Nov 14, 2012 | Environment, Sustainability
Members of the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance visited Monsanto Co.’s Maui operations recently, getting a close-up look at the company’s high-tech operations to grow seed corn to make a dent in world hunger. Both Racieli Andrada, 16, a junior at Maui High School, and Kaile Stockham, 15, a sophomore at Lahainaluna High School, had heard the negative publicity about Monsanto, such as its work with genetically engineered food. While Andrada came away from the experience impressed, Stockham remained skeptical, but said she was open-minded.
“I learned that Monsanto uses a lot of advanced technology to help keep track of the seeds and to help them grow to their full potential,” Andrada said. She said Monsanto changes the genes within corn seeds “to allow the crop to grow to its full potential without being harmed or disturbed by the environment,” such as pests. Stockham said she “really enjoyed going in the greenhouse, where we got to watch things in action.” “I was baffled by the fact that they are able to electronically track every seed that ever enters their state-of-the-art facilities,” she said. Stockham also said she was intrigued to learn that Monsanto’s technicians shave off a piece of each seed to send to a lab on the Mainland “where they run it through a DNA machine that determines whether or not the seed has the qualities they are looking for.”
Youth Alliance members attend monthly events during the school year to explore and gain a greater understanding of key components in the Maui community. Their gatherings are coordinated by the Maui Economic Development Board, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012. Stockham said she believes that all citizens have a “duty to be well-informed” on all current topics and the tour at Monsanto was an experience toward fulfilling her duty. “I believe the only way for us to make the best decisions for Maui’s future is if everyone on Maui is actively informed and participating in local decisions.”
Sep 12, 2012 | Education, Environment
Hundreds of scientists, astronomers, engineers and a new generation of space leaders are gathering on Maui this week for the 13th Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference. Mike Maberry is among six representatives from the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy who will be attending the 2012 event at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. “The AMOS Conference is the only annual world class space related technical conference held here in Hawai‘i,” said Maberry, assistant director for UH’s Institute for Astronomy. “It provides a great opportunity to network, to exchange ideas, and to get updates on advances in areas of technical interest.”
A program of the Maui Economic Development Board, the AMOS Conference is billed as the premier technical conference in the nation devoted to space surveillance. The mission of MEDB, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, involves taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry and diversifying new opportunities. Maberry said the IfA has been participating in the conference since its inception. He said he attends to represent the IfA for networking opportunities “that may lead to collaborations for dual use technology development.” Scientists from the IfA have written several technical papers ‒ this year being no exception ‒ to share with others attending the conference.
The University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy is the steward of two of the best astronomical and space surveillance observatory sites in the world, Haleakalā on Maui and Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Maberry said the AMOS conference helps keep him updated on the latest in space surveillance. This year’s keynote address will be given by General William L. Shelton of the Air Force Space Command, U.S. Air Force. Also, the conference will host up to 300 Maui middle school students for a session with Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and Space Foundation Special Advisor – Human Spaceflight. For more information, visit www.amostech.com.
Aug 1, 2012 | Environment
Husband and wife ‘Iliahi and Haunani Paredes said they demand hard work, dedication and sacrifice as kumu hula of the award-winning Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi. The couple formed the hālau in October 2004 with the mission to preserve and perpetuate the “beautiful art form of hula.” Haunani Paredes adds: “The hula touches all aspects of the Hawai‘i culture, and through the hula, we promote other facets of our complex culture like the language, chant, history and crafts.” The hālau has 200 members who range in age from three to 70 and older.
In its seven years, the hālau has performed on Maui, on O‘ahu, on the East Coast and at international venues. Dancers have competed and won numerous awards at prestigious events including its first hula competition in 2005 at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel’s Hula O Nā Keiki Competition on Maui and the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island. ‘Iliahi Paredes said he and his wife stress that “the greatest victory is for us to see our students blossom before our eyes. To know that hula has made our students better people in the community makes the hard work and sacrifice worth it.” Besides competitions and festivals, the hālau has entertained at local nonprofit fundraisers, the Maui Ag Festival and the Hawaiian Civic Club’s Holokū Ball.
The Paredes say hula touches people’s soul and hālau participation is not limited to race, age or gender. The couple also readily admits that it isn’t easy to be a member of their hālau. “Only the strong survive,” ‘Iliahi said, adding that hula takes a back seat to a performer’s education. Students failing in school are not allowed to participate in hula classes or events. “Our hope is that hula can coexist harmoniously with family, work, and school,” Haunani said. “We tell parents that we support positive educational decisions for their children, and if we can assist in any way, we will help,” ‘Iliahi adds.
Jul 25, 2012 | Environment
It takes hard work, determination and perseverance to make L&R Farms the successful business it is today on Moloka‘i, according to founder Lynn Decoite. She and her husband, Russell, established the farm in 2001 along with their children, producing three varieties of sweet potato — Moloka‘i Purple, Moloka‘i Gold and the more universally common orange. While the purple potato variety has been a traditional part of Hawaiian luaus, it is now being served at commercial luaus on the other islands and on island style plates at many restaurants in Hawaii. The Decoites’ dream is to one day export their product throughout the United States.
For now, L&R Farms stocks up restaurants and other establishments with the Moloka‘i sweet potato that was initially developed by Lynn’s grandmother, Becky Mokuau. She started raising tubers in the early 1960s on the family homestead and passed the “secrets” to her son, George Mokuau. George’s daughter, Lynn Decoite now gets help from her husband and their children with growing the sweet potatoes in Ho’olehua in rural Moloka‘i. “We have seven employees and we all strive to make our product the best we can,” Lynn Decoite said.
Ten years ago, L&R Farms introduced their renowned Moloka‘i Sweet Potato Chips as a snack for residents and visitors to enjoy and share with family and friends. The farms’ website states that the product is prepared like regular potato chips but with select sweet potatoes grown on Moloka‘i. They describe it as having a “crisp taste of Moloka‘i found nowhere else.” Every day, Decoite said, the farm tries to keep up a tradition of satisfying customers. “We believe that people enjoy our product and we are happy to supply them with it.” She said running a farm has its challenges. “We see ourselves as a small contributor to the economy, but know that the daily struggles to keep a farming operation in business are tough in this economy.”
Jul 18, 2012 | Community, Environment
As a young girl growing up on Maui, Laura Souza Paresa remembers her grandma reciting the rosary in Portuguese. “I asked her to teach me but she said, ‘You’re American, you speak English.’” Now as an adult, Paresa and 14 other active members of the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club learn everything they can about their language, their culture, and the history of Portugal. “The more I researched the history, the more I was amazed,” said Paresa, a four-year Portuguese Club president. “I feel honored to be a descendant of these people.”
The Maui Portuguese Cultural Club spent this year baking loaves of white bread and cinnamon bread and making pots of Portuguese bean soup as part of two separate fundraisers that garnered some $7,000. Club members invested the money in sprucing up the Portuguese model home and surroundings at Kepaniwai Park, where Maui’s multi-cultural history is showcased. In the Portuguese model home, a colorful exhibit traces the country’s history and outlines pictures of Portuguese exports such as copper, crystal and linen, and practices such as festivals honoring Catholic saints. “Most of our traditions are centered on the church,” Paresa said.
Paresa said about 10 percent of Hawaii’s population has Portuguese ancestry, yet not many are exposed to the rich history of the culture. She said the club awards college scholarships and it does what it can to educate others about the culture and history of the people. Portuguese Cultural Club members have trekked to Portugal and enjoyed hearing stories about a Portuguese family’s daily life. “They were hardworking individuals,” Paresa said. “In these stories, we’ve found they had a very rich culture and they also had a lot of faith.” The Maui Portuguese Cultural Club plans to be more visible at events in the community and accepts new members any time. “You don’t even have to be Portuguese to join the club. If you’re interested in the Portuguese culture, we welcome you,” Paresa said.
Apr 4, 2012 | Environment
Eighteen-year-old Chelsea Aviles has a better appreciation for playgrounds having just poured out her heart in a Community Work Day project in Haiku. Aviles, a Lahainaluna High School senior, and 14 other members of the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance recently refurbished the Kalakupua Playground in Haiku. Three hours on a recent Saturday was spent pulling weeds, repairing the playground equipment and its tarped ground covering. “It was a lot more hard work than I expected but it was all worth it,” Aviles said. She said the project gave her a chance to reminisce about her own “small kid time” while enjoying the opportunity to refurbish the playground for the next generation.
Community Work Day Program Director Maile Carpio said she was impressed by the hard work of the high school teenagers. “You can see these kids totally understand what it’s like to give back to the community,” Carpio said. “I thought it was fantastic.” Community Work Day on Maui has long been known for its debris cleanups on highways, on shorelines and in the ocean. But the county program also takes on projects such as community gardens, homeless campgrounds, graffiti removal and the Kalakupua Playground built by a group of parents by Giggle Hill in Haiku. “The big words these days are “green” and “recycle”. Peoples’ eyes are opened to this and I saw that in the young people involved in the playground project,” she said.
Aviles said that her first year in the Youth Alliance has provided her with experiences to give back to the community she grew up in. “This keeps me active with the community and makes me want to give more and care more about the environment I live in,” she said. Aviles dreams of a future career in business and a life that will involve community service projects throughout the island. Led by the Maui Economic Development Board, the Youth Alliance members gather monthly to explore the many facets of the community and conduct a variety of community service projects.
Feb 15, 2012 | Environment
Maui filmmakers Joe Imhoff and Sara Tekula set out to plant native trees in every state, and now they want to document the project. The husband-and-wife team founded the nonprofit “Plant a Wish” and embarked on a tour of all 50 states on Memorial Day 2010, planting native trees in each state and culminating Nov. 5, 2011, in Hawaii. A caretaker for each tree in each state was identified, and overall Imhoff and Tekula put in more than 1,000 native trees at dozens of community planting events across the country.
From Washington to Wyoming, Texas to Tennessee, the duo learned all things native and shared with others the story of Maui’s battle with alien species and loss of indigenous plants and animals. They also explained efforts to repair and restore the effects of trees on human health and the community’s overall environment. “Along the tour, it all began to make so much sense that every living thing has a purpose and those purposes are all connected. That was really meaningful for me,” Tekula said. Imhoff added: “I learned that the power of belief is very effective when doing good things for the world.” Their project was funded by donors who contributed varying amounts from $1 to $2,500. So far, they’ve raised approximately $20,000 for the project.
“What surprised me the most was how many doors of opportunity opened up for us as our mission evolved,” Imhoff said. He and Tekula got access to expert conservationists, educators and authors interested in tree planting and preservation and how they contribute to a healthy environment. “The biggest surprise I think I experienced was the unfortunate amount of sheer devastation we saw happening at the hands of our fellow human beings,” Tekula said. In some places, Tekula said they saw environmental devastation to mountaintops and toxic waste dumps. They found communities where people didn’t know which plants were native to their area. At the end, the couple collected reams of video and photos that recorded the story of their journey. They would like to share the information in a documentary and need public support to do just that. Go to: http://www.plantawish.org/donate.
Photo by Sean Michael Hower
Feb 1, 2012 | Community, Environment
The Maui Humane Society’s mission to forge lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach and the prevention of cruelty, resonated recently with members of the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance. Lahainaluna High School freshman Kaile Stockham was so impressed on a recent visit that she plans to enroll as an adult volunteer at the animal shelter when she turns 18. “I think it’s incredible the work that the Maui Humane Society does. They’re doing a good job to care for the animals.” With Kaile’s urging, the Youth Alliance toured the Maui Humane Society in January to learn about its mission and work for animals. “I learned a lot that I didn’t know about animals and how they’re treated,” Kaile said.
For their part, members of the Youth Alliance learned they could join the Junior Animal Advocate Group of Maui, a program of volunteers in grades 6 to 12 at the Maui Humane Society. They also got details on the Humane Society’s open admissions policy and commitment to finding homes for stray and abandoned animals. “They always want to get as many adoptions as possible,” Kaile said.
A four-year Youth Alliance member, Kelsie Chong, visited the Maui Humane Society with a new appreciation. “I thought it was a really fun place and very educational,” Kelsie said. Her family adopted a mixed breed dog about eight years ago from Maui Humane Society. The dog is part of a host of animals in the Chong residence. Kelsie also has four cats, a fish and 10 canaries. “I love them all. They’re innocent, they’re cute. They just make me happy.” Both Kaile and Kelsie said they were glad to see that the Maui Humane Society strives to seek all options for animals including shipping them off to less crowded shelters on Oahu. “I think it’s pretty sad the animals don’t have a home to go to, but the Maui Humane Society is doing its best to change that.”
Jan 18, 2012 | Community, Environment
A community service project on Kaho‘olawe turned into a renewed appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and the value of giving back. That’s what Kevin Gavagan of the Four Seasons Wailea said happened to some 35 hotel employees and their families when they volunteered to plant trees on Kaho‘olawe. “We went to give and we got so much back, Kaho‘olawe enriched us,” said Gavagan, a Native Hawaiian employed as the assistant director of engineering at the Four Seasons. Gavagan spearheaded the volunteer effort, leading two separate trips to Kaho‘olawe toward the end of last year. Employees gave up their vacation time for a four-day journey that featured two full days of tree planting, an island tour and lessons on Hawaiian history. Their employer, the Four Seasons, picked up the access fees to the island, priced at $125 per person. In honor of the hotel chain’s 50th anniversary, Four Seasons set a goal to plant 10 million trees around the world. The Four Seasons at Wailea kicked off their contribution to the goal by planting some 250 trees on the hotel property on Earth Day in April of last year. Gavagan followed that up by coordinating the tree-planting project on Kaho‘olawe.
There is archaeological evidence that Kaho‘olawe, the smallest of four islands in Maui County, was occupied by Native Hawaiians since 1000 A.D. It was taken over by the U.S. military after the outbreak of World War II and used as a bombing range for more than 40 years. After a $400 million cleanup of unexploded ordinance of the island, it was returned to the state of Hawaii in 2003. Now, the island is overseen by the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission. There are plans to do more tree planting in 2012. Gavagan said his views of Kaho‘olawe have changed his visits. “You get a completely different appreciation for the island when you step foot on it,” he said. “It really was a transformation for me and got me closer to Hawaiian traditions. Everybody wants to know when they can go back,” Gavagan said.
