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
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 Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™ education program is continuing to expand its paid summer internship options this year to meet growing student demand for meaningful, on-the-job training in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. After hitting an all-time high last summer with over 120 interns across the state, STEMworks aims to accept at least 170 high school and college students this summer. The success of the program rests on STEMworks’ role as matchmaker between interns and host companies, ensuring that students enrolled in the program gain experiences that align with their interests and skills.
STEMworks offers three different options for students interested in STEM summer internships. The first is STEMworks Innovation Internships, a statewide program focused on placing students with cutting-edge STEM companies, covering fields such as cybersecurity, aerospace, manufacturing, medical research, and aquaculture. The application form is online here: https://bit.ly/STEMinno26. The deadline to apply is April 3.
For Maui County students interested in agriculture, STEMworks Agriculture Business and Technology Internships offer hands-on experience in a wide variety of agriculture-related professions, not just traditional farming. Intern program manager Britney James explained, “While the careers are based in the agriculture sector, students can apply the skills they learn to other fields. Students come away with the understanding that the agriculture sector has many different types of industries that can fulfill their career aspirations.” Students can apply online here: http://bit.ly/2026SummerAgInternships. Applications are due May 8.
New this year, STEMworks is also launching the Maui County Healthcare Student Placement program. After working with the MEDB-facilitated Maui County Healthcare Partnership, STEMworks staff decided to create a paid work-based learning and job-shadowing program specifically for students interested in healthcare careers to meet the growing need for more healthcare workers in Maui County. Students interested in healthcare job shadowing can find more information here: https://forms.gle/5ktgisJzSqGgmFNq9. The deadline to apply is April 3.
This is a valuable opportunity for students to build their resumes, explore career options, gain new skills, and grow their networks. I’ve never had any students walk away from their internship experience disappointed.
Britney James, Agriculture Program Manager, Maui Economic Development Board, STEMworks
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.
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.
Maui’s youth are taking center stage at this year’s Maui Matsuri Children’s Festival. The free multicultural events will take place on Saturday, May 10, at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, and this year’s event will feature Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks AFTERschool program with students and teachers from across Maui County. The students will showcase a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) projects through hands-on activities that honor both Hawaiian culture and STEM innovation.
Each STEMworks AFTERschool site will host a table featuring interactive displays and student-led presentations. Participating schools and activities will include:
Iao Intermediate: honoring Mother’s Day through a hula performance and tribute to Queen Liliʻuokalani and presenting projects in coding, entrepreneurship, and healthcare
Kalama Intermediate: hosting a special hula performance as well as robotics, art, 3D printing showcase, and optical illusion photo and video activities
Lokelani Intermediate: providing beaded bracelet activities and a showcase of digital art, interactive student video games, and 3D printed designs
Maui Waena: highlighting media and entrepreneurship student projects
Molokai Middle: showcasing native Hawaiian plants and agriculture, robotics
Pukalani Elementary: providing introductory STEM activities and robotics demonstrations
This community event is a chance to support local students and see the impact of the STEMworks AFTERschool program. Families, educators, and community members are all invited to enjoy the day, celebrate keiki, and be inspired by local STEM students’ talent and dedication to learning.
The festival will start at 10am, with other performances and activities including a Chinese lion dance, a cultural parade, a Bayanihan folk dance, and a wide variety of craft tables run by local organizations. For more information about the Maui Matsuri Children’s Festival, including the event schedule, visit https://mauimatsuri.com/. To learn more about the STEMworks AFTERschool program, visit https://www.stemworkshawaii.org/afterschool.
Community members are also invited to mark their calendars for the Maui Matsuri Japanese Festival, which will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 3pm to 9pm at UH Maui College.
Something new is changing lives at Venture Physical Therapy (VPT), also known as Venture Rehab. A family run small business started in 2008 and now with three clinics on Maui and the sole physical therapy (PT) practice on Lānaʻi, VPT clinics are the only ones in the state that currently utilize exoskeleton technology from Ekso Bionics. By developing wearable robotics to assist patients who have lost mobility, Ekso is helping thousands of individuals take millions of Ekso-aided steps.
Ekso’s robotic exoskeleton, EksoSkeleton, is designed to reteach the brain and muscles to properly walk again. It allows patients who are unable to walk to experience walking safely and also helps individuals who are able to walk to regain a natural gait. FDA-approved for a wide variety of conditions that affect mobility, including brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis, the EksoSkeleton allows patients to practice balancing, shifting weight, squatting, walking backwards, and stepping in place.
“The Ekso is exciting because it represents a level of technology and care not seen in the state before,” said Dr. Ted Anderson, owner of VPT and winner of the 2022 Mayor’s Small Business Award. “It provides a huge opportunity to continue to strengthen neural pathways long after muscles fatigue. Plus, the incredible thing about the Ekso is watching the overwhelming joy of patients and their families as they take their first steps.”
VPT physical therapist Talia Petersen shared, “The Ekso is a wonderful representation of how technology and physiology come together to elevate our treatment. It is specially programmed to both support and challenge the patient to improve their walking pattern.”
Lisa Selman noted about her sister Sharon’s physical therapy, “This exoskeleton was a game-changer for my sister, who was diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury and left-side injuries from a pedestrian accident. It kick-started her recovery by reestablishing the brain-body signals and connections. To have had access to such amazing rehabilitation technology through Venture Rehab has made a huge difference in her ability to use a walker and regain greater mobility and independence.”
For more information, go to venturerehab.com or follow VPT on social media, @venturerehab.
With the help of a wearable robotic exoskeleton, mobilization can begin. There are a lot of happy tears at our Kalama Heights clinic.
Dr. Ted Anderson, Owner and Physical Therapist, Venture Physical Therapy
As National STEM Day approaches on November 8, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) reflects on and celebrates how far Maui Nui’s STEM community has come in recent decades. In 1999, Senator Daniel K. Inouye encouraged MEDB to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education-to-workforce pipeline. In a 2004 statement to the U.S. Senate about expanding the role of women in STEM, Sen. Inouye observed, “Not only is it a strategy that will ensure our global competitiveness and national security, but it is the right thing to do to ensure that all our citizens have equal access to the education and training needed to succeed.”
MEDB took the message to heart and developed the Women in Technology (WIT) Project, now STEMworks™, to motivate underrepresented groups such as women and Native Hawaiians to pursue technology-related careers. Leslie Wilkins, former WIT program director and MEDB’s current president and CEO, commented, “Virtually every field in every sector of the economy needs STEM professionals, people who are fluent in various technology skills.”
Maui resident Lisa Thompson, Operations Unit Director for KBR, Inc., recalled the hurdles women faced when she began her STEM career. “Back in the 80’s, it was very difficult for women to balance a career with being a mom. Plus, there were so many new technological skills to learn.” Currently, she is optimistic, and observed, “I see a lot more women going into technology, but we are still the minority. MEDB’s educational outreach programs inspire and empower students and educators to have the confidence that they can succeed.”
Katlynn Vicuña, a UH Mānoa alumna and mechanical engineer for Lockheed Martin, also shared, “From a female standpoint, I still find myself in meetings with mostly men, but now they tend to listen to what I have to say. I love that there are many female as well as young professional engineer groups, as in some of MEDB’s programs, where people get together, support, and lift each other up. In fact, through an MEDB event, I was inspired to take an internship at Lockheed Martin where I was offered a permanent position.”
MEDB is excited to continue offering STEM learning opportunities to students all across the state this school year. STEMworks’ biggest event of the year, the 16th Annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference, will be held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu on March 24 and 25, 2025. For more information, visit https://www.hawaiistemconference.org/.
There is a diverse set of career paths in technology…the last 30+ years in my career included programming, data administration, information security, and much more. Currently, I’m a director managing a large team of technical individuals.
Lisa Thompson, Operations Unit Director, KBR, Inc.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary on Maui, the annual AMOS Conference – renowned globally for bringing together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from space-related fields – was presented in September in Wailea. The conference welcomed 150 middle school students, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educators, and Maui High School robotics students for a Space Exploration Day event run by Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks team. The students were thrilled to meet former astronaut and current Deputy Administrator of NASA, Pam Melroy, who logged more than 38 days in space while working to assemble the International Space Station and is one of only two women to have commanded a space shuttle. The students also explored the conference exhibit hall and engaged in hands-on STEM activities led by space industry experts.
“It’s an honor to be here,” Melroy said. “It’s important to connect with the next generation and get them interested in space-related issues. There are great things happening right now. Artemis will launch soon, SpaceX is doing incredible things, we are going back to the Moon, to Mars, and more. Maybe someone here right now will be the first one on Mars!”
Melroy added, “Being in space brings on feelings of stewardship, sustainability, and respect for our planet. From space you can see the edge of the horizon. There is a thin blue line around it—the atmosphere—everything that keeps us alive is there. We need to care for all of it.”
Lori Koyama, Lahaina Intermediate School teacher, said, “It’s amazing to bring students to this event and expose them to career pathways that exist for their future in Hawai’i. They experienced new opportunities they didn’t even know existed.”
Lilyanne, Maui Waena Intermediate student, shared, “I learned that space exploration has led to many technologies that are used in everyday life including internet, banking, health benefits, and much more. This whole experience, meeting Pam Melroy and doing STEM activities is incredible!”
Liam, a Maui High robotics student, said, “Pam Melroy’s description of what she’s done in her life and the skills and traits she’s developed showed the effort and time you have to put in to do something like this. She showed us the work in school we need to do to accomplish such tasks, and that there is a job for each of us. We are all inspired today!”
It will be students in this age group that I am talking to today who will explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all.
Pam Melroy,
Astronaut and Deputy Administrator,
NASA
