Oct 9, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) brought together a record-breaking 919 participants from 18 countries, the largest in its history. The premier technical conference in the nation devoted to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM), AMOS included a cross-section of private sector, government, and academic participation addressing the full spectrum of economic and technical aspects of space security and space policy from a global perspective.
“Discussions included views on effective international cooperation in space and the long-term sustainability of the space environment,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “With the advent of mega constellations, active spacecraft and inactive objects in orbit, the total number of space objects is likely to double within the next decade. This will increase the probability of collisions, making normal daily life vulnerable to any disruption in the functioning of satellites.”
Held at the Wailea Beach Resort-Marriott, Maui, the conference attracted nearly 200 technical papers. Selected papers will be published in the American Astronautical Society’s Journal of Astronautical Sciences. In addition to the technical sessions, the AMOS Conference included keynote speakers, policy forums, exhibit and poster sessions, technical short courses, networking events, and best paper and best student awards.
Kevin O’ Connell, Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce, explained in his keynote, “Improving SSA and STM is one of the essential enablers of a rapidly growing commercial space economy. The Commerce Department plays a role in the international cooperation efforts, working to ensure that the global market for satellite survey and communication services remains open and fair to all countries.”
Preceding the AMOS Conference, the 2nd Annual EMER-GEN program for young professionals (age 35 and under) studied real problems in space with the world’s best mentors through team-based cultural and leadership activities. “Multiple teams, multiple agendas, multilateral diplomatic relations, all funneled into a SSA presentation to see which teams succeeded in properly managing their space program,” said Dylan Schwarzmeier, Pacific Defense Solutions. “This was an unimaginably fun bootcamp for critical thinking.”
The AMOS Conference welcomed 150 Maui County middle and high school students and educators to meet astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and visit exhibit booths for hands-on science activities.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
Oct 2, 2019 | Community
Keola and Moana Beamer, Hawaii’s First Music Couple, tour the world to present their unique vision of Hawaii’s cultural arts and to share aloha. Keola, a master musician and slack key artist, who earned a place on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums Chart, and Moana, renowned for her mastery of authentic hula dancing, bring life to the natural beauty and cultural awareness that makes Hawaii uniquely appealing.
“Since my husband and I began touring together, the value of connecting with different communities has been quite apparent to us,” said Moana. “Over time, it seems our work has opened numerous paths for sharing aloha around the world.”
Moana reflected, “One such path began as an opportunity to meet and work with Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Dr. Tom Vendetti on a film project called ‘The Quietest Place’. We hit it off and from there followed an invitation to participate in a film festival Vendetti had begun in Cambodia, where a large group of enthusiastic children prepared a hula performance to welcome us.”
“Keola wondered aloud what these children might also accomplish with a ukulele in their hands,” said Moana. “The instrument that many of us here in Hawaii have been blessed to grow up with—four strings, simple, portable, historically well-traveled, versatile. Perfect!”
The following year, the hotel that sponsored the Angkor Wat Film Festival had generously agreed to host the Beamer’s Ukulele Education Project, providing space for classes and meals for the children. Bringing teachers from their Aloha Music Camp, the Beamers’ taught 40 poverty-stricken children living in Cambodia how to play the ‘ukulele. The children are now performing concerts in Siem Reap. The Beamers’ hope to continue this effort, sharing the aloha spirit in Myanmar, as well as other places around the world.
“I am sure there can be no better outcome for those individuals who helped make it all possible,” Moana said. “But, best of all, for the children whose lives we were privileged to touch for a brief moment in time. It was one of those experiences that enlighten our sensibilities for a long time to come.”
Aloha Music Camp, a week-long immersion into the music, dance, and culture of Hawaii, provides ukuleles, and more, to persons who want to immerse themselves in island culture at the camp. For more camp information visit www.mohalahou.org and www.alohamusiccamp.com.
Moana Beamer
Sep 25, 2019 | Environment, Sustainability
Maui Electric Company has informed the Public Utilities Commission of its intent to move forward with the ownership and operation of four electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging sites in the existing EVohana network on Maui. The EVohana sites, temporarily owned and operated by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), were initially established as part of the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project, a cooperative venture between Japan, the State of Hawaii, County of Maui, MEDB, Hitachi and Maui Electric. Operating from 2011 to 2017, it demonstrated smart-grid technologies that could enable the efficient use of renewable energy on an island grid.
“MEDB, as a nonprofit organization, took on temporary ownership and operation of the EV charging infrastructure in an effort to keep the network in place,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO. “We appreciate Maui Electric for stepping up to ensure our island continues to have access to reliable public fast-charging options for EV drivers. Without Maui Electric taking on some of these sites, the entire EVohana charging network would have been retired earlier this year.”
At the conclusion of the JUMPSmartMaui project, ownership of the charging assets were transferred to MEDB until a permanent owner and operator of the sites could be confirmed. MEDB partnered with Hitachi to create a new, temporary program called EVohana, which ended March 31, 2019.
Covering the Central, South, West and Upcountry Maui areas, the sites, allowing more EV types to charge, are located at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center, Lahaina Aquatic Center, and Pukalani Terrace. EV drivers will be able to “pay-as-you-go” with multiple ways to initiate charging sessions, from smartphone apps to credit cards. Rates will be as low as 0.28 cents per kilowatt-hour between 9am and 5pm.
“As we work to add more clean energy to power our islands, EVs can play an important role in further reducing our dependency on fossil fuel and protecting our environment,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “We are pleased to add our support by taking on the four sites with lower charging rates that encourage plugging in when we have a lot of solar energy on the electrical system.”
This October, Maui Electric, along with Hawaiian Electric and Hawaii Electric Light, will be proposing a comprehensive electrification-of-transportation workplan that further details the companies’ expanded role in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure for Maui County, Oahu and Hawaii Island.
Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric, President
Sep 18, 2019 | Innovation
The 2019 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation (DKII) Award was presented to the Baldwin High School Team during Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction. The award, named in memory of the late senator, is the highest student honor that MEDB bestows. It recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate the most innovative use of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to serve and improve the community. The award recipients, Cameron Loewen, Kalila Phillips, Victoria Teoh, Brandon Wong, and Trisha Roy, Baldwin High School STEMworks™ advisor, each won $ 2,000 for creating a product to stimulate coral regrowth− mitigating the effects of coral bleaching.
“Our project is about coral and the detrimental effects of coral bleaching,” the students explained. “We focused on the coral species Pocillopora Eydouxi, a fragile, near-endangered branching coral. Our purpose was to create a strong base for the coral by cutting and gluing small pieces of it onto concrete. Then, when we planted it in the nursery, it had a strong enough base for the coral pieces to merge and grow together faster.”
On average, coral grows up to only five centimeters a year, which is why the team designed a mold and concrete model in a shape that would support their chosen species. By cutting the coral and planting it in a controlled nursery, it grew centimeters within a couple months.
“We started researching and brainstorming many possible ideas,” they said. “We knew we needed a strong base and wanted four arms as the starter branches. This way the branches would never tangle as it was forced to grow outwards. We were able to manipulate the coral over the concrete model, nursing them until they were strong enough to merge and live in the ocean.”
The students concluded, “Our project matters to the community because we can promote faster coral growth and awareness about global warming and coral bleaching. We were able to provide a possible solution to an irreversible situation, and are still working on the project. We are honored to win the 2019 DKII Award!”
As a STEMworks™ teacher, I am so grateful our students are exposed to emerging STEM careers and tools provided to us by MEDB’s STEMworks™. MEDB enables us to prepare students for future careers.
Trisha Roy, Baldwin High School STEMworks™ advisor
Sep 11, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) held their annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, Pathways to Our Future, on Labor Day at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui. “MEDB nurtures Maui County students’ passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “From offering our original STEMworks™ service-learning initiatives, to providing needed training, internships, and resources to empower a new generation of leaders and innovators, MEDB is dedicated to creating meaningful pathways to benefit the lives of residents today and tomorrow.”
Over 500 guests attended the event that included Apples for Education Silent and Live Auctions; The Price Is Right (STEM edition game); and memorable presentations by Maui County’s STEM students, teachers, and stakeholders. Winners of two prestigious 2019 STEM awards were also announced. The Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award (DKII) recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated the most innovative use of STEM tools and programs to serve and improve the community. The Czechowicz Award recognizes exceptional educators in Maui Nui.
Recipients of the Czechowicz Award, and $5,000 each, went to Elizabeth Conroy-Humphrey of Lanai High & Elementary School, Jennifer Suzuki of Maui Waena Intermediate School, and David Kawika Gonzales of Kaunakakai Elementary School for their dedication to the teaching profession.
Wilkins noted, “The DKII is the highest student honor that MEDB bestows. Named in memory of the late Senator, who anchored this MEDB Ke Alahele event for many years and was our foundation for supporting STEM education, this annual award is presented to a Maui County student project team that demonstrates the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community.”
The 2019 DKII went to the Baldwin High School team: Cameron Loewen, Kalila Phillips, Victoria Teoh, and Brandon Wong. Each of the four students and their teacher Trisha Roy received $2,000 for creating a product to help stimulate coral regrowth and mitigate the effects of coral bleaching.
Roy said, “As a STEMworks™ teacher, I am so grateful to MEDB for providing our students with tools to prepare them for future STEM careers.”
Proceeds raised will help to advance MEDB’s STEM education programs from kindergarten to careers and enable MEDB to continue to pursue meaningful pathways that benefit the lives of residents in Maui County and statewide.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB, President & CEO
