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
‘Oko’a Farms, a Maui certified-organic farm established by Ryan Earehart and business partner Sal Gil Coca, began in 2008 and has dramatically boosted Maui’s fresh food system. ‘Oko’a, meaning ‘unique’ in Hawaiian, reflects the team’s commitment to a holistic approach to agriculture. Between their two ‘Oko’a stores, Kulamalu Town Center and Wailea Village, they offer 160 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. ‘Oko’a grows over 125 crops on their farm, with the rest supplied by trusted local growers.
“The magic behind our farm comes from Sal’s expertise in farm production and my passion for community networking through healthy food.” said Earehart. “Together, we have built a robust network of dozens of local vendors and producers. We began our operations on a lone parcel of land in Kula, then expanded to four weekly farmer markets where customers would wait 30 minutes to purchase our produce.”
Now, in their stores, they sell produce that looks and tastes incredible. People say they have the freshest, highest-quality, organically-grown produce on the island. “Our mission is to invest in Maui’s future by strengthening food security and supporting other local farmers,” Earehart noted. “We continue to find unique ways to move in the direction of local food resilience by educating our customers about regenerative, organic, and sustainable farming practices; all thriving in harmony with the land.”
Earehart and Gil Coca also represent a powerful collaboration on Maui that bridges sustainable agriculture with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. They provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare local youth for cutting-edge careers in food production and climate-smart technology. This year, ‘Oko’a will also become a host-site for Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks™ Agriculture Business & Technology Internship Program.
“Interns on the farm will learn how modern technology and scientific principles solve real-world agricultural challenges,” Earhart added. “We focus on vertically-integrated farming, starting from the soil, to seed, to finished nutrient dense food: Studying how ’Oko’a recycles nutrients by utilizing waste from our farm operations, tilapia ponds, and chickens and goats, to fertilize our organic crops; Soil Microbiology: Learning how to nurture underground mycelium networks to naturally transport nutrients between crops without relying on chemical fertilizers; and Agribusiness Technology: Developing modern skills in farm logistics, supply chains, and tech-driven resource management.”
To witness our farming practices firsthand, we offer farm tours to explore the fields where we cultivate over 125 unique crops, have over 1,000 pasture-raised free-range chickens for egg production, and goats rotationally grazing throughout the year.
– Ryan Earehart, co-owner ‘Oko’a Farms
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 (MEDB) showcased their STEMworks™ Agriculture (Ag) Business & Technology Internship Program at the 2026 Maui County Farm Bureau Ag Fest & 4-H Livestock Fair. Through the program, students in grades 9-12 and college undergraduates who reside in Maui County have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple industries within the Ag sector. These experiences, made possible by host companies and mentors, provide invaluable work-based learning for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students, not only to explore professional pathways, but also to work on projects using industry-standard technologies.
“MEDB comes to the Ag Fest each year to promote their Internship Program and the Ag industry in general,” said Britney James, STEMworks Program Specialist. “We need more youth going into the Ag & Business sector and hopefully this program inspires them to consider it.Internships provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that will build their resume, help them learn new skills, broaden their network, and in some cases gain certifications. These opportunities extend what is taught in the classroom and give them real world experience in the Ag field.”
James added, “Wrapping up the spring semester Internship Program in April, the summer program begins June 8th. Applications for fall 2026 will open in August. The deadline to apply will be Friday, September 11th. Visit online at: https://www.stemworkshawaii.org/aginternships.”
Alvis Agader from Maui High School, who completed a spring internship with Happy Lau Farms, said, “I gained extensive amounts of experience and knowledge in farming skills, including power tools, microbiology, irrigation, plant anatomy, natural farming techniques, lab safety, and more.”
Also from Maui High, Sharyah Tacang added, “My internship with Haleakalā Creamery taught me how to make homemade things from scratch, such as caramel, skyr, and gelato. Spending time with and learning about goats, and turning goat milk to cheese, was a plus to my overall experience.”
Completing both a fall and summer internship with the Maui County Department of Agriculture, Jaimie Mamuad from Kūlanihāko’i High School recalled, “I gained a lot more knowledge about Maui agriculture regarding improvement of local sustainability, food security, and creative ways to develop those goals. This opportunity taught me the importance of agriculture and how it affects the resilience of our community.”
Ag Internship requirements include attending weekly virtual development meetings, and presenting at the final showcase. Plus, interns receive a stipend upon successful completion.
Britney James, MEDB STEMworks Program Specialist
The Sheraton Waikīkī’s conference venue was packed with middle and high school students, including many from Maui Nui, for the 17th annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference on April 15th and 16th. Organized by STEMworks™, a program of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the 2-day event is the program’s largest student career awareness and teacher professional development event of the year. The 2026 conference welcomed a total of 612 attendees from all across the state despite moving to a smaller venue due to the closure of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Many of the workshops were standing room only, showing the high demand for engaging, industry-led STEM education opportunities among both students and teachers.
One of the highlights of the conference this year was the interactive exhibit hall, referred to as the “playground.” Over 30 companies and organizations tabled in the playground, representing a wide range of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career pathways and educational opportunities, including healthcare, engineering, computer science, aviation, ocean science, and natural resource management.
Students and teachers benefitted from the expertise of over 60 STEM industry guest speakers who led 38 student sessions and 9 teacher workshops. Keynote addresses were also presented by Caitlin Sarian, a global cybersecurity expert known as @cybersecuritygirl online, and Maile Miyake, a graphic designer and entrepreneur from Kauaʻi.
In light of this year’s conference theme, “Navigating Change,” many guest speakers focused on helping students learn about artificial intelligence (AI) tools and how to use them effectively and responsibly. One student attendee commented, “I learned about how AI can be used for chatbots and to improve our time efficiency when it comes to repetitive actions.” Another student shared, “My favorite session was creating a custom AI. It was cool to be able to create an AI that I could make do anything.”
Over 40 industry professionals also joined the students for an hour of speed networking. Students were encouraged to ask the professionals about their careers, educational backgrounds, and paths to their current roles. One teacher observed, “The best part of the event is being able to take my students to experience avenues of career choices connected to STEM. It was great to see how much they took in from this conference.”
Students traveled from all islands to participate in the event, with 196 of the 366 student participants coming from Maui County, including Molokai and Lānaʻi. Among the 82 teachers at the conference, 50 were from Maui County. STEMworks is proud to offer financial support to neighbor island students and teachers for travel costs thanks to the program’s many donors, grant funders, and event sponsors.
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
Over 50 students from across Maui County, including 3 from Molokai, joined healthcare professionals at Kaiser Permanente’s Maui Lani clinic in November for a Saturday filled with career exploration and hands-on learning. The event, organized by Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™ program and Kaiser Permanente staff, was designed to introduce students to a variety of healthcare specialties through activities run by medical providers themselves.
“With healthcare comprising over 10% of Maui County’s employment, MEDB is committed to supporting the growth of our local healthcare workforce, identified as a top priority by the Maui County Healthcare Partnership,” said Ila Ferris, MEDB’s Healthcare Program Manager. “We’re so grateful for our continuing collaboration with Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi to introduce students to the many career pathways available so they can thrive locally and contribute to the wellbeing of their community.”
The five specialties featured during the event were primary care, physical therapy, pharmacy, wound care, and phlebotomy. Students practiced skills like taking vital signs using a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and drawing blood from a realistic silicone arm. At the physical and occupational therapy station, participants learned about human anatomy and exercises for recovering from sports injuries in Kaiser Permanente’s on-site gym. Students enjoyed a Jeopardy-style game to test their pharmacy knowledge, and the wound care station emphasized the importance of proper wound treatment using fruits to illustrate what wounds look and feel like during the healing process.
Students reflected on their own interests and possible career pathways after hearing about the experiences of the healthcare professionals involved in running the event. “I learned about being an internal medicine doctor and how there are many specialties you can branch off into,” noted Maui High School senior Jasmyn Yun.
“I really loved being able to get hands on and being able to talk with professionals in the medical field…for the short amount of time we had, I think it was really good,” commented Kody Manegdeg, a senior at King Kekaulike High School. “There’s way more to the medical field than just nurses and doctors,” he added.
Building a strong physician and clinician pipeline for Maui starts long before college or medical school; it starts with exposure, encouragement, and opportunity. These career exploration days are another step toward ensuring our Valley Isle students see a place for themselves in the healthcare workforce.
– Dr. Chris Martin, Associate Area Medical Director, Maui, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks program has announced that its 17th Annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference will be taking place at the Sheraton Waikīkī on April 15-16, 2026. The education and professional development event serves hundreds of middle and high school students and K-12 teachers each year from all across the state, providing participants with a fun and immersive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning environment and opportunities to connect with Hawaiʻi-based STEM experts and industry leaders.
Like paddlers in a waʻa (canoe) navigating uncertain waters, this year’s conference theme, “Navigating Change,” encourages students to look inward to discover their unique strengths and passions to contribute meaningfully to their communities. In times of change, each student’s talents become essential pieces for a larger collective journey, requiring both self-reflection and collaborative action. STEMworks seeks to help students understand their own role and work in unison with others so that they can steer toward a brighter future for Hawaiʻi. Through hands-on sessions led by professionals in fields including healthcare, engineering, computer science, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, the conference is STEMworks’ largest career awareness and professional development event of the year.
Middle and high school students interested in growing their STEM skills and learning more about STEM career pathways are encouraged to collaborate with a teacher from their school to register and attend as part of a student group or to register individually. K-12 teachers are also invited to register; it is not required that teachers attend with students, and a variety of teachers-only breakout sessions will be offered throughout the event.
STEMworks is also seeking STEM industry professionals and academics to lead one-hour breakout sessions for small groups of students during the conference. Designed to provide students with hands-on experience and skill-building, breakout sessions are a space for industry experts to share their enthusiasm and knowledge about their chosen education and career pathways. These sessions also give industry guest speakers a chance to recruit more advanced students for employment and educational opportunities, like internships and academic programs.
This year’s Hawaiʻi STEM Conference was so fun…I got to meet and talk to new people. I hope I can go to the conference next year and meet more new people and go to sessions I haven’t been to yet to learn more about other people and what their job is or what they did in college.
Molokai Middle School Student, 2025 Hawaiʻi STEM Conference Participant
