active since the latter part of the 20th century during a resurgence of Hawaiian culture. Drawing inspiration from stories, history, legends, and current events, and using themes from the past to create contemporary art narratives, each artist has charted his own course and helped define contemporary Hawaiian art.
Kalahele, artist, poet, musician, and respected kupuna, has developed diverse forms of expression with his work, including various Hawaiian anthologies in addition to his own book, Kalahele (2002), a collection of poetry. “I like to imbue my paintings with vivid compositions and imagery that connect us to history and legends,” Kalahele noted. “Using ancestral knowledge to guide me, I interpret spirituality and nature to manifest ideas in a unique visual style, addressing issues faced by the Hawaiian community.”
Drawing inspiration from his Native Hawaiian ancestry, Browne portrays mythical and historic figures in sculptural forms using cast bronze, carved wood and stone. Contributing to a sense of place, his large public works of art are installed throughout Hawaii. “Many of my historic figures are depicted realistically,” Browne explained. “My works with gods and demi-gods are stylized, translating supernatural acts and legends into smaller simplified forms. Organized in collaboration with the Honolulu Museum of Art, I hope the Maui community enjoys the exhibit.”
“I was so impressed with this show when I saw it, I knew I had to bring it to Maui,” said Gallery Director Neida Bangerter. “The title, O Kalani, which can be translated as ‘from the heavens’, references a relationship with the divine, and also acknowledges the names of both artists: Kalani.” Agreeing, Assistant Director Jonathan Yukio Clark said, “The two artists bridge the connection between past inherited knowledge and contemporary issues through their own very distinct language and vocabulary. What is beautiful about this show is the way their art works together.”
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-4pm, free. Also free, the gallery is offering an Observe and Play Family Day on May 7, 10-12noon for families to view the exhibit together, explore activities in storytelling and legends, and make a piece of art to take home.
Maui journalist and community volunteer Emily O’Neil Bott recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. Recalling Bott’s many contributions to island life, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino proclaimed April 2, 2022, as Emily Bott Day. “Emily’s life demonstrates that good citizens are the riches of a community,” Victorino said. “Today, she is adding yet another hat to the collection worn over the course of her life, that of a centenarian.”
Bott’s column in the Haleakala Times was entitled Silver Streak. In 2012, at age 90, she published a book, Silver Streak Revisited, in which she recounts the adventures and misadventures of her life on Maui and her earlier years on the mainland. A fan of Bott’s said, “She is one of Maui’s treasures. Anyone who reads Emily is richer for it.” Author Tom Stevens says the book is all “wit, warmth and wisdom.” Fellow writer Paul Wood added that Bott has produced “the career retrospective of a born humorist. Her voice has always been wry, authentic, and sane.”
Bott’s most memorable community service is her 30 years and 5,000 hours of volunteering in the Emergency Room (ER) at Maui Memorial Medical Center. “Comforting children and adults with my puppet, Lamb Chop, was memorable for countless Mauians,” Bott recalls. “I remember the many hands I held as an ER volunteer, all the ripped up, blown out, agonized, bleeding human beings I have registered, iced, and comforted. It was meaningful work and I would do it all over again!”
Bott also dedicated 20 years to Make-a-Wish Hawaii, ultimately earning their Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks to her unwavering support, numerous Maui families with a seriously ill child have been uplifted by the power of a wish. “There are numerous Maui keiki battling life-threatening medical conditions,” Emily explained. “Volunteering for Make-A-Wish Hawaii is a great way to give back to the community. It is so rewarding to bring joy to a family in need. It fulfills a dream for a youngster who does not have much control over his current situation. When you give, you receive much love in return.” Bott’s Secret: “Keep Giving!”
Maui Economic Development Board wishes Emily a happy 100th birthday. Thanks, Emily, for your dedicated years of community service!
Maui Economic Development Board STEMworks™ partnered with Mahi Pono, a Maui-based farming company, to present the 2022 STEMworks Solutions Challenge. The STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)-related problem was open to all Hawaii high school and undergraduate college students to solve. It offered a $500 cash prize plus a summer internship with Mahi Pono, where the recipient will implement his or her winning solution, and through research and experiments, have the opportunity to improve their proposed design.
“As a company committed to a more sustainable and secure future for Maui, we know that getting the next generation involved is critical, and this is one way we are able to do that,” said Shan Tsutsui, Chief Operating Officer with Mahi Pono. “These are real-world challenges we deal with in local agriculture, so we are excited to see what our participating students come up with.”
This year’s challenge, to overcome the effects of wind on citrus trees, including tree damage, soil erosion and dust production, sought solutions for how to keep fruit trees upright with little or no windbreak, and how to mitigate dust clouds from lack of ground cover. The event kicked off with weekly professional development meetings with Mahi Pono experts. After being briefed on the goal of the project, students submitted their proposals via PowerPoint slides accompanied by a recorded video presentation.
First-place winner, Edwin Barrett from King Kekaulike High School explained his proposal. “My solution comes in two phases. The first phase is planting a cover crop of white clover because it is a very durable and effective way to stop the majority of dirt pollution. Also, it provides many benefits to the soil such as increasing nitrogen levels which were notably low according to the soil sample and prevents wind erosion, its main benefit. Additionally, it would encourage pollination of the plant and the citrus trees and offer a possible future business venture with Maui beekeepers. Secondly, my unique designs for a solar windbreak will keep trees upright, stop the blowing of dirt even further, and achieve a muti-purpose function by combining solar and wind technologies.”
My goal, to solve the problems of dust pollution and tree sustainability, was to also explore how modern technology can be implemented to have a positive impact on Maui’s farming and agricultural community. I am looking forward to my summer internship.
