FOCUS MAUI NUI

PBS Hosts Aspiring Student Journalists

Sep 20, 2017 | Events

Jaycie Iha from Maui Waena Intermediate School and Axl Reitz Daguio from Maui High School were among twenty talented PBS (Public Broadcasting System) Youth Fellow storytellers from 13 states, who convened in Washington, D. C. this summer. The third annual Student Reporting Labs (SRL) Academy was an initiative of PBS NewsHour to advance the future of journalism and public media. The middle- and high-school fellows worked alongside public media mentors to produce original digital content and sharpen their journalism and productions skills. The Fellows also helped program leaders develop strategies to engage young people with the news and current affairs, and ensure that diverse youth voices are active in the conversations about critical issues facing the nation.

During the 2016-17 school year, these young journalists contributed to the NewsHour’s broadcast and digital platforms. While they were in D.C., they created stories on numerous subjects. “It was an amazing experience,” said Iha, Maui Waena 8th grader, recalling her experience of journalistic inquiry and media production. “I learned so much and made inspiring connections to real journalists and students who love telling stories as much as I do. Along with three other students from various states, I produced a story about the Quander family. This family is one of the oldest recorded African American families in the U.S., whose ancestors worked for George Washington. My Academy opportunity reconfirmed my journalistic career decision to tell important community stories to the world.”

Jennifer Suzuki, Maui Waena Intermediate School Technology Club Advisor and trip chaperone, said, “The opportunity that this Academy gives students is remarkable. They bring together the best and most dedicated media students from around the country and help them hone their journalistic skills. Students tour the PBS studios, have lunch with real reporters, editors, and producers, have their work critiqued by industry experts, and meet kindred spirits. Most of all they see that the world and their opportunities to make a difference are much greater than they knew.”

GIS Story Map Workshop

Aug 30, 2017 | Events

Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) Project presented a workshop for K-12 teachers on Exploring the Watershed through STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Education. Featuring WIT’s STEMworks™ Watershed Curriculum, the event focused on how GIS (Geographic Information System) Story Mapping can be utilized to protect and maintain the health of our island watersheds.

“The purpose of the workshop is to expose teachers to the power of using Story Maps to present spatial or geographic data in elementary, intermediate, and high school classrooms,” said Emily Haines-Swatek, workshop presenter and King Kekaulike High School STEMworks™ Facilitator. “Using ArcGIS Online, the teachers learned how to combine authoritative maps with narrative text and images that tell an integrated multimedia story.”

Shea Rodriguez, St. Anthony Middle School math teacher, said, “GIS mapping gives my students the chance to develop a variety of skills, and share cross-content knowledge in a hands-on technology approach. One of the most significant techniques offered in the workshop is to enable the students to do their own research. They will learn to gather and apply data to create valuable products that can be used in the community beyond the classroom. WIT’s STEMworks™ program also provides the chance for students to collaborate while they learn about Hawai’ian culture.”

WIT Team Member Denissa Andrade noted, “WIT is committed to supporting educators with essential STEM training and resources necessary for successful student engagement. Thanks to the funding MEDB received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), students are learning the importance of protecting Hawai’i’s watersheds and they are becoming stewards of our islands.”

With the NOAA funding, WIT also supports student experimental field trips to local watersheds such as Kealia Pond, a 704-acre bird sanctuary on Maui’s south coast. Led by biologists, naturalists, and other industry professionals, students observed Hawaii’s endangered wetland birds and migratory visitors firsthand. Using technology such as GPS and mobile devices, students were tasked with creating Story Maps to promote watershed awareness in the community.

MEDB Presents EV Showcase

Aug 2, 2017 | Events

Maui residents who are curious about Electric Vehicles (EV) or hybrids will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about them at the “EV Showcase,” on Saturday, August 12th at Queen Kaahumanu Center, 10 am to 2 pm. The event will feature a variety of both EV and hybrid makes and models including Kia, Tesla, Toyota, Chevy, Nissan and BMW. Experts will give tips on the benefits of purchasing or leasing these vehicles; offer advice on financing from Maui County Federal Credit Union and HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and Maui Electric Company (MECO) will compare their EVWatt Plan to the costs of a conventional vehicle. Additionally, there will be refreshments, prize drawings and giveaways.

JUMPSmartMaui will also launch EVohana during the event. Membership in EVohana provides access to 44 chargers across 13 Fast Charger stations island-wide. MEDB has accepted ownership of these stations to assure continuity of the fast charging network service in Maui.

“Consumer demand for EVs and hybrids has never been higher,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB’s President and CEO. “Batteries with more charge capacity, more charging stations, the price of gasoline, and residents becoming more environmentally conscious are all contributing factors.”

Sharon Suzuki, President of MECO, explained, “As we work to achieve a complete clean energy future, electrification of ground transportation will play an integral role in reducing our state’s overall carbon footprint and increasing use of renewable resources on our islands. It’s through partnerships like the EV Showcase that we hope to fuel interest to get more EVs on our roads.”

Fred Redell, Energy Commissioner for the County of Maui, added, “Options for electric vehicles are expanding rapidly as new models are being introduced by almost every car manufacturer. New options and an expanding market mean opportunity and Maui County is pleased to see MEDB and MECO increasing awareness.” According to the vehicle registration database, there are a total of 737 all-electric vehicles registered in Maui County in addition to 3,525 hybrid-electric vehicles. For more information email: info@jumpstartmaui.com or call (808) 875-2300.