Nov 4, 2020 | Community
Rev. Dr. Cindy Paulos, a Maui music producer, author, poet, lyricist, composer, artist, and announcer on multiple stations for KAOI radio, was named a UNESCO Cross-Cultural & Peace Crafters Award Laureate by the United Nations (UN). UNESCO, a specialized agency of the UN, aims at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The virtual award ceremony, held during the commemoration of the 2020 International Day for Peace, honored artists, scientists and social-justice activists from around the world.
Paulos, host of the longest-running radio talk show on Maui, has done over 18,000 interviews over the years, with eight of her CDs submitted for Grammy considerations. She is currently writing her seventh book, and is involved with The Peace Projects, an inspirational endeavor at the UNESCO Center for Peace.
“I was honored to be recognized by UNESCO for my peace efforts,” Paulos said. “It would have been wonderful to go to the UN for the event, but, understandably, it was on Zoom.
My background is in communications; therefore I will be sharing the Peace Projects being done by Hawai’ian peace-workers and others around the world, via radio and website. By spreading the word, we can inspire people to work for harmony and goodwill in their communities and worldwide. My award motivates me to do more, as I am so touched by the work done internationally by other UNESCO recipients.”
Award-winning Maui filmmaker Dr. Tom Vendetti reflected, “It is refreshing to know that there are influential people working in the media who are committed to promoting peace and harmony on our island and in the world. Cindy Paulos is one of those individuals. She walks her talk by creating beautiful spoken word albums that share the concept of aloha. Her radio programs have touched millions of lives around the world, resulting in a continuous flow of positive energy, promoting love and compassionate thinking.”
Hawai’ian slack-key guitarist and Grammy Award nominee Keola Beamer noted, “With her tireless efforts to keep the public informed, combined with her love of community and culture, Paulos is a wonderful credit to Hawaii’s artistic community.”
The world is in dire need of peacemakers. We all need to contribute, each in our own way, to making it just a little better.
Cindy Paulos, Music Producer, Author, Poet, Radio Announcer
Oct 7, 2020 | Community
As Maui County faces uncertain times, Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui (BGCM) is still doing whatever it takes to serve youth, families, and the island community. All the clubs are open for Virtual Clubhouse Time, weekdays from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. The live, interactive virtual time adapts the award-winning programs for which BGCM has been known over the last 20 years, into a virtual environment using Zoom virtual meeting software.
“We are reaffirming our commitment to island families by opening our Virtual Clubhouse Time to all of Maui’s school-aged keiki, not just our active membership,” said BGCM Director of Operations, Stephen Bennett. “Our goal is to reconnect Maui, so any child from anywhere in Maui County, including Molokai and Lanai can join any clubhouse they wish. We have waived the five dollar annual membership fee until 2021, so there are fewer barriers to learning and participating in fun and engaging activities with their peers.”
Utilizing the Zoom program, BGCM Clubhouse staff are providing their members a full calendar of virtual activities including Power Hour, Project Learn, Smart Moves, Fitness-at-Home, Nutrition-at-Home, Hawaiian Marine Science and Ecosystems, Electronic Smoking Device/Anti-Vaping Education, Bridge2Math mathematics support, Keystone and Torch Club programming, and more. The Zoom platform gives BGCM the capacity to host up to 300 members at a time and provide safety measures, enabling their staff to have control over audio and video connections. Students have great interaction with their friends, seeing and talking with them safely. Also, the staff ensures that appropriate behavior is exhibited and acceptable content is shared. Zoom provides the means to do this, allowing only authorized visitors to join the virtual sessions.
“We want to make sure that we are available to the youth and their families with a sustainable platform that can keep them safe,” said Bennett. “Our programs are specifically designed to offer academic support as well as social interaction. Our staff is committed to taking care of our kids, and they have become virtually strong. Thank you to all of our community partners, supporters, and donors. Stay safe and healthy!”
The Virtual Clubhouse is here and it is fun! We are posting a calendar so you can choose what most interests your child at www.BGCMaui.org
Stephen Bennett, BGCM Director of Operations
Sep 30, 2020 | Community, Events
During this time of many health challenges in our life, family, community and the world, it is worthwhile to explore ways to live healthier and happier at home. For example, while we cannot get together for safety reasons, we can still honor seasonal changes and traditions. As Fall approaches, a time of celebration begins in many northern-hemisphere cultures. In Hawaii, one such tradition is the Mid-Autumn Celebration, also known as the Chinese Moon Festival. Honoring the joy of harvest, family and friends reunite during this time of bounty, offering thanks for an abundance of fruits, vegetables and grains.
“Regretfully, the Chinese Moon Festival usually celebrated at Lahaina’s Wo Hing Temple on Front Street is cancelled this year due to the pandemic,” said Dr. Busaba Yip, Wo Hing Museum Docent and Cultural Director. “However, we can still honor the island’s harvest of locally grown products as well as esteemed traditions from China. One of the most important Chinese festivals, the observance is an ancient tradition commemorating the completeness and abundance of life. It occurs during the harvest moon on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The date in the Western calendar changes annually. This year, it falls on Thursday, October 1, 2020.
“It is sad that we cannot have a community gathering this year,” Yip reflected. “Nevertheless, knowing the moon festival’s importance will enhance a celebration of the season at home. For example, people can observe the season with an outdoor service, creation walk or pilgrimage, or prepare meals using the fruits of the harvest season. Many symbolic foods are used to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to promote fertile fields and bigger crops. One of these foods, the moon cake, is the most distinctive. It is a sweet, round cake in the shape of the moon filled with lotus seeds, taro and black bean paste. Some have salted duck egg yolks at the center of each cake representing the moon. I wish you all a healthy, happy Moon Festival—Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le!”
Many thanks to Maui visitors and volunteers for supporting the tradition of the Chinese Moon Festival for our families and future generations.
Dr. Busaba Yip, Wo Hing Museum Docent and Cultural Director
Sep 23, 2020 | Community
Gabe Amey, founder and director of Our Kūpuna, is concerned about Hawaii’s elderly. “During the deadliest global pandemic our generation has ever seen, I asked myself, how can I help?” said Amey. “This service is that answer. Our Kūpuna was developed to serve a need in the community during a very uncertain time we know as Covid-19. It was launched statewide on March 23, 2020 as a community project started by the team behind Hawaii VA Loans and RISEHI Collective. As an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under Hawaii VA Foundation, The mission of Our Kūpuna is to connect Hawaii’s elderly with volunteer sponsors to help them with their daily needs during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, not all seniors in Hawaii have ‘ohana on-island to look out for them during these exceedingly difficult times. After orders for residents in the state to stay at home, many kūpuna were isolated, and everyday tasks, such as getting groceries, prescriptions, and other chores have become impossible for them to do alone.
“We are currently serving over 300 kūpuna, 65 years and older, on five islands and we want to get the word out more about Our Kūpuna,” Amey stated. “We need more volunteers. Our staff members do the screening and manage the volunteers. If everything works out, we connect them to kupuna in the area. Our motto, ‘one-to-one’, creates a special relationship with our network of volunteers in the field and the kūpuna they are helping.”
Amey emphasized, “We cannot help everyone, but everyone can help. Kūpuna do not have to pay for this service. It is free. All volunteers and sponsors are doing this to help in the community because so many seniors do not have family on island. The sponsor calls their kūpuna weekly to see if they need any necessary supplies so seniors can stay home. The main purpose of the volunteer service is to ensure kūpuna do not have to battle crowds at the grocery stores or struggle to get to other public places. It is about making sure the elderly have what they need without putting themselves at risk.”
Kūpuna, let us take care of you! For more information visit OurKupuna.com or call (808) 400-4506.
Gabe Amey, Our Kūpuna, Founder and Director
Aug 26, 2020 | Community
On August 1, 2020 Hawaiian Electric Company moved forward with the ownership and operation of the existing EVohana network on Maui, which has been temporarily owned and operated by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). The EVohana charging sites were initially established as part of the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project, a cooperative venture between, Japan, Hawaii, Maui, MEDB, Hitachi, and Hawaiian Electric. The pilot project operated from 2011 to 2017 to exhibit smart grid technologies that could enable the efficient use of renewable energy on an island grid.
“MEDB has been grateful for the longstanding partnerships and dedication of our EVohana members,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “You were the pioneers in adopting electric vehicles (EVs) in our community. Thank you for helping move us forward towards our clean-energy goals. We appreciate Hawaiian Electric for ensuring our island continues to have access to reliable public fast-charging options for EV drivers, and for planning to replace four sites with new systems. Without Hawaiian Electric taking on some of these sites, the entire EVohana charging network would have been retired earlier this year.”
Sharon Suzuki, President of Hawaiian Electric’s Maui County and Hawai’i Island Utilities, said, “Mahalo to the EVohana members and partners MEDB, Ulupono Initiative, and the County of Maui for helping to advance clean transportation on Maui through this EV charging program. With the retirement of the EVohana Program, we remain committed to bringing as many as four new public fast-charging sites online later this year.”
EVohana member Damon Glastetter added, “The project coordinated by MEDB was an important test of how electric vehicles and renewable energy will impact Maui and the planet in the near future and beyond. When the project started EVs were a novelty. Fast-charging was predicted to overwhelm the grid, and solar photovoltaic (PV) power was not as ubiquitous as we see now. I was happy to be involved with Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project, with my EV sending power back to the grid during peak demand hours. I look forward to a clean-energy future with more EVs and more PV.”
Maui has taken a leading role in the world adopting clean energy and this project is a major reason for that leadership. Thank you MEDB for your leadership in the EVohana.
Damon Glastetter, Solar-HI Maui, Jackson Electric, LLC
Aug 19, 2020 | Community, Sustainability
On Thursday August 27 at 9:00 pm, PBS Hawai’i will present the world premiere of Hawaiiana, a new documentary about the late Winona Kapuailohiamanonokalani Desha Beamer, or Aunty Nona as she was fondly called. Credited with coining the term Hawaiiana as early as 1949, Aunty Nona used it to describe the absolute best of all things Hawaiian: the people, their knowledge, culture, wisdom, and aloha. Keola Beamer, Aunty Nona’s oldest son, assisted by his wife Moanalani and veteran Maui-based filmmaker Tom Vendetti, made the documentary about the well-known and much loved Hawaiian heroine who is renowned for her integrity, scholarship, and love.
“My mother is a lifelong teacher of helping to nurture the love of hula and mele in Hawai’i, and her legendary wisdom continues to spread much needed aloha around the world,” said Keola, a Hawaiian slack-key guitarist and Grammy Award nominee. “She was a revered Hawaiian cultural treasure and is warmly remembered by thousands of her students. When Moanalani and I think of her many contributions, we are filled with gratitude. Her existence on this earth was a blessing to all.”
Vendetti said Beamer, his dear friend, asked him to do the project. “Even though there have been other films made about her, with basically people talking about her, this film is focused on Aunty Nona telling her own story, along with family members,” Vendetti explained. “After hearing Aunty Nona’s definition of Hawaiiana, I thought it would make a wonderful title for the film, as she explores, in her own words, the journey of her life and her fight toward preserving, perpetuating and creating awareness of Hawaiian culture. I was truly touched and honored to take on the project, which will also be distributed this Fall around the nation and beyond by American Public Television.”
Vendetti reflected, “Aunty Nona is still well-known as a pioneer, ali’i, musician and a humanitarian. Her wisdom of spreading aloha around the world is something that everyone should hear. Considering the current cultural issues that we are confronting, I think her message will resonate and offer hope for the world. She was truly a Lady of Aloha.”
Aunty Nona was the granddaughter of Helen Desha Beamer and cousin to Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame inductee Mahi Beamer.
Tom Vendetti, Maui-based Filmmaker
Aug 5, 2020 | Community, Small Business
Exciting projects, industry-best benefits and flexible working arrangements are a few of the reasons that Kihei-based Centauri was recently named a 2020 Hawai’i Best Place to Work by Hawaii Business Magazine. Centauri is a technology company providing high-end, creative software and engineering solutions to critical national security missions across space, cyber, missile defense and intelligence domains.
Although headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Centauri has a long-standing office in Kihei. The nearly 50 employees in Kihei support federal government customers in high-tech areas such as space domain awareness. Centauri’s corporate strategy brings together top experts in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), as well as intelligence operations and analysis.
“There is a sense of energy, drive, pride in accomplishment and commitment in the work at Centauri,” said Daron Nishimoto, Centauri Director of Advanced Technologies. “Our pervasive culture of excellence in all that we do defines who and what we are, as we focus on the important missions of our customers. Because our employees are our most valuable asset, we have built a company that recognizes the achievements of our team members.”
Centauri offers career opportunities and paid military leave for both veterans and their spouses, which is why more than 35% of employees are veterans. “For many veterans, the Centauri culture embodies a comparable sense of camaraderie and values instilled in the armed forces,” said Nishimoto. “We do work that matters on cutting-edge technologies critical to our nation.”
Centauri’s flexible work environment allows employees to be in charge of their hours, allowing them to accomplish their work on their own schedule so they do not have to sacrifice important appointments, school events or family needs. As for benefits, the company offers a high-match 401k and a selection of generous healthcare packages including medical, prescription drug, dental and vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and survival support. Employee charitable contributions are matched, and stipends for continuing education are provided.
“Everyone in Kihei, and even those reporting into Hawaii from the continental US, genuinely enjoy working with us,” said Nishimoto. “Ultimately, our workplace culture of excellence defines our success and makes Centauri a Best Place to Work in Hawaii.”
At Centauri, we have been recognized by major nationwide and local awards programs. Presently, we are welcoming 2020 Summer Interns to our first-ever virtual program.
Daron Nishimoto, Centauri Director of Advanced Technologies
Jul 29, 2020 | Community
Hawaiian Paddle Sports
Kama’aina First, an exciting program supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED), brings our local community together, to kokua one another, during these unprecedented times of COVID-19. This is an opportunity for Maui County businesses to share their kama’aina deals at no cost; for locals to take advantage of great discounts on staycations, meals, services, products; and, best of all, to show aloha for our islands’ businesses and ‘ohana.
“The Kama’aina First program is kick-starting our island economy by supporting employment and circulating dollars right here at home.,” said Maui Mayor Michael Victorino. “By providing a platform for local businesses to offer discounts and great deals to our local residents we help our friends, neighbors and community.”
OED Director JoAnn Inamasu said, “The support of the Kama’aina First program has been incredible. Since its launch on June 1st, we have nearly 500 local businesses participating in the program, with special offers and vendor applications still being submitted. We are looking for a great deal and our community has risen to the challenge of supporting our local businesses in this time when they need our help to remain in business. It is all about ‘Locals supporting locals’!”
Residents are being encouraged to stay on island and continue to support local businesses. The program is open to all County of Maui companies and residents. There is no cost to participate in the program, and the County of Maui shares offers with the residents via the website and Kama’aina First Facebook and Instagram pages.
Mayor Victorino summed it up by saying, “This allows our residents to enjoy our islands first, as we fully adjust to the new normal. Life has changed drastically for our kama’aina and we look forward to businesses offering them the chance to enjoy unique deals and experiences. Because updates are made daily, we encourage folks to visit these online resources often. We extend a big mahalo to all our locals who continue to help each other during these challenging times. I urge everyone to regularly check the www.KamaainaFirst.com website for new deals.”
With the moratorium lifted on interisland travel, both the KamaainaFirst.com website and Facebook group offer the perfect opportunity to try a variety of experiences, products, and services on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
Michael Victorino, Maui County Mayor
Jul 1, 2020 | Community
A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), a shared outreach ministry of the Episcopal Churches of Maui and Friends, is looking to restart operations and begin with weekly mission runs on Wednesdays in the Central Maui area. ACCW’s roving care van will serve the areas of Central Maui where the larger homeless populations are gathered, including portions of old Wailuku Town, Beach Road, Kanaha, Kahului Industrial, and areas around and near the Kahului Salvation Army.
“Our mission continues to offer water, nutrition, hygiene, masks, and comfort to Maui’s neediest citizens, along with offering spiritual food, hope and referrals for those who desire it,” said Deb Lynch, ACCW President. “The South and West Maui mission runs are currently still on hold until further notice. ACCW has also supplied other on-going outreach programs, such as Maui Mental Health Kokua, Hale Kaukau, and the Salvation Army, with perishable food items, hygiene and first aid.”
ACCW began their direct services mission in 2013 as a no-salary, all-volunteer mission that does not accept any government grants or funding. It has its own independent supply chain of water, non-perishable food, hygiene, clothing, first aid and other needs. In 2019, they made almost 10,000 homeless service contacts through their weekly mission runs to Central, South, and West Maui.
“Thanks to our core of volunteers from within the community, and our wide range of supporters, the program has grown into a very loved outreach ministry for the island,” Lynch said. “Van drivers and riders, storage and distribution room organizers, administrators, donors, and other volunteers, are a shining example of how dedicated people bring compassion into the public arena to serve those in need. During this time of great need, we encourage everyone to vigorously support local frontline charities with monetary or food donations. For example, support is always needed at the Maui Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Feed My Sheep, Family Life Center, Hale Kaukau of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ka Ohana Kitchen of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Maui Rescue Mission, Ka Hale A Ke Ola, and food pantries. Every outreach ministry of our greater community could use help.”
COVID-19 has greatly increased the need for supplies for the homeless. We especially thank the community for their continued support and donations. Stay safe and healthy.
Deb Lynch, President, ACCW
