Jul 22, 2015 | Small Business
When it comes to understanding one’s financials all types of businesses could use a boost. Such was the overwhelming sentiment by those who recently attended MEDB’s Technical Assistance Series workshop, “Boosting Your Financial IQ,” on Wednesday, July 15th.
Held at the MEDB Malcolm Center in Kihei, over 30 people attended the workshop led by accounting experts from Personal Accountant Inc. – CEO/Founder Lisa Wells, President Anastasia Winslow, and Associate in the Accounting/GE Tax Department Chelsea Smith.
While various industries were represented ranging from agriculture, construction, finance, and hospitality to information services, manufacturing, retail, science/technology services – they all shared a common goal: to learn more about how they can improve their businesses’ efficiency, promote good accounting practices, and ultimately save on their taxes.
“When you work for someone, your financials are done for you,” said Cecelia Hercik, Managing Director of Olavine Spa & Salon in Wailea Gateway Center. “But when you own your own business, you have to create your own accounts and understand what really makes financial sense.”
In addition to covering a variety of financial topics, the workshop also provided an opportunity for attendees to network with each other and to meet with the accounting experts on their own company’s accounting books, financial statements, and business setup.
MEDB’s Technical Assistance Series: Foundations for Business Success was created in an effort to help small businesses establish strong systems, processes, tools, and best practices to build a solid foundation for success.
“It is essential for any business to have a solid plan rooted in sound principles and practice to be competitive,” said Frank De Rego Jr., Director of Business Development Projects at Maui Economic Development Board. “The accounting seminar and the other workshops in the series can help businesses build their human capital in knowledge and skills, thus improving services and systems while giving team members more time to focus on growth strategies and customer care. Ultimately, these strategies will help businesses succeed.”
The “Boosting Your Financial IQ” workshop was sponsored by the County of Maui, Maui Economic Development Board, and Personal Accountant Inc.
The next MEDB Technical Assistance Series workshop, “Minding Your Own Business: Entrepreneurial Psychology Basics and You,” will be held on Tuesday, August 4th. Led by prominent entrepreneurial psychologist Dr. Jennifer Johnston-Jones, attendees will be guided through steps to rediscover their own strength, perseverance, and creativity by overcoming perceived limits then applying those hard won lessons in building their business.
For more information and to register online, visit www.medb.org/minding-your-own-business or contact Frank De Rego Jr. at MEDB: email frank@medb.org or call (808) 270-6807.
Jul 15, 2015 | Education, Stemworks
The fun, new STEMworks AFTERschool Program for the 2015-2016 school year, presented by the Women in Technology (WIT) project of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), is for boys and girls, grades 6, 7 and 8. The program addresses the need to stimulate interest and skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and to apply it to real world issues. It hopes to nurture student interest into their high school and post-secondary education, as well as prepare them to meet the workforce needs of their communities in viable careers. “STEMworks AFTERschool curricula are developed in close consultation with industry and education partners,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB’s vice president and director of WIT. “The flexible structure of the curriculum allows teachers to align with in-school science and math curricula and the needs of students.”
The program includes an emphasis on coordination between the academic and enrichment activities offered in the after-school program and the coursework students complete during the school day. “The enrichment lessons and activities are interactive in order to teach the curriculum in a different way. This can benefit students who struggle in a regular classroom environment,” said Wilkins. Unlike any other class in Hawai’i’s middle and high school curriculum, STEMworks is a multi-faceted, hands-on program where students get to use the most current, high-end technologies in actual learning projects. “This is more than an after-school science club!” Wilkins said, noting participants will acquire skills to adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape.
“Having the partnership with MEDB and the 21st Century grant to form the STEMworks AFTERschool program will provide our students with state-of-the-art equipment, trained staff to run the programs and support for training,” said Jennifer Suzuki of Maui Waena Intermediate. Other schools in the STEMworks AFTERschool program are: Iao Intermediate, Lanai High and Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and St. Anthony Junior High.
Jul 8, 2015 | Small Business
Receive invaluable advice from accounting experts on how to improve your business’s efficiency, promote good accounting practices, and ultimately save on your taxes.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 9:30 am – 2 pm
MEDB’s Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Ste. #5 Kihei, HI 96753
Admission is $20 • Lunch will be provided • Reservation required • Space is limited
Register online • Full details
Jul 1, 2015 | Environment
The recent National Geographic Workshop in Honolulu provided approximately 50 teachers from across the state with a deeper understanding of geography concepts and skills. The National Geographic Society funded the workshop in partnership with Maui Economic Development Board. “In this workshop, the teachers learned that geography is an essential element in the social studies curriculum,” said Robert Sternthall, Lahainaluna High School Social Studies Department. The first speaker, Dr. Hong Jiang, Chair of Geography at UH Manoa, enlightened the educators with case studies on change in Waikiki and the geography of tea as examples of interesting stories that convey geographic concepts. “Daniel Lin of the Pacific Voyaging Society shared how to track the canoes from their website and how to contact the crew,” said Sternthall, noting that a statewide emphasis has been placed on this voyage as a way to teach students in an integrated manner.
The group was introduced to C3 Framework, a new initiative designed to enhance the social studies curriculum. “It is based on inquiry, using compelling and supporting questions to enhance student engagement and learning,” Sternthall said. MEDB’s K-12 Project Director for Women in Technology, Isla Young, introduced teachers to the exciting world of geospatial technology. Sternthall explained, “She showed us how to avail ourselves of geographic information systems, data and mapping software from ESRI and ARCGIS. This is exciting because now we have access to this technology for our students to broaden their geographic skills in the classroom.”
Brenda Barr of the National Geographic Alliance for Educators instructed the group in the first phase of training to become certified National Geographic educators. “We hope this will strengthen the teaching of geography in Hawai’i,” said Sternthall. On the last day of the workshop the participants spent most of the day working on lessons using the C3 Framework. “We worked in groups according to the content that we are teaching,” Sternthall said. “It was a very productive workshop,” he added. “Not only did we learn new information, but we also brought home many ideas that we can use with our students.”
Jun 24, 2015 | Events
“During Women in Technology’s Space Day program I learned about motorized robotic machines called Scribble Bots. I made one and it scribbles!”
— Kristen Santiago, 5th grade student, Kaunakakai Elementary School, Molokai
