Nov 13, 2019 | Education, Innovation
Molokai STEMworks™ teacher, Kumu ‘Iolani Kuoha, and her students, ‘Ohi’aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, 8th grade, Ka’ulalani Puaa, 7th grade, and Ciera-lee Ka’apuwaihiwalani Davis, 7th grade, from ‘O Hina I ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Molokai Middle School, were among 150 middle and high school students and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educators welcomed at the 2019 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS). The conference and the Space Exploration Student Session, presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), thrilled the Molokai girls who got to meet astronaut Dr. Edward Lu and visit the numerous exhibit booths for hands-on STEM activities.
“I can feel the energy in my students, they are so excited to be here!” said Kuoha. “They are learning so much from the exhibits that they will share with their classmates on Molokai. This is great exposure, especially for the girls who never heard about all the exhibitors here at AMOS. The students have a science fair coming soon, so the hands-on STEM activities are giving them many ideas.”
“I love science and space!” exclaimed Tangonan. “This event has taught me many things about the universe. It was exciting to meet astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and learn about the education needed to become an astronaut and what he did on the International Space Station. Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world for good.”
Puaa noted, “At the Analytical Graphics Inc exhibit the engineers showed us how space debris can cause damage to satellites that cost millions of dollars, as well as interfere with things we use every day like the internet, banking, cell phones, and more. It’s fascinating!”
Davis added, “My favorite exhibit was the thermal infrared imaging exhibit at Lockheed Martin. We experimented with a camera to learn how heat transfer works. The visual impact was huge and fun. We saw how the change of energy is indicated by an increased temperature. It is a privilege to come to AMOS and see people from all nations working together to keep space clean and safe for all of us.”
Today is a rare experience! I’m so honored to meet former astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and all the industry professionals who made me aware of a whole new world of space exploration that I want to learn about. Thank you MEDB!
Ka’ulalani Puaa, 7th grade, ‘O Hina I ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, Molokai Middle School
Nov 6, 2019 | Education, Events
This past summer, three Maui High School students, Jazmyne Viloria, Cailyn Omuro, and Faith Soliven were chosen from over 100 applicants to attend a week-long immersive, real-world journalism experience with the PBS NewsHour in Washington DC. They were among youth journalists from 14 states who attended the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ (SRL) fifth annual Academy.
“It was an amazing experience in broadcasting,” said SRL mentor, chaperone and previous teacher of the girls, Jennifer Suzuki, Maui Waena STEMworks™ advisor. “The students worked alongside journalism educators and public media mentors to produce original youth-driven digital content while honing their journalism and production skills through a series of specialized workshops.”
In partnership with the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the stories produced by the SRL group were showcased at a special screening at the Newseum. “These students learn how to create, collaborate and find their voice by producing, writing, and editing a story in a matter of days,” said Elis Estrada, director of SRL. “Their worlds open up when they arrive in DC and by the end of the academy, they realize that they’ve found other teenagers who are passionate about video storytelling, as well as the motivation to teach what they learned to their peers in the new school year.”
Viloria from Maui High reflected, “Storytelling gives me more than just a creative outlet. Capturing the moments and creating the story gives me a new passion, perspective, and peregrination. Youth media is the answer to showing the world what us kids are capable of.”
Soliven added, “I get a rewarding feeling when I can give someone a voice by sharing their story. To create change in our communities and in the world, I am inspired to dive deep into both sides of sources to find truth with integrity. It is important that a voice is given to our youth.”
Omuro agreed, “I’ve met so many amazing people and learned so much through storytelling. By helping the next generation get into media we are creating the future in a way that can help everyone. Youth media can change the world!”
The girls worked in groups with students from across the nation to create stories on youth in DC. They are learning how to fill a critical gap, providing coverage and insights on issues affecting their generation.
Jennifer Suzuki, PBS SRL chaperone, teacher and mentor, Maui Waena Intermediate School STEMworks™ advisor
Oct 30, 2019 | Innovation
Maui County’s largest products show, the annual Made in Maui County Festival (MIMCF), returns on November 1-2, 2019 to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Now in its sixth year, this popular event features over 140 vendors presenting a wide variety of locally made products including foods, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, furniture, gifts, collectibles and more.
“Attracting thousands of visitors and residents while showcasing the island’s entrepreneurial spirit, MIMCF has become a venue for local companies to take their business to the next level,” said Gerry Smith, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) Director of Business Development. “MIMCF will be the first major, as well as the returning show for many businesses that MEDB’s Innovation Series has fostered. It is incredibly rewarding for us at MEDB to see all the workshops, boot camps, and Startup Weekends actually paying off. MEDB regularly collaborates with local organizations focused on economic development. We all have the same goal in mind− the success and growth of small businesses on Maui.”
Ian Elumba, Kohola Brewery co-founder and owner, said, “A few years back, I attended MEDB workshops to learn more about how much it cost to make a keg and case of beer. Gerry helped me calculate cost of goods, budgets, break-even points, and more. These were things I thought I already knew, but I was wrong. Last year, we started canning and I reached out to Gerry at MEDB again because Kohola couldn’t keep up with the demand. We kept running out of beer and we needed to grow and expand. Just recently, Kohola Brewery took home six medals at the 2019 Hawaii Craft Beer Awards competition.”
Smith added, “MEDB has worked with Elumba for a couple of years. We first met when he attended our ‘Pinching Pennies’ workshop. Now he is taking advantage of MEDB’s Maui Business Connect program—a pilot program for small business training, mentoring and networking funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. It is so rewarding to see a business grow and utilize so many of MEDB’s business assistance programs.”
We are proud of our brews and our staff for their dedication and hard work. It is no secret that the success of making good beer relies on our team. Please stop by Kohola Brewery at the MIMCF, talk story, and have a beer!
Ian Elumba, Kohola Brewery co-founder and owner
Oct 23, 2019 | Innovation, Stemworks
The 2nd annual EMER-GEN™ program, which preceded the 2019 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS), is a joint initiative of the AMOS Conference and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), for those age 18 to 35 who are enthusiastic about space careers.
In 2018, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) created the two-day program with the help of advisors from industry, government, academia and several nonprofits. EMER-GEN™ offers mentoring with renowned space specialists drawn from an array of fields related to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM). Networking with industry peers, this year’s participants joined in skill-building sessions and a short course to enhance their success in a global space environment.
“SGAC has 13,000 members from more than 150 countries,” said Victoria Carter-Cortez, SGAC representative and EMER-GEN™ participant. “Forty-one EMER-GEN™ delegates came together to share their thoughts and experiences in the space industry. We learned a lot about leadership and cultural awareness as well as technical issues that will help us go forward in our careers. It was an enriching experience!”
Secure World Foundation’s Washington D.C. Office Director and EMER-GEN™ mentor Victoria Samson said, “One of the highlights of the program is how participants are making real- life issues relevant and applying them to the current use of space. Discussing obligations at a national level, then going a step further with global discussions about what other countries are doing, was a critical-thinking exercise for a shared approach towards international cooperation.”
EMER-GEN™ participant Jamil E. Castillo, Policy Research Fellow at the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, Washington D.C., explained, “One activity consisted in building consensus for space sustainability according to the United Nations Outer Space Treaty Guideline B.3− promoting collection, sharing and dissemination of space debris monitoring information. We were assigned countries to represent within different sectors such as industry, academia, civil and military space. Then, we met with like-sector representatives from other countries to develop international consensus on the guideline. The delegates came to understand how nations reach agreements, and learned about the objectives of each sector.”
This is my second year as an EMER-GEN™ participant. The conference offers a big picture in a dynamic and inspiring space-industry environment. Thanks MEDB, for bringing numerous educational opportunities to Maui!
Diana Agdeppa, Boeing Corporation, Maui
Oct 16, 2019 | Events
As a global leader in Alzheimer’s research, the Alzheimer’s Association® leads through innovation, bringing together government, industry, and academia to advance global collaboration of researchers. Together, they work on causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In Hawaii, the Alzheimer’s Association® Aloha Chapter mission is to provide care and support for everyone affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Alzheimer’s, the sixth most prevalent disease in the United States, takes more lives than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
“On Maui, we have unique challenges and limited resources,” said Christine Spencer, Regional Coordinator, Maui County. “The average cost to take care of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease is over 150,000 dollars a year. This, compounded with Maui’s high cost of living and lack of affordable housing, puts families on the island in really tough situations.”
The Alzheimer’s Association® strives to offer support services to families around the clock, with a 24/7 hotline for crisis or questions. This can be done by telephone or in-person by scheduling an appointment. They offer free care consultations that assist in planning for and coping with the disease, as well as professional trainings. Year-round educational classes are offered in topics ranging from legal and financial planning to understanding dementia-related behaviors.
“It is important that caregivers know that they are not alone,” Spencer said. “There are 65,000 people in Hawaii who are caregivers, an unpaid job that could be considered one of the most difficult jobs out there. We encourage people to join one of our support groups or classes. We all have so much to learn from each other when it comes to fighting this disease— leading the way to Alzheimer’s first survivors.”
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday October 26th, 2019, at the Boys and Girls Club in Kahului. “It is a special event that recognizes people who have the disease, loved ones lost to the disease, and the thousands of caregivers in the community,” said Spencer. “We believe that, together, we can fight Alzheimer’s and find a cure!”
We have an incredibly generous community on Maui. With their support, and with the funds we raise at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, we are expanding our efforts to unreached communities in Molokai and Hana. For more information contact: Christine Spencer at 808-591-2771 ext. 8235 or go to www.alz.org/hawaii.
Christine Spencer, Alzheimer’s Association® Regional Coordinator, Maui County
