Oct 26, 2016 | Events, Small Business
Pua Canto, past MNHCoC president, and current president Teri Freitas Gorman
“Navigating Our Future Through Business” was this year’s theme at the 10th Annual Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (MNHCoC) Business Fest. The MNHCoC created the Annual Business Fest in 2006 as a forum to highlight its mission “to promote and sustain Hawaiian values and culture, and enhance the socio-economic status of native Hawaiians in business and as individuals.” Featured speakers, as well as panels, with different business perspectives discussed the socio-economic status of Native Hawaiians in business and education.
“With the impending closure of HC&S, Maui’s economy is in between what it has been and what it will become,” said MNHCoC President Teri Freitas Gorman. “While tourism continues to drive our economy, we also acknowledge that our fragile island cannot survive unlimited growth. Nearly 30 percent of Maui’s residents have Native Hawaiian ancestry, so it’s important for the generations to work together toward a future that is in alignment with our cultural values.”
“Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is a proud supporter of the MNHCoC’s 10th Anniversary Hui Holomua Business Fest,” said Gerry Smith, MEDB Director of Business Development. “It is a fantastic opportunity to network with a wide variety of stakeholders in our business community, learn skills from successful local entrepreneurs and explore issues that are vital to our future economic prosperity.”
Besides sessions, Business Fest attendees visited the Exhibit area featuring displays by MNHCoC members who work in health and wellness, community and social services, food and beverage, as well as cultural practitioners, business consultants, designers, artists, and more.
As part of the MNHCoC’s commitment to the next generation of business leaders, 50 students from Kamehameha School Maui received scholarships to attend the event. “This was a great way for me and my peers to connect with the business world,” said Jasmine Koko Casey, Kamehameha Schools Maui 12th grader. I was inspired to see that our Hawaiian culture and values are an important part of Maui County’s future.”
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, MNHCoC honored its past presidents – Boyd Mossman, Howard Kihune, Jimmy Haynes, Chubby Vicens, Kai Pelayo and Doreen Pua Canto – during an extraordinary dawn protocol on Wailea Beach.
Teri Freitas Gorman, MNHCoC President
Jan 28, 2016 | Environment, Events, Small Business, Sustainability
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Maui County and Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) are hosting the third annual Maui Energy Conference, March 16-18 2016 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Energy experts and stakeholders from across the U.S. and Hawaii will meet to learn about the latest advances in clean energy and how Hawaii plans to achieve the new 100% RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) target. On June 8th 2015, Hawaii updated legislation setting the 100% renewable portfolio standard by 2045. The standards are state and local policies that mandate all or certain types of electricity producers to supply a minimum share of their electricity from designated renewable resources. Hawaii has met its annual RPS requirements to date.
Frank De Rego, Jr. Director of Business Development Projects, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc.
“The 2016 Maui Energy Conference will bring together some of the best minds in the energy sector from Maui County, the state, and the nation,” said Frank De Rego, Jr., MEDB Director of Business Development Projects and member of the conference program committee. “The focus of discussion will be Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative’s 100% RPS and its implications for Hawaii’s energy future. The strengths of the conference over the years have been the high quality of its speakers and panelists, the ample time to network and the availability of the panel sessions to the general public at the conclusion of the conference on the conference website.”
The Conference will seek consensus about realistic targets and goals, the readiness of the utilities to reach them and how much this will really cost. Other issues include how to mitigate disruptions of energy supply and price when transitioning from carbon based fuels to renewables and the importance of a diversified portfolio. Looking at all the other questions: How; Where; Why; and Who Pays are just a few of the obvious issues. “Within ‘how’ and ‘why’ are important sub-questions about fairness and respect for Hawaiian culture and the environment,” said Program committee chair, Doug McLeod, DKK Energy Services. “In addition, the County of Maui’s energy consultant Guernsey has been invited to present their recommendation with regard to ownership of the electric utility on Maui.”
An early-bird registration rate of $395 for the Maui Energy Conference is available through January 31st — a discount of $100. Details on this year’s program are available at the Conference website, MauiEnergyConference.com
Frank De Rego, Jr. Director of Business Development Projects, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc.
Oct 9, 2015 | Environment, Events
The 16th annual Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) was held in September in the culturally rich setting of the Wailea Marriott Resort and Spa. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board and numerous sponsors, the four-day event is known as the top scientific conference in the field of optics and imaging for the surveillance of space. The conference brought together scientists from around the world to offer updates and assessments of current research in the fields of space situational awareness (SSA), space weather and related specialties in astronomy. SSA refers to knowledge of the space environment and the natural and man-made objects in orbit around the Earth.
The Boeing Company, AMOS’s main sponsor, recognizes the need for the future generation to get involved in all areas of space exploration and technological solutions. “Our Global Corporate Citizenship program, which originated on Maui in 2005, continues to contribute to community educational and environmental programs,” said Jerry Cornell, Boeing Site Executive. “AMOS provides a great opportunity for our Boeing experts to engage with Maui County students.”
The students, introduced to space technologies via exhibits and hands-on projects, had the opportunity to meet industry professionals and learn valuable lessons in science, technology, engineering and math subjects. “I learned so much at AMOS and the Boeing exhibits,” said Raider Howard, Lokelani Intermediate 8th grader. “Satellites continue to make a big impact on our community and in the world. We need new technology now and in the future for national security, internet, banking, telephones, television, navigation, scientific exploration and more.”
At Boeing’s simulated optics exhibits, students learned how light is transmitted from the collection points of the large 3.6-meter Haleakala summit telescope, via mirrors to an engineered optics table. Students were tasked to redirect light from a pen laser source, using up to five mirrors, onto moveable pucks, and finally to an optic sensor that buzzed when the laser light touched it. A 3D-printed fast-steering mirror was installed on the simulated optics table, making the laser light bounce off the steering mirror first. That mirror had separate controls, so student teamwork was required to complete the assigned task. “The experiments at AMOS were really interesting,” said Howard. “I might want to be an astronomer.”
Sep 4, 2015 | Education, Events
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) provides leadership and vision in our community for the responsible development of a strong, diversified economy. MEDB’s Technical Assistance Series, Foundations for Business Success, was created in an effort to help small businesses establish systems, processes, tools and best practices to build a secure foundation for success.
“It is essential for any business to have a solid plan rooted in sound principles and practice to be competitive,” said Frank De Rego Jr., Director of Business Development Projects at MEDB. “The accounting seminar and the other workshops in the series can help businesses build their human capital in knowledge and skills, thus improving services and systems while giving team members more time to focus on growth strategies and customer care. Ultimately, these strategies will help businesses succeed.”
Recently, the Boosting Your Financial IQ Accounting Workshop provided invaluable advice to improve business efficiency, promote good accounting practices and help save on taxes. In addition, it offered an ideal opportunity for business owners to get instruction from accounting experts. Lisa Wells, the main presenter, is an IRS Enrolled Agent and CEO/Founder of Personal Accountant Incorporated. “I think MEDB is providing a wonderful program,” said Wells. “They offer a central resource for the business community. I hope to continue my involvement with MEDB because I believe we serve a common goal — helping the small business owner make informed decisions,” she explained. Wells’ wish for all attendees of the Accounting Workshop is that they walk out educated and ready to take their business to the next level. “I believe we can help businesses become successful”, she said.
“I opened my business six months ago,” said Cecilia Hercik from Olavine Spa, Wailea. “I came to the Boost Your IQ Accounting Workshop for financial advice and to network with other business owners. I truly appreciate this opportunity to help me create a thriving business.”
Aug 12, 2015 | Education, Events
Pathways to our Future is an annual event benefiting the MEDB Ke Alahele education fund. Featuresd are distinguished educators; Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui and Ms. Lyndelle Tsutsui; Mayor Alan Arakawa and Ms. Ann Arakawa, plus presentation of the 2015 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award to a student team that demonstrates the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community.
It’s coming up soon: Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. Reception and silent auction start at 4:30 pm, followed by dinner and live auction at 6 pm.
Reserve your tickets now at www.medb.org or call (808) 875-2300. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Jun 24, 2015 | Events
“During Women in Technology’s Space Day program I learned about motorized robotic machines called Scribble Bots. I made one and it scribbles!”
— Kristen Santiago, 5th grade student, Kaunakakai Elementary School, Molokai
Jun 10, 2015 | Education, Events
Mark your calendar now for the annual MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund event for 2015, Saturday, August 29 at the Fairmont Kea Lani. The reception and silent auction begin at 4:30, followed by dinner and live auction at 6 pm. See the MEDB website for more information, reservations, and sponsorship opportunities.
Download the flyer.
Mar 11, 2015 | Environment, Events, Sustainability
Experts from across the nation will present the latest trends in the electric utility industry, as well as the public policy influencing customer choices. Sessions will address issues about advancing toward grid modernization, consumer protection, and engaging customers in a fresh, new way.
Conference sessions include
- Understanding the evolving role of the customer in a broader context
- The customer of the 21st century
- Are we seeing what they’re seeing: customer perceptions on energy
- Advancing toward grid modernization – meeting customer needs
- The growth of distribution generation – good or bad for the customer?
- Community perspectives (video panel discussion)
- How can the customer become an active participant in the energy landscape
- The changing regulatory compact – the customer, the utility, the regulator
- Consumer protection – who’s looking out for the customer?
Keynote speakers include
- Eric Gleason, President, NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC
- Deborah Kimberly, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions, Austin Energy
- Constance Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
- Alan Oshima, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Electric Company
- Luis Salaveria, Director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii
- Mark Toney, Executive Director, The Utility Reform Network (TURN)
For details on how to register and more information about the conference, visit MauiEnergyConference.com
Presented by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Maui Economic Development Board.
Jan 21, 2015 | Environment, Events, Sustainability
With island consumers paying more than double the national average per kilowatt hour for electricity, the second Maui Energy Conference + Exhibition comes at a time when Hawaii is seeing a revolutionary shift to renewable energy resources. The conference, presented by the County of Maui in partnership with Maui Economic Development Board, will be held March 25-27 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The event is expected to draw individuals and businesses from across the state and the country.
At the inaugural 2014 conference, more than 200 recognized policy makers from state and federal government and the private sector gathered to talk candidly about the country’s changing energy landscape and its implications for power utilities and consumers. This time around, the 2015 event promises to explore the evolving role of the electric utility through the lens of the customer. Nationally recognized experts have been invited to speak about emerging trends in the electric utility industry and public policy shaping customer choices including customer engagement programs, distributed generation, microgrids, demand-response programs and renewables integration.
NextEra Energy Transmission President Eric Gleason and HECO President and CEO Alan Oshima have been tapped to give keynote remarks on the opening day of the conference. Hawaiian Electric and the Florida-based NextEra Energy announced a $4.3 billion merger late last year. The conference will also feature multiple sessions with a variety of panelists talking about a range of subjects from meeting the customer’s needs to both self-generate and manage electricity usage to protecting consumers in the new energy/customer choice paradigm. The conference is also offering sponsorship opportunities for companies and exhibit spaces for public and private groups to display products and services. An optional Maui Sustainability Mobile Workshop featuring the Smart Grid Demonstration Project, JumpSmartMaui, will be held on the final day of the conference. Conference fee is $395 prior to Feb. 15; $495 after Feb. 15; and $525 on site. The fee covers admittance to general sessions, exhibit venue, networking exhibit reception, continental breakfast and lunch for two days, and conference materials.
For more information, please visit MauiEnergyConference.com
