Aug 23, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
The STEMworks™ Summer Internships, created by Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project (WIT), provided high school and college students with a dynamic six-week program at host organizations throughout the state. Interns and companies both benefitted as industry mentors offered invaluable knowledge, advice, and career insight to the aspiring young STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and Agriculture students.
“Through WIT’s STEMworks™ Internship program, students had a unique opportunity to explore technical and professional development, and gain confidence in their ability to be a STEM professional,” said Denissa Andrade, WIT Program Assistant. “Interns also participated in WIT’s weekly webinars to help them develop college preparatory and career readiness skills.”
At this year’s Showcase Presentation student participants highlighted their experiences with their host company mentors. Using software such as Autodesk Civil3D to model engineering design, interns Jett Bolusan from Maui High School, and Sophia Davis from Kihei Charter School, explained how they aided Goodfellow Brothers Inc. (GBI) in developing infrastructure here in Maui County. “Land surveying is a vital part of the construction process,” said Bolusan and Davis. “Before construction can begin, the land must be accurately measured and matched to the designs of engineers. During our internship we learned how to read blueprints and design plans and essentially helped GBI in the various steps that lead up to land development.”
Kevin Clarke, Principal Surveyor at GBI and mentor, said, “This program is of great importance to the young and upcoming STEM professionals of tomorrow. When I was in high school no one showed me how the complicated concepts in physics and mathematics could have a meaningful effect on my career path and daily life.”
The significant achievements of MEDB’s internship program and other K-Careers Workforce and Business Development initiatives will be on display at its Annual Ke Alahele Dinner and Auction: Pathways to Our Future on August 26, 2017. For more information you can call (808) 875-2300 or visit MEDB’s website: http://www.medb.org.
MEDB is extremely grateful to our industry partners across the state for their investment in Hawai’i’s STEM workforce.
Denissa Andrade, WIT Project Assistant
Aug 16, 2017 | Community, Education
Jonathan Kamehanaokala Merchant, a 9th grader at Seabury Hall, has loved to read for as long as he can remember. For his 11th birthday party, he decided he didn’t really need any presents. “My parents and I talked about how my bookshelf was overflowing,” said Merchant. “I thought it would be a great idea to ask family and friends to bring gently used or new books for children, preteens, and young adults to donate, along with my books, to those in need.”
Merchant’s mom, Shelley, contacted Laks Abraham, former President and CPO of the Maui United Way, who suggested that he donate the books to Book Trust Maui. “The first year, 2014, I collected 250 books at my “birthday book-giving bash,” Merchant noted. “For my 12th and 13th birthdays, I collected another 400 books for a total of 650 books donated and distributed to children with the help of Maui United Way.”
This year for his 14th birthday he wanted to collect another 350 books to reach 1,000 books over the four year period. Because he is also a Boy Scout with Troop 40, he thought collecting books would be a great community service project and way to gather more books.
Merchant contacted Cub Scout Pack 40, which he was in when he was younger, and made arrangements to go to one of their Pack meetings to collect whatever books the scouts wanted to donate. With the help of his Cub Scout friends and others who heard about his project, he collected another 750 books! With the assistance of Laks Abraham and the Maui United Way, all the books were donated to PATCH (People Attentive to Children), which gives away books to families and children.
“I have now collected around 1,400 books and donated them all to charity,” Merchant explained. “It would not have been possible for me to donate all these books without community help, so I would like to thank everyone for all the work they have done gathering and sharing their favorite books with me.”
I hope these books inspire other kids to love reading as much as I do!
Jonathan Merchant, Seabury Hall 9th grade
Aug 9, 2017 | Innovation, Stemworks
This summer, middle-school girls statewide had the opportunity to attend Excite Camp, a Women in Technology (WIT) program sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). The mission of WIT is to encourage women and girls to pursue education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in the state of Hawaii. Excite Camp focuses on today’s most in-demand career fields, combining lectures, hands-on activities, geospatial technologies and on-site tours.
“The last 17 years, Excite Camp has been held on Maui and open to all Maui County middle-school girls,” said Mapu Quitazol, WIT Program Manager. “Three years ago we went statewide, hosting camps on Oahu, Hawaii Island and Molokai, and this year on Kauai. The camp builds confidence and motivates our young ladies with STEM activities, teaching them that they can do anything they set their hearts on. Each island has the same agenda but very different activities and cultural site visits. For example, on Maui we visited Pacific Biodiesel Technologies which produces fuel from sunflowers, Hawaii’s largest biofuel crop project.”
The camp attendance has been kept to 24-30 girls to create a small, intimate group. Each participant joins a group of four and is led by a female mentor. The mentor, who acts as a role model, explains the activities and works with students, helping them feel comfortable in their surroundings. “At the end of the four-day program the girls are no longer strangers, but colleagues and friends,” said Excite Camp mentor Dominie Miyasato. “In addition to getting excited about STEM, they learn the value of teamwork, communication and honoring their island heritage.”
Gracie May Gomes, Lokelani Intermediate School 7th grader, said, “Excite Camp offered so many hands-on activities that forced me to be creative and problem-solve by thinking outside the box. I was so inspired to invent and create new things.” Gomes’ mom, Annie, agreed. “I can’t thank MEDB enough! Excite Camp provided a wonderful opportunity for my daughter and the other girls by revealing the STEM career opportunities available to them right here in Hawaii.”
Excite Camp is successful due to our great community partners who are willing to share their knowledge, time, and resources to come and teach our girls fun, hands-on STEM experiments.
Mapu Quitazol, MEDB WIT Program Manager
Aug 2, 2017 | Events
Maui residents who are curious about Electric Vehicles (EV) or hybrids will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about them at the “EV Showcase,” on Saturday, August 12th at Queen Kaahumanu Center, 10 am to 2 pm. The event will feature a variety of both EV and hybrid makes and models including Kia, Tesla, Toyota, Chevy, Nissan and BMW. Experts will give tips on the benefits of purchasing or leasing these vehicles; offer advice on financing from Maui County Federal Credit Union and HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and Maui Electric Company (MECO) will compare their EVWatt Plan to the costs of a conventional vehicle. Additionally, there will be refreshments, prize drawings and giveaways.
JUMPSmartMaui will also launch EVohana during the event. Membership in EVohana provides access to 44 chargers across 13 Fast Charger stations island-wide. MEDB has accepted ownership of these stations to assure continuity of the fast charging network service in Maui.
“Consumer demand for EVs and hybrids has never been higher,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB’s President and CEO. “Batteries with more charge capacity, more charging stations, the price of gasoline, and residents becoming more environmentally conscious are all contributing factors.”
Sharon Suzuki, President of MECO, explained, “As we work to achieve a complete clean energy future, electrification of ground transportation will play an integral role in reducing our state’s overall carbon footprint and increasing use of renewable resources on our islands. It’s through partnerships like the EV Showcase that we hope to fuel interest to get more EVs on our roads.”
Fred Redell, Energy Commissioner for the County of Maui, added, “Options for electric vehicles are expanding rapidly as new models are being introduced by almost every car manufacturer. New options and an expanding market mean opportunity and Maui County is pleased to see MEDB and MECO increasing awareness.” According to the vehicle registration database, there are a total of 737 all-electric vehicles registered in Maui County in addition to 3,525 hybrid-electric vehicles. For more information email: info@jumpstartmaui.com or call (808) 875-2300.
The EV Showcase is an excellent way to get answers to frequently asked questions about EV and hybrid vehicles.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
Jul 26, 2017 | Community, Education
On Saturday, August 26, 2017, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) will hold their annual fundraiser dinner and auction Pathways to Our Future at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea. Guests will celebrate MEDB’s 35th Anniversary and the achievements of students in their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs. MEDB’s mission is to inspire and engage students in exciting mentor-based programs that build STEM skills and foster self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Ke Alahele Education Fund grantee, Maui High School (MHS) Robotics Program, has many accomplishments to be proud of. Their determination and commitment has successfully brought them to the 2016-2017 seasons, their 10th year. “Every year, at their school, the MHS team hosts the Maui VEX Robotics Tournament,” said Dian Taroma, MHS Robotics team captain. “The students are continuously challenged to design, build, and program new robots.”
Taroma continued, “MEDB’s grants for our school’s robotics program exposed me to the STEM field and its range of career options. As a result, the whole team gained skills that are fundamental to our future.” Taroma’s brother, Denmark, has been in robotics all four years of high school. “I started off as a builder and improved along the way becoming one of the build captains on the team,” he explained. “Being in robotics, designing and putting the robot together, has taught me the values of being a leader.”
Team member Maureen Ang noted, “Without the support from MEDB, the team would not have been able to reach our full potential. We were able to build and program the best robot we could, travel, and ship our robot to our competitions.”
Mary Chin added her experience, “VEX is always a challenge, no matter your skill level. Everyone is constantly altering designs and rebuilding up until the last minute. Despite the seemingly endless frustrations we face, the overall problem-solving skills and abilities to function well in a group setting are priceless. MEDB’s grant has greatly helped us in more ways than one.”
The MHS robotics program, even after the first season, leaves students with a vision and a sense that they can create their own future.
Denmark Taroma, MHS 2017 graduate
