Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) recent Ke Alahele Education Benefit event welcomed over 300 guests and successfully raised funds for local STEM education programs. During the event, the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation (DKII) Award student winners were recognized for community service-focused science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) projects. Tiare Martin, executive director of the Vanguard Maui High Performance Computing Center and MEDB’s board chair, Curtis Tom, senior vice president and commercial banking officer of the Bank of Hawaiʻi and MEDB’s board vice chair and chair of the education committee, and Leslie Wilkins, MEDB’s president and CEO, presented the award.
Winners were Baldwin High School seniors Aileen Kim and Jeremiah Jacinto for their project, “Kūlia Scholarships Connect.” Recognizing the difficulties that local students and their families face in finding college scholarships, they created an AI chatbot that simplifies and personalizes the search process. “Our team is driven by a shared passion for equity in education and aims to remove barriers to financial aid through technology that empowers every student to reach their full potential,” they explained.
A Maui High School team of Toby Naumov, Sarah Fehnestock, Ciana Cooper, Sophie Kato, and Joshua Mori also received a prize for their “Stop the Bleed Tourniquet Simulator” project. The team used their computer science and mechanical engineering skills to create an artificial human arm that can help students learn the critical first-aid skills needed to control severe bleeding. They successfully created a prototype for only $200, showing that it is possible to create low-cost versions of essential medical teaching tools.
Dominick Philippe Guiwa of Maui High School was honored for his research project, “From Tragedy to Innovation: Lahaina Fire Recovery Through Native Hawaiian Fire Retardant Solutions.” Combining his interest in chemistry with a desire to serve the Lahaina community, he tested plant samples to demonstrate a correlation between pH levels and fire resistance, showing that native plants are often more fire resistant than invasives.
All the winners will receive monetary prizes to honor their hard work. Funds raised during the event will also support the Ke Alahele Education Fund grant program. More information can be found online at https://www.medbpathways.org/.
It is deeply meaningful to us that our work in some way reflects Senator Inouye’s vision of Maui as an innovation center where the latest scientific and technological advances can take root and flourish.
Aileen Kim and Jeremiah Jacinto, 2025 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award Winners
Maui resident Mark Beltzman, a world traveler thanks to his stage, movie, and television career, has been acting, writing, and directing since 1981. He brings a unique blend of talent and passion to every performance and has captivated audiences with compelling character portrayals and dynamic storytelling on both stage and screen. In 2014, he co-founded Maui Improv (short for “improvisation”), a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for improv education and performances on Maui.
Improv, a powerful tool that requires mastering skills like listening, communication, and storytelling, helps people build confidence and collaboration. At its core, improv allows for spontaneity and moments of genuine interaction. Beltzman shared, “My philosophy is to figure out what’s working and do more of it, instead of what’s wrong; and to know the difference.”
In his improv workshops, Beltzman incorporates lessons of transformation related to his years of involvement with the Kihei men’s group, ManKind Project Hawaiʻi (MKP). “The MKP group offers spaces where men are free to speak openly and honestly about their lives, accepting responsibility, purpose, and intention,” Beltzman explained. “We recognize connections to nature and humanity as we take accountability for our actions.”
Beltzman says MKP lessons and improv work together. “Life happens outside our comfort zone. I call improv the ‘art of allowing’ because it is for anyone who desires to cultivate the ability to flawlessly and spontaneously create magic on stage, and in life. Ultimately, we can strip away the layers we put up to protect ourselves and can simply be our most authentic self!”
Beltzman is also a musician and is currently the solo tubist for the Maui Pops Orchestra (MPO) and also plays with the Maui Community Band (MCB). MCB has offered four free concerts on Maui so far in 2025, and MPO recently wrapped up its summer season with a classical chamber music concert.
For more information about Maui Improv, visit www.mauiimprov.org. Readers can also follow @mauicommunityband and @mauipopsorchestra on social media for updates regarding the local fall 2025 concert season.
Improv encourages individuals to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems.
Mark Beltzman, Actor, Director, and Musician Maui Improv
Recently, Aurum, the culinary brand known for its seasonal, chef-driven cuisine, debuted its first Hawaiʻi location at The Shops at Wailea. Helmed by its local partners, Chef Taylor Ponte and General Manager Natasha Ponte, the restaurant showcases fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from Maui’s leading farms and fisheries.
Born and raised on Maui, the Pontes’ community impact is felt well beyond the kitchen. With deep connections in the local culinary scene, they can be found teaching high-school cooking demos, mentoring students, and volunteering with local nonprofits like Chef Hui and Fresh Help Maui.
At Aurum Maui, Taylor draws on his Maui Culinary Academy training to create dishes that are both refined and island-style. Natasha’s background in both culinary arts and event design informs every detail of the dining experience, blending sustainable sourcing with genuine hospitality. “It’s incredibly meaningful to Natasha and me to bring a local lens to the Aurum experience,” said Taylor. “Every dish reflects our roots, our growth, and the richness of Maui.”
Taylor shared, “Natasha and I met while working at the Mill House at the Maui Tropical Plantation. I was the executive chef and she was the sales and events manager. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were both laid off.” Natasha added, “That was the year that Taylor was named Chef of the Year in the ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards.”
About a month after their layoffs, the couple launched Kamado, a private chef and catering business that quickly took off. However, they always envisioned getting back into the restaurant industry. Together, they hope to create something rare: a restaurant that’s not only destination-worthy, but deeply local.
Taylor noted, “Our menus, celebrating local farms, fisheries, and sustainable products, reflect the community that makes hospitality in Hawaiʻi unique. We pursue excellence in every aspect, from food and service to creating a warm, welcoming experience that embodies the essence of aloha.” Natasha concluded, “Our largest goal is to make a delicious meal for every customer, in a beautiful space, with great service.”
We are both very community-based. For us, it’s exciting to bring jobs to people who were born and raised here and to share our blessings with our customers.
Taylor and Natasha Ponte, Chef and General Manager, Aurum Maui
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) recent Maui TechOhana meeting featured marketing expert and Baldwin High School alumna Jennifer Apy, who shared powerful lessons on digital marketing strategies using artificial intelligence (AI). Apy gave an instructive presentation, “Stories from the Marketing Battlefield: Wins and How We Earned Our Stripes,” to over 50 Maui entrepreneurs and small business owners.
As a seasoned marketer for Fortune 500 brands, an Area Managing Partner for Chief Outsiders, and a certified speaker for Vistage, the world’s largest CEO coaching organization, Apy travels the country to support companies who are ready to accelerate growth. Taking advantage of her academic training in computer science, she also has experience co-founding a software company and is currently invested in a broad portfolio of startups.
Apy explained, “My passion is for helping companies succeed and grow with go-to-market approaches,” she explained. “Strategy, creativity, and resourcefulness lead to big wins. To attain top-line business results, it is key to know your customer and to reflect on your company’s ability to achieve competitive progress through blended insight, approach, and execution.”
Ululani Shave Ice CEO David Yamashiro noted, “It’s important that all small business owners understand what AI is about and how to use it efficiently. No matter how successful a business is, owners need to stay updated on real-world tools to accelerate growth. Apy explained this well.”
Kelli Myers from Real Broker added, “My passion lies in helping sellers navigate the market with confidence and ease. Learning new tools to use to communicate with my clientele is priceless. MEDB offers great workshops to help Maui’s small business and entrepreneur community.”
Ron Viloria from iamakam.ai also shared, “As a small business owner, I wanted to explore how AI is revolutionizing business functions like marketing, sales, customer service, and operations to drive growth. MEDB continues to bring this kind of valuable technical assistance into our community.”
MEDB’s Maui TechOhana provides informal networking opportunities open to anyone interested in tech-driven business strategies. Learn more at www.mauitechohana.com.
Choosing the right digital channels, such as innovative applications of generative AI, can help deliver long-term profits.
Jennifer Apy, Area Managing Partner, and CMO Chief Outsiders
As part of the upcoming Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner and Auction, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is seeking applications from local students for the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. This award honors student projects that demonstrate the most innovative uses of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in service of the community.
To support award recipients as they continue to learn and grow as STEM innovators, the winning individual or team will receive $5,000. Maui County public school students in grades 6-12 (as well as 2025 high school graduates) are eligible to apply. Interested students should submit their projects online prior to 11:59 pm on Monday, August 11 to be considered for the award. The winner will be announced at the Ke Alahele event on August 23, and all award finalists will be invited to attend the dinner as special guests. The submission form and more details about the award are available online at medbpathways.org/2025dkii.
MEDB also continues to accept table reservations, auction donations, and sponsors for the Ke Alahele event. This annual fundraiser provides an unforgettable evening and also raises critical funds for STEM education programs and teachers throughout Maui County. These programs, serving students from kindergarten to college and beyond, help build stronger career pathways for Maui Nui residents. By attending the dinner, community members are helping to shape a brighter future for Maui Nui’s youth.
Guests attending the fundraiser can also enjoy an exclusive room rate and a complimentary shuttle service from central Maui to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kā‘anapali where the event will take place. For more information and to book seats at the Ke Alahele fundraising dinner on August 23, visit www.medbpathways.org.
The Makawao Stampede is taking place once again this year, with three days of rodeo and live music events at the Oskie Rice Event Center from July 4-6. With its history dating back to the 1950’s, the small-town rodeo has preserved the cultural significance of horsemanship and the paniolo (cowboy) lifestyle in Hawaiʻi.
A main rodeo attraction, barrel racing isa competition that shows true teamwork between rider and horse. The rider must be able to guide the horse effectively, while the horse must be responsive, athletic, and mentally prepared to navigate the cloverleaf pattern at speed.
Rachel Cockett, the 2024 Makawao Stampede Women’s Barrel Racing Champion, said, “Women often gravitate towards barrel racing due to the sport’s unique blend of speed, precision, and the strong partnership between horse and rider. Barrel racing is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that demands quick thinking and precise execution, providing a thrilling, challenging, rewarding, and competitive outlet for riders.”
Cockett grew up on Maui and started riding horses when she was three years old. In 2021, she opened Barra Ranch in Kula, where she trains horses and riders in the skills she has learned. Cockett noted, “My vision is to create a place that I wish I had in my childhood, to give every ounce of knowledge to the kids to help them succeed, and also to become a better athlete myself.”
Moorea Feliciano, the 2024 Makawao Stampede Rodeo Junior Barrel Racing Champion, added, “The Stampede offers a chance to see the skills of the local paniolo. I also love that we get a chance to show people how amazing and fun rodeo can be!”
Feliciano, now 13 years old, started riding at the age of seven and began barrel racing at the age of nine. She says her greatest rodeo memory is winning the 2024 Junior Barrel Racing Championship and doing the victory lap on her horse, Buddy. “Every barrel racer dreams of that experience. My motto is to always have fun and keep my horses’ safety first.”
It’s important to have patience with this sport, put in your time and effort, and take advice from everybody who wants to help you. See you at the rodeo!
Moorea Feliciano, Junior Barrel Racing Champion, 2024 Makawao Stampede
Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) is hosting its annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner and Auction, themed “Pathways to Our Future,” on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali. The evening will begin with a reception and silent auction at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items in the popular Apples for Education Auction, compete in teams during MEDB’s signature interactive game, and hear inspiring stories highlighting the remarkable accomplishments of students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“Our community’s future depends on equipping the next generation with the skills to thrive,” said Leslie Wilkins, president and CEO of MEDB. “Through STEM education, we’re empowering our youth to become problem solvers, innovators, and leaders who will shape a resilient and prosperous future for our islands.”
Proceeds from the event will directly support MEDB’s comprehensive STEM programs, which provide Maui Nui students with educational opportunities from kindergarten to career. These programs play a crucial role in shaping the students’ futures and fostering a thriving, resilient Maui.
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali is offering a special room rate of $349-379 from August 22-24 for guests attending this year’s fundraising dinner. A complimentary shuttle service will also be available for guests traveling between Central Maui and the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort. To reserve dinner seats, become an event sponsor, or donate an item or gift card for the Apples for Education Auction, visit www.medbpathways.org, contact MEDB at 808-875-2300, or email pathways@medb.org.
Maui County public school students in grades 6-12 (including those who graduated this spring) are also invited to submit STEM community service projects completed during the 2024-25 school year for the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. The award finalists will be invited to attend the Ke Alahele Fund Dinner. The winning individual or team will receive $5,000 to support their school’s STEM programming. For more information, visit www.medbpathways.org/2025dkii.
In a recent Maui TechOhana meeting, organized by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the County of Maui, Maui native Nick Ponte, founder of Myna Marketing, presented “How to Get Your Business Found on Google.” Ponte, an expert in digital advertising and marketing for local businesses, discussed practical, easy-to-implement strategies with the 43 in-person and 27 online attendees.
In his power-packed session, Ponte, recognized by Pacific Business News as running Hawai’i’s second fastest-growing business in 2024, broke down simple, effective approaches to help attendees rank higher on Google search results and attract more customers. He explained that if a business isn’t showing up on Google‘s first page, it’s losing potential customers to competitors.
“At Myna Marketing, we provide exceptional digital marketing services,” Ponte said. “We have helped over 500 local businesses grow their online presence and grow their revenue. It’s important to know whether SEO (search engine optimization) or Google Ads is the right fit for a business and how to optimize a website for local search and customer engagement. Simply put, it’s important to discover what is the right fit for each business to be relevant.”
Ponte explained the fast-paced demands of competitive markets. Using some of his local clients as examples, he showed the biggest SEO mistakes business owners make and how to fix them, even for business owners who are not tech experts. In addition, he shared steps needed to boost online presence, such as how to optimize a website for local search, how to backlink, the importance of reviews, and customer engagement with Google My Business.
“The internet has become the go-to method for individuals to get their information,” he noted. “Every day more users are utilizing search engines like Google, which is why more online presence is needed to succeed. Clientele need to locate your business quickly and easily.”
Attendee Tara Lee from Tara Lee Photography shared, “I’m presently doing a complete rebrand of my business, so it was great to learn about SEO, Google Ads, and much more. It was a great learning experience.”
Sherri McCollum from Maui Mermade Jewelry added, “I’ve been stuck with my website and Google placement. Nick explained everything in simple terms and now I understand what to do. If I need more help I’m going to hire him. Thanks, MEDB, for such an informative talk.”
For information about future Maui TechOhana events, which are free and open to the public, visit https://www.medb.org/techohana/ to sign up for the Maui TechOhana mailing list.
I have a passion for helping businesses thrive in the digital world and succeed in competitive markets.
Nick Ponte, Owner, Myna Marketing
Founded in 2019 in Wailuku, Jamie Anderson’s Friends & Faire (F&F) is an in-studio space where people can gather to create, learn, and share their craft. In 2023, F&F also began focusing on mobile workshops, bringing creative experiences to private parties, team building events, and pop-up locations. Now, F&F is settling into their new home on Market Street in Wailuku, where they’ll continue to cultivate a community of creativity.
“Creativity, entrepreneurship, and teaching run in my family on both sides,” Anderson explained. “Together, my mom and dad, Arsie and Bruce, have made F&F possible by fueling my own creativity. I started making gifts, clothing, and jewelry at a young age with my artsy mom and helped her sell at numerous craft fairs. That led to eventually selling my own creations. Occasionally, mom teaches a workshop or two and is the best helper for big workshops. My retired school-principal dad has his hand on every wood piece that is used for workshops, from sourcing the wood to cutting and sanding every piece.”
As a part-time middle school art teacher, Anderson has gained much experience as an instructor with community connections. She loves crafting and making memories with everyone who signs up for a workshop. “I love creating something cool with my clients,” she noted. “F&F presents classes for adults and keiki, which include ceramics, wood burning, stenciled wood signs, block print, mixed media, lei-making, and numerous other craft-related items. We love hosting birthday parties, girls’ night out, bridal/baby showers, bachelorette parties, staff holiday parties, or team-building activities with community members. We can create a craft experience that caters to any group, no matter the size.”
Anderson’s vision is to have a community of crafters and artists in her new space, both making and selling crafts. “We can plan something in our Wailuku space or a location of choice,” she added. “Let’s plan a creative gathering! F&F is the right place for those who like to make all kinds of things.” Upcoming workshops include a Keiki Craft Camp on May 26 and Upcycle Crafts workshops every Saturday from 10am-12pm.
Workshops are led by talented Maui artists, crafters, and teachers. Whether in our new space or a private home, workplace, or event venue, we welcome all fellow makers!
Jamie Anderson, Founder and Owner, Friends & Faire
