As part of the upcoming Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner and Auction, the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is inviting local students to apply for the 2026 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award. Established to honor the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s vision of Maui Nui as a center for innovation and technology, the award recognizes outstanding student projects that demonstrate creative and impactful applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve and strengthen the community. Projects may be completed through school coursework, clubs, internships, STEM programs, or independent study.
Applications are open to Maui County public school students in grades 6-12, as well as students who graduated from high school in 2026. Individual students and teams of up to five members may submit projects completed during the 2025-26 school year or Summer 2026. Applications must be submitted through MEDB’s online application portal by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026.
As part of the application process, students will describe their project’s objectives, development process, STEM skills and tools utilized, project outcomes, and community impact. Applicants will also be asked to explain how their project addresses a community concern or provides a meaningful service to others. At least one photo of the completed project is required, and students may also submit supporting materials such as presentations, research papers, videos, and lab reports to strengthen their application. A bibliography or work cited is required with submission if applicable.
The recipient of the 2026 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award will be announced during the Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner and Auction, where a cash prize will be presented. The award celebrates students who combine technical knowledge, creativity, and service learning to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges facing Maui Nui communities.
MEDB is also accepting table reservations, auction donations, and event sponsorships for the Ke Alahele fundraiser. Proceeds support STEM education initiatives that provide opportunities for students from kindergarten through college and careers, helping to build the skills, confidence, and pathways needed for Hawai‘i’s Future.
For more information about the 2026 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award and to access the online application, visit www.medbpathways.org.
To be acknowledged with an award that carries the name and legacy of the late Senator Inouye is an incredible privilege. It is deeply meaningful that our work, in some way, reflects his vision of Maui Nui as an innovation center where the Science and Tech of our students can take root and flourish.
Aileen Kim
Maui eighth-grader Moorea Feliciano from Makawao completed her junior rodeo career in June with a 9th place aggregateworld ranking for girls’ junior breakaway roping at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR). Feliciano was able to make the Top 10 in her event, leading to the world ranking, a buckle, a plague, and two award ceremonies. Previously, she had completed her junior rodeo career in Hawai‘i at the Maui Youth Rodeo Association (MYRO) with 23 buckles, scholar athlete awards, and the 2024 Makawao Stampede Junior Rodeo Barrel Racing Championship.
The massive week-long NJHFR event was hosted at the world-renowned Lazy E Arena near Guthrie, Oklahoma, where the competition drew over 12,000 top young athletes from 40 states and six countries including, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. It is the world’s largest junior-high rodeo. Competitors test their skills in multiple categories to win world and national titles and scholarships.
Team Hawai‘i consisted of the top four state-level juniors in numerous rodeo events. Morag Rice Miranda, co-manager of Kaonoulu Ranch and the Oskie Rice Event Center, where her son Daniel won the 2026 Makawao Stampede Po’oWai U championship and her daughter Elizabeth won the All-Around Cowgirl championship title at the recent Makawao Stampede, said, “Our Team Hawai‘i did an amazing job at Nationals. Our cowboys and cowgirls are tough paniolo for sure! It takes a lot to be so far away from home and compete at this level. Through the late nights into the early mornings of sheltering in the arena from hail, thunder, lightning, (there were two evening tornado watches) and getting very little sleep, each one of them made us so proud, always giving their all. We can’t wait to hear all the amazing stories about nationals. Moorea, great job! Lots of hard work and dedication paid off!”
“Wow, what an amazing experience!” said Feliciano. “I want to thank everyone at MYRO and the Hawai‘i High School Rodeo Association for helping to make dreams come true for myself and all the rodeo athletes in Hawai‘i. I’m very proud to have had a good performance at Nationals and to represent our state. Also, congratulations to everyone who came from Hawai‘i to compete, for cheering me on in the finals, and for waving the Hawai‘i state flag.”
I was truly so blessed to represent our state as part of Team Hawai‘i.
Moorea Feliciano, Maui Youth Rodeo Association
Founded in 1989, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui (FCJC), a private, non-profit corporation and non-partisan group of community and business leaders, have been steadfast in their concern for the social welfare of children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and severe neglect.
Presently, the Friends work with 40+ other agencies to support needs requests for children that are starting or in the process of healing. Some needs are as simple as basic hygiene and clothing, while others include the safe and nurturing facility where suspected victims of child sexual abuse and extreme physical abuse are brought.
Since the organization’s leadership transition announcement in March 2026, Danielle (Dani) Egeberg, the incoming FCJC Executive Director, is following in the footsteps of outgoing director, Paul Tonnessen. Like Tonnessen, Egeberg is committed to supporting the healing journey of every child who walks through the FCJC doors.
“I plan to lead the FCJC with my heart and passion for the next generation and to support the healing of the most vulnerable, while working on prevention to create a safer future for our keiki,” Egeberg said. “Having worked with Child Welfare Services for 11+ years, I have collaborated with many different agencies and service providers; connections and resources that will support the children and families. Plus, I believe we can create even more prevention movements. FCJC has a Board of Directors and subcommittees, one of which is dedicated to prevention and community awareness, working on education and training programs for the community that could make a long-lasting impact.”
She continued, “We strive to educate children and adults about child abuse by participating in community events and producing and distributing related materials. We have a webpage, www.mauicjc.org, that has a prevention page with Maui County contact resources. There is also a drop-down menu that has a few videos to watch along with trainings. Financial support is always welcome. FCJC runs on the generosity or our donors and grants. It takes a village to prevent abuse and neglect from ever happening, and to be here for our keiki if it does. Children need to be heard, and they need to know that someone sees them, hears them, and will support and fight for them.”
The biggest thing I think community members can do is Listen, Act, and Advocate, a theme that came from this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Danielle Egeberg, Executive Director for the FCJC
The 13th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference was held May 20, 21 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center bringing together nearly 400 energy leaders, policymakers, innovators, and community voices to examine this year’s theme: Energy: Power, People and Place.
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) has presented the conference since 2014 to explore the challenges and opportunities in Hawaii’s transition to renewable energy. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen opened the two-day conference that featured dynamic keynote addresses, engaging panels, and in-depth discussions. This year’s program actively explored pathways to resilience and sustainability using firm power, while incorporating the lessons learned from successful indigenous projects.
Mana Newton, Group CEO, Tauhara North No. 2 Trust, New Zealand delivered a powerful keynote sharing the journey and story of geothermal energy in their community. It was a story of inclusion; ownership; and of regeneration; balancing cultural stewardship with commercial viability to strengthen resilience.
“It’s really learning from an indigenous perspective how we can connect together. so that we can understand what this demand on energy is going to look like in the future,” said Newton. “I think the world is going to have a significant demand on energy going forward because of climatization, because of the developments of AI — and we’ve got to ask ourselves those questions of how we play in this development going forward?”
Newton also joined a panel on day 2 that directly addressed the theme of People, Power and Place and looked at models from Hawaii, Tribal Nations, and the Pacific. Moderated by Nāʻālehu Anthony, an activist, changemaker and storyteller; the panel explored how communities design and govern their own energy projects. Wayne Yazza, Jr., Director of Utilities (and former Governor) of Picuris Pueblo; Andrea (Andy) Blair, also of New Zealand; and Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, County of Maui Council joined the discussion.
Visitors from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Puerto Rico, and across the Continental U.S joined Hawaii-based attendees for networking with each other and with the exhibiting companies showcasing leading edge technologies in renewable energy.
As Hawaii and the global community evaluate resources, development, and energy usage, we acknowledge that the methods we employ to produce, distribute, and secure energy for future generations are essential components of the energy equation.
Jacqui Hoover, Conference Chair and Executive Director and COO Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB); and President Hawaii Leeward Planning.
A recently held Blue Startups Maui Founders Mixer and Pau Hana, presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), proved to be a great opportunity for the community to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside fellow entrepreneurs and innovators. Attendees met the builders shaping Maui’s startup scene and were able to network to help expand their businesses, pitch their own startups, and learn about Blue Startups in Hawai’i.
Blue Startups was founded in 2012 with the goal of diversifying Hawai’i’s economy by leveraging its unique strengths. It was designed to give startup companies every advantage: mentorship, access to business expertise, product testing, peer review, customer acquisition, pitch development, introductions to investors, and seed funding.
David Holt, Program Director at Blue Startups, explained, “Given that the development of a technology sector in Hawai’i is relatively new and growing, it is important to foster the community. We emphasize product development and global go-to-market strategies following a mentor-driven approach to acceleration. Focused on recruiting capital-efficient and scalable technology companies, we strive for 50% of our companies to be female founded and led”
Blue Startups welcomes ambitious, creative, and well-organized individuals to apply to join the next cohort. Held annually, the program is an opportunity to gain firsthand experience with the day-to-day workings of the startup/venture capital ecosystem. Selectees join a 12- week program: 3 weeks virtual, 8 weeks on-site at their Honolulu headquarters, and 1 week in San Francisco where there is access to a 400+ investor network.
“A Top 20 Accelerator in the U.S., we are very focused on helping scalable-technology companies compete globally,” Holt said. “We aim to stimulate economic growth in Hawai’i and create new business opportunities by providing the most promising entrepreneurs with the advice and connections they need the most.”
Maui entrepreneurs excitedly pitched their businesses during the event. John Dobovan, Founder & CEO of Maui Trout Company said, “Like so many other under-capitalized small businesses, we are still working to secure financial footing. Blue Startups offered great advice.
MEDB was pleased to host Blue Startups at its Malcolm Center, as part of it’s tour of the islands, providing this learning and networking opportunity for Maui small businesses.
Annette Lynch, Program Director, MEDB
Americans look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July this year and the country’s 250th birthday, Independence Day is synonymous with freedom. However, for enslaved African-Americans, freedom took much longer. Juneteenth, short for June 19th, was designated a national, Federal holiday in 2021 to commemorate the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African-Americans in Texas were freed. Hawaii was the 49th state that same year to officially recognize Juneteenth as a permanent day of reflection and observance. Also called Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is a landmark date for our nation and marks the culmination of a shameful era in American history and the beginning of Black Americans’ fight for true freedom. It memorializes the date when the Federal proclamation freeing all slaves finally reached Galveston, Texas, then a remote outpost of the Southern slave states. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation did not come until General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, on June 19, 1865, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The website of The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture poignantly summarizes the historic significance of Juneteenth, “opening it to symbolic and global interpretation and providing a better understanding of the evolution of our nation and its people.” Juneteenth celebrations here and nationwide recognize the ongoing fight for human rights and equality, resilience, and achievement in the context of history and community traditions.
Infrastructure of Stories, an event presented by Bad Friend Productions and supported by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), recently explored how to broaden Maui County’s role in cinema beyond merely hosting a traditional film industry. The name, ‘Infrastructure of Stories’, refers to a community-driven economic initiative to transition Maui from being a backdrop for the film industry into a self-sustaining, community-led film economy.
The meeting focused on how to keep economic benefits on the island, support local talent, and highlight the upcoming Wailuku Film Festival. The panelists featured leading Hawai’i creatives, filmmakers and business leaders including: the married writer and producer couple from Maui, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, famous for their recent film series Shogun; Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner; Matt Yamashita, Emmy-winning filmmaker from Molokai; Kawika Hoke, filmmaker and marketing analyst; and Stefan Schaefer, director.
“The mission is to empower local creators, integrate authentic mo’olelo (Hawai’ian storytelling), and build the resources needed to produce films and media,” said Kohne. “We aim to connect local storytellers with established film and media professionals. We want to keep our talent on Maui and bring back those that left home. I am one of a handful in our business who came home and I want that for our present and future generation. I thank Shogun producer Rachel Kondo and her family for moving back to Maui; however, they still have to travel to Los Angeles for work. Artists need to be able to feed themselves and their families.”
Event host, Ted Anderson, owner of Venture Physical Therapy and member of the Maui County Health Partnership, thanked MEDB for their support. “This is what we want,” he said. “Our entire community is needed to make the whole system work, including the county and state government. The Wailuku Film Festival is definitely a big step in the right direction.”
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, presented by the Maui Film Office and the County of Maui, June 17-21, at the Iao and Naylor Theaters, plus special films on June 21 at the MACC, features over 100 films, with over 50 Hawai’i filmmakers, screening in categories of Hawai’i, Indigenous Voices, Watersports, Animation, and Student productions. The festival is a gathering place where Hawaiian values, cultural knowledge and storytelling meet.
We need to develop all the different components needed to keep all of our talent on island. Home is where work is! Tickets are available at WailukuFilm.com and MauiArts.org., and the Film Festival Box Office at 45a North Market Street, Wailuku.
– Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner
The Sheraton Waikīkī’s conference venue was packed with middle and high school students, including many from Maui Nui, for the 17th annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference on April 15th and 16th. Organized by STEMworks™, a program of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the 2-day event is the program’s largest student career awareness and teacher professional development event of the year. The 2026 conference welcomed a total of 612 attendees from all across the state despite moving to a smaller venue due to the closure of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Many of the workshops were standing room only, showing the high demand for engaging, industry-led STEM education opportunities among both students and teachers.
One of the highlights of the conference this year was the interactive exhibit hall, referred to as the “playground.” Over 30 companies and organizations tabled in the playground, representing a wide range of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career pathways and educational opportunities, including healthcare, engineering, computer science, aviation, ocean science, and natural resource management.
Students and teachers benefitted from the expertise of over 60 STEM industry guest speakers who led 38 student sessions and 9 teacher workshops. Keynote addresses were also presented by Caitlin Sarian, a global cybersecurity expert known as @cybersecuritygirl online, and Maile Miyake, a graphic designer and entrepreneur from Kauaʻi.
In light of this year’s conference theme, “Navigating Change,” many guest speakers focused on helping students learn about artificial intelligence (AI) tools and how to use them effectively and responsibly. One student attendee commented, “I learned about how AI can be used for chatbots and to improve our time efficiency when it comes to repetitive actions.” Another student shared, “My favorite session was creating a custom AI. It was cool to be able to create an AI that I could make do anything.”
Over 40 industry professionals also joined the students for an hour of speed networking. Students were encouraged to ask the professionals about their careers, educational backgrounds, and paths to their current roles. One teacher observed, “The best part of the event is being able to take my students to experience avenues of career choices connected to STEM. It was great to see how much they took in from this conference.”
Students traveled from all islands to participate in the event, with 196 of the 366 student participants coming from Maui County, including Molokai and Lānaʻi. Among the 82 teachers at the conference, 50 were from Maui County. STEMworks is proud to offer financial support to neighbor island students and teachers for travel costs thanks to the program’s many donors, grant funders, and event sponsors.
Bringing together leaders, policymakers, cooperatives, and energy innovators, the 2026 Hawaii Energy Conference will discuss pathways to resilience and sustainability using firm (dispatchable source) power, while incorporating the lessons learned from successful indigenous projects.
From geothermal in Hawaii to energy projects on tribal lands and cooperative models across the U.S. and New Zealand, participants will share experiences and strategies for advancing energy solutions while maintaining harmony with local landscapes and traditions.
A deep dive session will explore the topic of Water & Energy in a more intimate setting for up to 40 people. A panel will discuss current and emerging options for seawater desalination, the status of desalination plans on Oahu and Maui, and the energy challenges that influence the feasibility and cost of these technologies.
Attendees at HEC2026 will engage in meaningful dialogue on how policy, technology, and cultural wisdom can shape a resilient and more affordable energy future across all generations.
