Hawaiian Canoe Club on Maui was proud to have so many of their paddlers, ages 14-80, representing Hawai‘i at the 2026 International Va’a Federation World Sprint Championship in Marina Bay, Singapore. Paddlers, keiki, and kūpuna traveled over 6,000 miles to compete on the international stage, where Hawai‘i placed second in the world after Tahiti. Competitors from all islands participated across multiple international divisions, securing strong finishes. This year, the event included nearly 600 races, from one-man to double-hull, junior to over 80, as well as para va’a events, designed for athletes with physical impairments.
Approximately 470 competitors from Hawai‘i were in Singapore for 10 days, more than from most countries. “Hawai‘i was well represented—racing, cheering, helping one another, making new friends, and sharing plenty aloha along the way,” said Lisa Cano, long-time Hawaiian Canoe Club member. “At home, we may paddle for different clubs. We race against each other, cheer for our own colors, and spend our summers battling it out on the same regatta course. The way the clubs have responded during World Sprints says a lot about our sport. Club colors and competition matter, yet people have still been willing to share what they know and help paddlers from other clubs. That is aloha and ‘ohana in practice, helping one another so we can all move the sport forward.”
Cano enjoyed Singapore. She explained, “There was so much energy and so many other cultures to learn about. Plus, it was a tremendous honor to represent Hawai‘i. A beautiful thing about representing our state is that the International Federation recognizes Hawai‘i as its own country, so we had our Hawaiian flag flying over our tents where the crews sat together awaiting their turn. Also, our keiki did tremendous. They got the most points and secured the second-place world title for us. We are really proud of them!”
When asked what she loves about the Hawaiian Canoe Club, Cano added, “Sixty years ago, John and Kealoha Lake established the Hawaiian Canoe Club to preserve the art of outrigger canoe paddling through traditional Hawaiian values. We also have inspirational Youth Leadership and Scholarship Programs that encourage academic and personal growth opening up opportunities for future success.”
Our keiki come to the canoe club every day, they paddle, learn Hawaiian culture, language, and mele.
– Lisa Cano, Hawaiian Canoe Club
Student Space Exploration Day, one of many career awareness programs offered by STEMworks™ to Maui County students, welcomed middle and high schoolers to an exciting day of STEM-inspired (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) space events. Students enjoyed a special live presentation and talk story with astronaut Scott ‘Scooter’ Altman about living and working in space. They also experienced hands-on scientific demonstrations and presentations of advanced technologies by experts in the field.
Altman, a retired United States Navy Captain, talked about his four Space Shuttle missions as well as his time as a Naval aviator, test pilot, engineer, and astronaut. Recalling his initial rejection from the astronaut program, Altman inspired the keiki to never give up and to always keep trying, as he himself did.
“I like to engage with students because it’s important that we connect with the next generation and get them interested in space-related issues,” he said. “It will be students in this age group, whom I am talking to today, who might be the first ones on Mars!”
Lori Ann Koyama, Lāhainā Intermediate STEMworks Media Production and Graphics teacher, said, “My students were excited to meet the astronaut and to do the hands-on experiments. This day gets them thinking about future careers that are available to them and they always come away wanting more.”
Bernadette Detera, engineer, explained what she does. “We showed the students a 3-D visualization of over 34,000 objects in space which we track. We talked about what satellites contribute to our daily lives, for example, GPS navigation, weather prediction, and long-distance communication. These show the importance of humanity’s future in space.”
Anela Arakawa, 8th grade, Lāhainā Intermediate, noted, “I learned about all the different satellites and how they work and how many objects there are in space. It makes me want to know more, go to college, and get a law degree. Maybe I’ll work in Space Law!”
Jaysen Acoba, 8th grade, Maui Waena Intermediate School, added, “I’m interested in robotics and what it can do for our society in the future. It’s what I love about Student Space Exploration Day; it’s all so inspiring. I want to go to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a world-renowned research university, and help develop technologies that will create a safer space and a better world.”
Student Space Exploration Day really opens the students up to different opportunities they never even thought of. It is vital to get exposure like this for them. STEMworks makes it all happen!
– Lori Ann Koyama, Teacher, Lāhainā Intermediate School
A group of small business owners and leaders of non-profits recently attended a workshop to grow their business with AI. The half-day workshop was hosted by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and presented by Marc Rix, an international adviser, speaker, consultant, and trainer.
A Maui resident and serial small business founder, Marc has guided some of the world’s largest organizations through major technology shifts and helps business leaders put AI to work in practical, human-first ways.
“My goal was simple,” said Rix. “Help Maui’s business leaders separate AI myth from fact and apply AI in their organizations for fast, measurable results. Watching the room evolve from curious to confident to building real, working solutions before lunch proves that you can noticeably raise the tide on AI fluency on Maui in the right setting.”
Rix believes business leaders are being buried in AI noise, hype, and misinformation. The interactive workshop’s whole intent was to help them see through it and succeed with AI on their own terms.
Participants were asked to come prepared with a problem (or two) to solve. Rix helped them to build three “super skills” together, identify quick-win opportunities for AI in their own businesses, and had each leader build a working AI solution they took back to work that same day.
Wayne Wong, Director of Hawaii Small Business Development Center on Maui took part and said, “The workshop struck an unusually effective balance: enough AI understanding to build confidence, enough hands-on practice to make it tangible, and a strong connection to the everyday realities of running a small business.”
Dan Ellis, President of Pacific Millworks added, “We loved the delivery, engagement, and how we used our own business problems, not a textbook.”
MEDB runs workshops with support of County of Maui to assist small businesses owners and entrepreneurs. This workshop gave the confidence and practical skills to turn everyday challenges into working AI solutions—saving time and helping them focus on growing their businesses.
This workshop was not about AI hype, tooling, or engineering — It was about building business leaders’ AI intuition with practical, 80/20, people-first guidance.
– Marc Rix, Advisor, Speaker, Consultant
Continuing to observe the three-year anniversary of the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires, Lights for Lāhainā will return Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, from 4:30-9 pm at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church on 712 Waine‘e Street. The event brings the community together for two memorable evenings honoring Lāhainā’s history, resilience, and hope for the future. Presented by Aloha Amplified, Inc., a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit organization advancing initiatives that foster connection, economic vitality, and long-term resilience, the gathering builds on the inaugural Lights for Lāhainā event held in 2025.
“As a Lāhainā wildfire survivor, I know firsthand that healing does not happen alone,” said Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i, cultural practitioner and board president of Aloha Amplified. “Many of our ‘ohana are still healing and finding their own path forward. Lights for Lāhainā gives us a place to gather, ho‘omana‘o those we love, share our mo‘olelo and draw strength from one another. As we ka‘i together, the lights remind us that although Lāhainā has changed forever, aloha still remains.”
The event will feature storytelling, quiet reflection and gentle mele honoring Lāhainā’s people, places, and mo‘olelo. Live entertainment will be provided by the Kahaiali‘i Brothers, Kevin Brown, Eric Gilliom & Friends, the Wilson Kanaka‘ole Trio, Marty Dread and Hammah House Band. Other highlights will include local food trucks and vendors, cultural practitioners, local community nonprofits, schools and groups, creative activities, ‘ohana bingo, and opportunities to contribute letters, artwork and reflections to the Lahaina Time Capsule.
Described as “a vessel to carry your messages into the future,” the time capsule invites people of all ages to contribute messages, drawings, photographs, memories and hopes for Lāhainā’s future. The submissions, in-person or online, will be preserved in an archival-grade time capsule scheduled to be opened on August 8, 2033, the 10th wildfire anniversary.
“The project honors what Lāhainā has endured while preserving the voices, memories and aspirations of the community for future generations,” said Kahaiali‘i. “September 12 will conclude with a Light March beginning at Pu‘unoa Beach at 6pm, continuing through historic Lāhainā Town to Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, with a kanikapila gathering featuring music by Lāhainā Style Band and ‘ono local food”.
Time capsule submissions, sponsorship, volunteers, food truck and vendor opportunities are available. For event information and participation details, visit online at LightsforLahaina.org.
– Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i Board President, Aloha Amplified, Inc.
A mid-summer Maui TechOhana meeting, presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the hotel guest experience and redefining hospitality. Husband-and-wife team Josh and Dana Ellis shared the story behind Abra Hospitality, their fast-growing AI guest intelligence platform. Josh, Abra’s CEO, brings years of management consulting and tech-industry experience. Dana, Abra’s Chief Hospitality Officer, is currently a manager at the Hotel Wailea with extensive personalized hospitality experience.
“Initially started to help Dana better organize her hotel job, Abra’s AI transforms scattered data into personalized, anticipatory service at scale, giving the hotel staff the superpower to deliver the moments that guests never forget,” Josh explained. “Abra unifies guest data, preferences, and staff observations into a single ‘living memory’ to help boutique hotels provide deeply personalized service.”Presented by MEBD and supported by the County of Maui, Maui Tech ‘Ohana offers a talk-story format and provides an informal networking opportunity open to anyone interested in Maui County’s technology sector.
Josh and Dana explored the power and potential of Hawai‘i’s growing tech ecosystem: how to tap into it, how AI is changing for entrepreneurs, and what fundamentals still matter most. “AI isn’t just the next wave of automation; it’s the operating logic of tomorrow’s enterprise,” Josh added. “Organizations that embrace it by 2028 will likely save costs, release products faster, and redeploy talent to higher-value work. Don’t be afraid of AI. In the long run, it’s here to actually give you more time for things that really matter to you.”
Melissa, a TechOhana attendee, shared, “I’m just beginning to incorporate AI into my business. Josh and Dana gave exceptional tips, from monitoring and feedback at early stages of AI development, to orchestration and strategic oversight as the capability advances. Maui TechOhana provides excellent assistance to businesses in the community.”
“It was a fascinating use of AI to improve the hospitality industry,” remarked Kevin Krewell, a retired technology analyst. “The goal was not to replace people but to enhance their capabilities to allow them to do a better job.”
“I think this should inspire other people looking to do startups in Hawai‘i,” Kevin added. “There’s a network of people within the whole Hawaiian chain – the idea that all of Hawai‘i should connect better as a technology island, a technology platform to share more back and forth between the various islands.”
Human roles will evolve significantly with AI. Enterprises that act early and approach autonomy as a phased transformation will secure lasting advantage and shape industry standards.
– Dana and Josh Ellis, Abra Hospitality
The Harrison and Helen Miyahira STEM Center at Maui High School recently hosted Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™ Innovators Summer Camp program. Camp Kauwela, named after the Hawaiian word for summer, is a place for middle school students to learn, grow, and explore. It blends STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education with Hawaiian culture to inspire students to discover new ideas and potential career paths. Using 3-D printers and Microbit processors, 38 middle-school students and nine high-school STEM experts produced 14 Hawaiian-themed projects done over a period of five days, with a showcase held for families and friends on the last day.
“Camp Kauwela is based on scaffolding mentoring: a teaching method where a mentor breaks complex skills into smaller steps providing support until the mentee grows more confident while completing tasks above their current skill level,” explained Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO. “Together, the younger students are learning from the older students how to use these tools to improve our community.”
Lalaine Pasion, STEMworks Program Specialist, shared, “Camp Kauwela blends STEM education with Hawaiian culture to inspire students to look to the past to shape solutions to solve current challenges. Through hands-on learning, students developed skills, connected with local stories, and deepened their understanding of Hawai‘i’s land and people. More than anything, they left with a stronger sense of identity, heritage, and the power they have to make a difference, all while exploring how science and technology can help shape a better future for Maui.”
“I made life-long friends at Camp Kauwela,” said Alexis, one of the students. “Our Hawaiian word was Kupuna. We were able to express a deeper pride and understanding of our heritage as we worked on our project titled Medminder, a wrist device using Microbits to help kupuna remember to take their meds.”
Madison, in another group of participants, used a 3-D printer to make a ‘Charger Weight’. “Our Hawaiian word was Malama (to care),” she said. “Our team built a device to connect to phones that would solve the problem of chargers getting lost, falling or breaking. I also learned about different careers and how to work together on challenges and share creative solutions that can make an impact for our community. Thank you, MEDB!”
Mahalo to all our partners, volunteers, and supporters who made this year’s Camp Kauwela so special. More information about STEMworks can be found online at www.stemworkshawaii.org.
– Lalaine Pasion STEMworks Program Specialist
De Andre Makakoa is a grassroots videographer and filmmaker who, along with his team, has won two film awards in the 2026 Wailuku Film Festival, ‘Remembering Wai’ (water) and Lāhainā Rising’. The latter also won at HIFF45 last year and recently screened at the United Nations (UN) in New York City (NYC).
The Wailuku Film Festival was a massive success, drawing packed audiences over five days with sold-out screenings and standing ovations. The festival showcased over 100 films, spotlighting more than 55 Hawai’i-based filmmakers, 31 student projects, and indigenous stories. The festival’s focus on authentic, local storytelling resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.
Makakoa explained, “The narrative in our locally-made film, ‘Lāhainā Rising’ was told by the generational families of Lāhainā, offering a profound understanding of the island’s cultural heritage, resilience, and the enduring struggle to protect its natural and ancestral legacy.”
Through raw and harrowing footage, the audience witnessed the wildfire devastation unfold, families fleeing, homes consumed, and Lāhainā reduced to ashes. Through powerful storytelling, the documentary becomes not just a chronicle of loss, but a testament to the unyielding communal lifeforce continually showing a path toward healing, and a future where Hawaiians reclaim their place at the decision-making table.
“The most compelling segment of Lāhainā Rising is dedicated to the remarkable resiliency of the Lāhainā community,” Makakoa said. “Immediately after the fire, the locals stepped up to rebuild and support each other, exemplifying a solid unifying spirit. This narrative of communal strength and solidarity serves as a beacon of hope, symbolizing the potential for recovery and renewal, which we are involved in.”
Some key intentions of the ‘Remembering Wai’ film include educating audiences on the Hawaiian belief that wai is life and should flow freely from mauka (mountains) to makai (sea). Makakoa, who addressed the UN in NYC, added, “Lāhainā’s journey toward sustainability and regeneration serves as both a beacon and a warning, igniting global conversations on building resilient communities in the face of climate change and adversity. Through powerful story-telling and compelling visuals, we seek to mobilize support for tangible action and critical policy changes in Maui, Hawai’i, and the world. Our media work has amplified Lāhainā’s voice for a national and international audience.”
We hope to awaken a deeper understanding of the urgent need for collective action in addressing climate-related challenges while reimagining Maui’s regenerative future.
De Andre Makakoa, Maui videographer and filmmaker
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
