May 8, 2019 | Community
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend while investing in STEM education. MEDB invites you to our annual fundraising dinner, “Pathways To Our Future.”
Where: Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui
When: Saturday, August 31, 2019
4:30 pm: Reception and Silent Auction
6:00 pm: Dinner and Live Auction
Enjoy a festive evening of food, fun and camaraderie…
- BID on over 150 fabulous items during the Apples for Education Auction
- COMPETE in teams during MEDB’s signature interactive game
- ENJOY memorable presentations by Maui County’s STEM stars
- CONGRATULATE this year’s student and teacher award winners
Proceeds go to advance MEDB’s STEM programs from kindergarten to careers; as well as enabling MEDB to continue to pursue meaningful pathways that benefit the lives of our residents in Maui County and statewide.
Individual seats are $200. Save $15/person on individual tickets, if you register and pay by July 4th.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For information and reservations, please visit: www.medb.org/KAH
May 1, 2019 | Education, Small Business
On May 8-9, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), with the support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, will present their 3nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC) at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Attendees will learn key strategies from national and local business leaders, in sessions, workshops and exhibits, on topics such as employee engagement, technology in business, video marketing, data protection, success planning, tax strategies, and more.
“This conference condenses a number of important, relevant topics into a short period of time,” said Gerry Smith, MEDB’s Director of Business Development. “It gives people access to experts who provide invaluable insights to expand knowledge and find solutions to problems. It also provides a forum to network with like-minded people and industry peers.”
On Day 1, Jules Kremer, Technical Project Manager at Google, will speak on ‘Google My Business: Free Tools to Empower Small and Midsize Businesses’. On Day 2, Kremer will be joined by her colleague, Alexandrina Garcia-Verdin, to go further in depth in a workshop on using free Google apps to grow one’s community and business. After 20 years in the technology industry focused on software development and business strategy, Kremer joined Google in 2010 leading a team of strategists and analysts focused on strategic market intelligence. Recently, she began leading the Developer Relations teams for Cloud Startups, Higher Education and G Suite Developer Platform—all tools for organizations to use.
“Small business owners have so much to do,” said Kremer, “from building a business plan to building a team and working with customers. At Google we’ve seen a need to understand the tools and services that can help small businesses when they’re just starting out and as they grow. I’ll be sharing an overview of some ways Google can help build both the business and customer engagement.”
On Day 2, three-hour workshops running parallel both morning and afternoon include: Essential Systems for Small Business Success; Tax Strategies for Small Business; How to Use Free Tools to Grow my Community and Business; and Intellectual Property and Branding.
As a Maui resident, I’m excited to share technology with local Hawaii business owners, empower them for success, and help local businesses navigate today’s online world.
Jules Kremer, Technical Project Manager, Google
For more info visit: www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
Apr 24, 2019 | Education, Small Business
On May 8-9, 2019, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), with the support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, will present their 3nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The event, coinciding with National Small Business Week, recognizes the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Attendees will learn key strategies from national and local business leaders, in sessions, workshops and exhibits on topics such as employee engagement, technology in business, video marketing, data protection, success planning, tax strategies and more.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy in Hawaii,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “It is critical that they be nurtured and protected if we want our overall economy to grow. That’s one of the main reasons why this conference was created—to help small businesses grow.”
TJ Schier, President and Founder of SMART Restaurant Group, will give the conference keynote, speaking on his 7 Essential Systems for Small Business Success. Among the insights Schier will share during his keynote and during his Day 2 workshop are his three-pronged strategies for building a team of top performers. Schier noted, “It includes focusing on the mission, to provide a compass for everyone on the business team; retaining the right people and letting the wrong people go; and creating a magnetic culture to attract more of the right people.”
TJ has written numerous books and designs training and guest service programs on topics such as building a team of top performers, hiring, guest service and systems. Following his keynote, TJ will moderate a panel featuring Kim Svetin, Moloka‘i Drugs, Danny Boren, Skyline Eco-Adventures and Lisa Paulson of Maui Hotel and Lodging Association to discuss how Engaging Your Front Line Increases your Bottom Line.
Opening day also includes Talk Story segments with business owners Rachael Ray, U’I Gallery; Teri Edmonds, If the Shoe Fits; and Jason Higa from Zippy’s Restaurants, talking about their business experiences. On Day 2, four three-hour workshops provide an opportunity to go deeper into some of the topics. Further information can be found at www.hawaiismall.biz
“My workshop on Essential Systems for Small Business Success will help companies become more effective.”
TJ Schier, SMART Restaurant Group President and Founder
For a full conference schedule and list of presenters, visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
Apr 17, 2019 | Innovation
L to R: Abigail Anthony, Rhode Island PUC: James Griffin, Chairman of the Hawaii PUC: Governor David Ige; Jennie Potter, Hawaii PUC; Michael Picker, President of the California PUC.
A number of key decision makers from throughout the state and nation exchanged ideas on the challenges associated with replacing fossil fuels with diverse and renewable energy resources during the 6th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference (HEC) and Exhibition at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, this year’s conference theme was Innovation in Practice.
“MEDB has focused on the importance of investment, the technical and policy challenges, and the centrality of consumers in the journey,” said Frank De Rego, Jr., Vice Chair, Conference Program Committee, and Director of Business Development Projects at MEDB. “HEC participants benefited from the conference’s thought-provoking keynote speakers, panel sessions, case studies, and exhibits, with ample networking time.”
A highlight of HEC was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by James Griffin, Chairman of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and Michael Picker, President of the California PUC.
According to Griffin, “The MOU establishes a framework for the Hawaii and California PUCs to collaborate toward the implementation of clean, renewable energy. It also gives us a more formal way of sharing resources.” Picker noted, “California and Hawaii have the same kind of challenges. Hawaii has large amounts of solar on very thin grids, which we have in many parts of our state. We are eager to work together.”
Governor Ige added, “Hawaii is at the forefront for a 100-percent renewable energy future. The goal is for the utility, consumers, and investors to have the right incentives to create a win-win for all.”
Hawaii Commissioner Jennifer Potter concluded, “The California and Hawaii PUCs will now officially collaborate to address climate change, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By entering into a MOU, staff at each Commission will undertake actions within their mandate to further these goals. This was a remarkable opportunity for the Hawaii PUC to make a strong public commitment to reducing carbon emissions and accelerate clean energy in our state. I am honored to have worked on the MOU.”
Hawaii’s goal is to be truly sustainable and self-reliant.
David Y. Ige, Governor of the State of Hawaii
Apr 10, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks™ Program and the Maui County Healthcare Partnership recently presented a STEMworks™ Live Webcast. Approximately 330 Maui County students logged into the virtual program to hear five local and national STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) professionals discuss career pathways in healthcare.
“Building an online learning platform where students and teachers have the ability to connect with the future workforce is an amazing opportunity,” said Lalaine Pasion, STEMworks™ Project Manager. “This technology can have a fundamental and meaningful impact on our generation. There is a tremendous need for healthcare workers, locally and globally. Bringing information about numerous career opportunities into the classroom is a way to introduce students to the field and the tools to achieve their dreams.”
The line-up of presenters included, Dr. Kimble Poon, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist from Kaiser Permanente; Dr. Kelley Withy, professor at UH John A. Burns School of Medicine and Director of the Hawaii Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC); Leomer Domingo, Health & Safety Trainer; Kristin Mills, Public Health Educator, Maui Department of Health (DOH); and Benton Turner, Pacific Cancer Institute.
“Every year our understanding of the heart improves, and we learn better ways to treat our patients,” said Dr. Poon, while explaining to the students how the heart works, what an electrocardiogram does, and how and why different pacemakers are used. “Medicine is a skill that takes self-discipline,” he said. “However, the rewards of helping the community are priceless.”
At AHEC, Dr. Withy provides educational outreach, recruitment, and training to over 3,000 students a year. “Anyone who wants to be a doctor or healthcare professional, my office helps you,” she said. Kristin Mills, DOH, explained, “Public Health is applied science to create a healthy community. We must care for our body, mind, and spirit.” Parker Kahoohanohano, a Kihei Charter School 4th grader commented, “I liked learning about being healthy. Plus, I learned what steps to take to get into the military and attend college, the importance of CPR and first-aid training, and about careers in healthcare. Thanks MEDB!”
I’ve always been motivated by a passion for learning and a desire to serve, so medicine and teaching was a natural fit for me. STEMworks™ Live is a great way to introduce students to available opportunities.
Dr. Kimble Poon, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Kaiser Permanente
