Maui resident Alex Fielding, Privateer Space CEO and Chairman, was the most recent guest speaker in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Maui TechOhana virtual event series. Supported by the County of Maui and MEDB, the TechOhana events provide unique learning experiences and informal networking opportunities for anyone interested in Maui’s County’s technology industry. The virtual meeting had the advantage of breakout rooms to encourage information sharing and social interaction amongst the participants.
“MEDB continues to be a leader in our business community by providing local entrepreneurs and small-business owners the practical knowledge, skills and resources they need to aim high and succeed.” said Frank De Rego, Jr., Director of Business Development Projects for MEDB. “We at MEDB are thrilled to introduce Alex Fielding to the Maui tech community and thank him for his generosity in talking story with us as friends and colleagues.”
Fielding discussed his journey of self-discovery as a “techie” and entrepreneur. His resume includes work at Cisco, Apple and NASA, followed by his own company Ripcord specializing in the field of robotic scanning and digitization. Currently, his new company, Privateer Space, is developing new green space technologies and creating the first accurate map of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Fielding hopes to identify, assess and track debris among the thousands of satellites in LEO.
“The dangers of space junk remain all too present,” Fielding explained. “In May, astronauts aboard the International Space Station discovered a five millimeter-wide hole in a robotic arm attached to one of the modules. Privateer Space has just begun working with Astroscale, an orbital logistics and servicing startup that is the first to successfully demonstrate a space junk removal satellite, and we have also signed a partnership with the U.S. Space Force. I am eager to help build Maui County’s technology business ecosystem while tackling issues of global importance.”
Regular Maui TechOhana participant Joe Breman, President and CEO of International Underwater Exploration, reflected, “MEDB’s Maui TechOhana provides leadership and vision in our community for the development of a strong and diversified economy. The collaborative efforts and networking have immensely helped me improve my business.”
Privateer Space has received all necessary approvals to launch its first satellite, Pono 1, in February 2022, followed by Pono 2 in April.
The East Maui Animal Refuge (EMAR), a kindhearted nonprofit, was established to care for any animal, domestic, farm or wildlife, in distress, when no individual or other organization is available to deliver the necessary care. “We provide this care at no charge to the individual or group who rescued the animal,” said Sylvan Schwab, EMAR Executive Director and co-founder. “Any financial assistance provided to us is given freely as a donation to support the mission of the Refuge.”
EMAR began in 1977 as a unique therapy program for Suzie Schwab, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Sylvan, her husband, noticed that her caring for an injured bird gave Suzie the strength to fight her illness, and so he began bringing home more animals in need of her loving care. Consequently, her therapy program developed into EMAR, a unique rehabilitation center with 300-500 animals being cared for at any given time; 365 days a year. “Incredibly, for 41 years the love Suzie showered upon the animals contributed to her recovery from cancer until her passing in 2018,” Sylvan explained. “Suzie’s compassion and love for the animals inspired and sustained EMAR’s mission. Since most of the animals have come to us with injuries or ‘boo boos’ of one type or another, EMAR is also known as the ‘Boo Boo Zoo.’”
Licensed by the state to rehabilitate animals, EMAR continues to care for animals that are unwanted, have been abused or abandoned, or cannot be cared for properly. “We provide a sanctuary where they can live out their lives happy and loved,” Sylvan said. “Our committed volunteers work tirelessly to sustain our organization, many of whom have been with us for over ten years.” Sylvan’s vision is to one day start a Community Veterinary Clinic, with a veterinarian that lives on-site. He reflected, “Many people cannot afford emergency veterinary services, which are presently extremely expensive on Maui. I have always felt that if you do the right thing, the universe will support you. We are not about money; we are about life. We are doing what is pono and that’s what matters.”
I am grateful to all those in the community who help the animals in whatever way they can.” Visit us at: www.eastmauianimalrefuge.org for more information.
Sylvan Schwab, EMAR Executive Director and co-founder
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is proud to announce a partnership with Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) in its efforts to spread the word throughout the State of Hawaii about two of the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ‘America’s Seed Fund’ research grant programs, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). The SBA will be conducting a National SBIR/STTR Week July 19-23 to introduce entrepreneurs to the needs and requirements of each of the U.S. government’s agencies that have grant money for research.
“The 2021 National SBIR Week is a virtual event connecting entrepreneurs and researchers working on advanced technologies to the SBIR/STTR programs and to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding,” said Frank De Rego, Jr., Program Director, MEDB Business Projects. “It will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear directly from the participating federal agency program managers that administer over 7,000 new awards annually and to meet virtually one-on-one with program decision makers. Together the programs provide over $4 billion in funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas.”
This is a significant opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, or small technology firms who are thinking of starting a business with an exciting technology idea or to commercialize an idea. Receiving an SBIR/STTR grant means a company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy subject-matter experts and the panels of expert reviewers they employ.
De Rego noted, “In addition, HTDC in partnership with MEDB will be hosting a series of preparation seminars. The key to getting started for an SBIR/STTR grant is meeting with the individual program managers and learning the specific target technologies and the unique requirements for future research.”
There is a sign up for the 2021 National SBIR Week to reserve times for one-on-one meetings with program managers at the SBIR/STTR agencies such as NASA, USDA, Air Force, Navy, NFS, and more. The free webinars are jointly sponsored by MEDB, UH Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC), the HTDC Innovate Hawaii program, and Denise McKenzie of OIC. Register for workshops at https://bit.ly/3j3GLWs.
“For more details on the workshops and seminars in the OIC, HTDC Innovate Hawaii SBIR and MEDB Prep series visit https://www.medb.org.”
For more details on the workshops and seminars in the OIC, HTDC Innovate Hawaii SBIR and MEDB Prep series visit https://www.medb.org.
Frank De Rego, Jr., Director of Business Development Projects, MEDB
Nisei Veterans Memorial Center recently welcomed former Governor George Ariyoshi, Hawaii’s longest-serving governor, to its ‘Afternoon with the Author’ Zoom series. In Ariyoshi’s newest book, Hawaii’s Future, he talks about leadership on Maui, the importance of values, and how things we do now will have a great impact on the future. An American lawyer and politician, Ariyoshi served as the third governor of Hawaii from 1974 to 1986. He is the first American of Asian descent to serve as governor in any U.S. state.
Concerned about Hawaii’s future, Ariyoshi has spent many years pondering his latest book. It is an insightful guide for today’s leaders and residents to examine Hawaii’s past while asking readers to discover ways to create a better Hawaii. “There are many issues of concern,” he said. “For example, the oceans and our land need to be taken care of. Stewardship is key. The philosophy of agriculture and education are vital now. Plus, it is crucial to engage the community. Setting policies alone does not make a community good, it is reaching out and working with the people.”
As a three-term governor of the State of Hawaii, Ariyoshi set in motion a series of wide-ranging policies that became his legacy. He noted, “During my 13 years as Hawaii’s chief executive, I adopted responsible fiscal strategies, maintained progressive trade relations and steady tourism growth, optimized the development of ocean resources, worked on land preservation and conservation, and strengthened Hawaii’s presence in the Pacific”.
A firm believer in planning, Ariyoshi said his concerns for Hawaii have grown more urgent than ever. “When I was in office, state planning was an important part of the government agenda,” he emphasized. “It is important to pay attention now and ask the question, What about Hawaii’s future? I think we need to look ahead at what needs to be done. We must also consider climate change and homelessness issues in order for us to have a good Hawaii. Every person in the community should work together, participate and be useful to make our state great for our future generations.”
We are never too young or too old to care, participate, and contribute to our community.
Presented by Maui Economic Development Board, (MEDB), the 3rd annual EMER-GEN® program, which preceded the 2020 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS), is a joint initiative of AMOS and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). A global non-governmental organization (NGO) and non-profit network, SGAC represents university students and young space professionals, ages 18-35, to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia.
“EMER-GEN for young professionals builds on the capabilities and network of the AMOS Conference,’ said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “The 2020 program, with a cohort of 37 participants from 13 countries in 13 time zones, went virtual this year. It was great exposure for the ten Hawaii-based participants in a program that aims to foster commercial space entrepreneurism in Hawaii.”
This year’s EMER-GEN program was developed with the help of the young professionals on the planning committee, including two representatives from the SGAC—Quentin Verspieren, Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory, The University of Tokyo, and Michael Barton, a.i. solutions, Inc. and past participant in 2018 and 2019. They were joined by Amber Imai-Hong, a participant in the 2019 cohort and avionics engineer with Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory.
Imai-Hong reflected, “I thought it was interesting that although our cohort was diverse in background, both technical and ethnic, the traits we valued in leadership were similar and complementary. With the help of mentors from industry, government, academia and NGOs, EMER-GEN® was filled with critical-thinking exercises. The cohort came to understand how nations reach agreements, and how the objectives of different stakeholders enhance effectiveness in a global environment”.
Barton added, “Thanks to MEDB, SGAC and our sponsors for providing the cohort with a successful development program. Additionally, thanks to the mentors for sharing their wisdom on cross-cultural communication, leadership, and career development.”
Tom Kubancik, founder and Executive Vice President of Trusted Space, Inc. and EMER-GEN mentor concluded, “Members of the cohort, distributed all over the globe, had remarkably diverse cultural backgrounds, but similar scientific and career interests in space. All the delegates were interested in making a difference for themselves, their country, and moving the science forward.”
Through the whole program, participants were challenged to create new opportunities for space-based technologies aimed at key issues
Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows is a nonprofit community-based program created to identify and develop Maui’s future leaders. To date, over 150 accomplished young professionals have graduated from the year-long program. The Fellows are a diverse cross-section of residents drawn from business, government, academia and nonprofit organizations. In January, the group took part in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Project Weekend. The preparation for this weekend began with a 60-second pitch exercise on Friday evening.
“We wanted to give the Fellows some tips and rehearsal for their pitches,” said Frank De Rego, Jr., MEDB Director of Business Development Projects and facilitator. “It sets them up for an intense weekend with the fellows working in teams through all the various aspects of project development to better address Maui Nui’s challenges.”
Coaches, with their backgrounds as business and community leaders, mentored the project teams the following day. The weekend culminated on the Sunday afternoon with the teams presenting a 5-minute pitch presentation to a panel of judges comprising of accomplished Maui Nui decision makers and influencers. A winner was announced although the emphasis of the weekend was on the learning process and for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows to get an immersive understanding of developing a project from start to finish.
The winning Project Weekend team included project creator Ashley Takitani-Leahey with Riley Coon, Teana Kaho’ohanohano, Jeeyun Lee and Carrissa Holley. “Project Weekend was intense but incredible,” said Holley. “I got to spend time with an amazing team. Combining all our skills, we learned so much from each other. We are all grateful to have such an amazing and supportive team here at MEDB who was there for us through thick and thin.”
Judge Brittany Heyd, cofounder of Mana Up, added, “The participants had their own angles and expertise on how to support Maui and solve problems that they foresee in the future. It was inspiring to see them use their own resources and work as a team to get the job done. We need our young leaders to step up with more innovative ideas for the future.”
With the social distancing regulations taking place on Maui for an indefinite time, Ka Ipu Kukui is looking at alternatives for the current and new cohort. Visit https://kaipukukui.com for more information.
The Fellows awareness of diverse topics and perspectives amazed the judges who had a difficult time choosing the winners.
Gerry Smith, MEDB Director of Business Development
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) has lost a dear friend and dedicated STEMworks™ supporter with the passing of Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of the late United States Senator Daniel Inouye. Hirano Inouye was a nationally recognized leader in the nonprofit sector, with more than 35 years’ experience in nonprofit administration, community education, and public affairs. Her national reputation has been built on a record of vision, collaboration, and accomplishment, as well as an unyielding commitment to the values of fairness and individual opportunity.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO reflected, “In 2013, MEDB, with the endorsement of Hirano Inouye, established the Daniel K. Inouye (DKI) Innovation Award to honor the late Senator’s vision for Maui as an innovation center for the latest scientific and technological advances. She recognized the critical nature of MEDB’s work throughout its history to enhance education and training in our community.”
In past years, the senator and his wife headlined MEDB’s annual Ke Alahele Education Fund dinner, with proceeds used to support and administer MEDB-led STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educational programs and to provide grants for STEM initiatives. “The DKI Award is presented to a Maui County project team that demonstrates the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community,” said Wilkins. “The Award is open to all Maui County students in grades 6-12 who submit a project that has a practical function and value to the community.”
Hirano Inouye received the Global Ambassador Award from the Price School for best representing the mission and expertise of the school in a global setting. She served as president of the Washington D.C.-based United States-Japan Council, which enhances relations between the two countries through people-to-people connections. In addition, Hirano Inouye has been recognized for her outstanding leadership as the former CEO and President of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, and her service with prominent philanthropic and nonprofit boards across the country, including the Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities, among others.
Hirano Inouye was involved in nonprofit work early in her career, serving for 13 years with a clinic for low- and moderate-income women and families. She was a gracious humanitarian!
Mayor Michael Victorino recently announced $100,000 in grant funds to Maui Economic Development Board Inc. (MEDB) for local production of emergency ventilators to treat COVID-19. “This is very good news!” said Victorino. “Ventilators are crucial when it comes to effectively caring for COVID-19 patients, so having these companies producing them on island is a true blessing for our community. We also want to mahalo MEDB and the two companies for their partnership in producing these ventilators.”
There are several nationwide collaborations that are developing open-source plans for manufacturing ventilators, including a group from MIT, UT-Austin, UC-Irvine, and a few groups in Hawaii. On Maui, two locally-owned technology companies are immediately redeploying their engineering and machining capabilities to manufacture the ventilators. Maui Innovation Group, led by Dr. Ned Davis at the Maui Research and Technology Park, is currently developing breakthrough magnetic valve technology at the U.S. Air Force Academy. HNu Photonics, led by Dr. Dan O’Connell of Kahului, presently has their Maui-built biolab in orbit on the International Space Station.
“Our companies are in the process of retooling to manufacture ventilators to support Hawaii’s needs,” said O’Connell. “We were called to action to use our design and manufacturing facility to produce bridge ventilators that provide basic assisted-breathing mechanisms for various stages of patient treatment. We are working with multiple groups that have been assembled quickly in response to the growing urgency. These groups are sharing information about designs, plans, specifications, components, vendors, regulatory requirements, and safe operation.”
“Thank you to these local companies, founded by our talented tech professionals on Maui, for their efforts and willingness to step up during this time of need,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “The effort is part of a nationwide emergency collaboration to recruit technology companies to fill national and local ventilator needs. The two Maui companies came together quickly on conference calls with national officials to discuss the details. Once they ramp up production they will be in a position to supply Hawaii with ventilators and help the national repository, but Maui is a first priority.”
Maui can be proud of its local businesses for meeting urgent community needs by using their technical knowledge and skills.
Upcountry girl Cymbree Kailiehu-Fevella, owner and founder of Cymz Sweet Kre8tionz Bakery, creates signature sweets of all kinds. Her journey began in 2014 while baking for family and friends. “What was just a hobby in the beginning became something that blossomed into a full time business,” said Fevella. “My mom used to bake all the time. I simply inherited a love of baking from her.” Fevella incorporates local fresh fruits from growers around the island to add to her truffles, cake cups, ube (purple sweet potato) pies, cupcakes, tarts, and more. “I try to remain innovative and creative when it comes to the ingredients,” she said. “I truly love what I create and bake, and try to show it through my work.”
Last summer Fevella and her husband opened up their own bakery retail shop at 153 Ma’a Street in Kahului. They built their own fully equipped commercial kitchen and a retail storefront to showcase the desserts. Over the years, Fevella worked with Gerry Smith, Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Director of Business Development. “He has been the best thing that has ever happened for our business,” she said. “He helped us understand how to price our products correctly, and figure out the logistics of our costs and everyday expenses. I would like to give MEDB and Smith many thanks for mentoring us with everything, our company’s pitch presentation, our commercial profile, the shop’s overhead, and numerous business-related odds and ends.”
Smith added, “One of Fevella’s keys to success is her ability to take advantage of the services that are available to help her business. MEDB has helped her with analyzing costs and helping her prepare for pitches. She also enrolled in the Maui Food Innovation Center class, received assistance from the Maui Food Technology Center, and recently she applied for a Manufacturing Assistance Program grant from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. In 2018, Fevella won First Place in the Maui Food Industry X-Celerator Program at the UH Maui College. Anyone in the Maui community can apply for these support services.”
MEDB helped us stay focused, making sure we knew our margins and were maintaining our consistency.
