Jan 29, 2020 | Education
John Gaebler, part-time Maui resident working towards his PhD from the University of Colorado in aerospace engineering, has been a three-time participant in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program. In Hawaii and nationwide, this program offers stipend-paid summer internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate level university students pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) degree. If selected for an AFRL internship, scholars work with program administrators to arrange their travel and lodging.
The interns gain valuable hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology, and are able to contribute to unique, research-based projects. Graduate interns are able to collaborate with AFRL on current research and incorporate that knowledge into their graduate work.
“Back in 2016, I was looking for opportunities to broaden my horizons, which led me to apply to the AFRL Scholars Program,” Gaebler said. “Working with the AFRL group on Maui was a great opportunity and probably my most intensive experience with deriving new mathematics.”
Gaebler’s passion and doctoral work is to solve the really challenging tracking problems that arise in maintaining an awareness of our space environment. Technology miniaturization is advancing small-scale satellites to the point where a shoe-box-sized CubeSat is capable of producing valuable science and commercial products.
“Rockets are now launching payloads with as many as a hundred CubeSats,” Gaebler explained. “After some clustered deployments, the CubeSats are so close together that it is nearly impossible to tell which satellite is producing individual tracking measurements. My research is focused on solving the estimation problem of detecting, tracking, and identifying each individual CubeSat after a large clustered deployment. I have also looked into generating initial orbit estimates from on-board camera systems, which could be obtained in near-real time during and after a deployment.”
Gaebler truly enjoyed his time at AFRL and made a lot of future contacts. “I would love to continue improving the state-of-the-art in surveillance tracking with a permanent position at AFRL and live on Maui permanently to pursue my spearfishing and freediving hobbies,” he said.
For more information on the AFRL Scholars Program, visit: https://afrlscholars.usra.edu/.
My work in the AFRL Scholars Program produced various journal submissions and conference papers. The work has also spawned two undergraduate research projects and competitions.
John Gaebler, AFRL Scholar
Jan 22, 2020 | Innovation
Maui High School’s robotic team, Blue Thunder, is true to its mission to inspire and challenge a new generation to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Since Blue Thunder’s rookie year in 2008, the team has had many accomplishments. “Robotics isn’t just about the robot,” said Maui High sophomore, Carlos Cortez. “It is about the team, the people, the bond and the commitment. It is about community.”
Cortez explained, “The program is split up into three departments, builders, programmers, and documenters. Builders design and create the robot based on the teams’ ideas. Each builder chooses a specialty such as welding or machining− learning specific skills to piece together our robot. Our programmers then bring the robot to life with their code. Using JAVA, the department tackles each specific mechanism. Connecting new and old team members allows students to learn from their peers and practice communication skills. Documenters are the community relations and communications of the team. They keep in contact with sponsors and other robotics teams, update social media, create promotional materials for the team, and use videography and photography to document the teams engineering process.”
The Blue Thunder team travels to two regional competitions every year. At the Hawaii Regional on Oahu, team members have the opportunity to meet fellow robotics enthusiasts from Hawaii as well as Guam, Australia, Japan, China, and Taipei. “We get to see many diverse teams with the same passions we have,” said Cortex. “They work hard and try to improve themselves every day, just like we do. It’s awesome being with teams from other countries doing the one thing we love and share− robotics.”
“None of these experiences would have happened without the help of the Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund,” said Maui High School robotics teacher Keith Imada. An award-winning robotics educator, Imada has led Maui High teams to regional competitions for many years. “The Fund helps pay for hotel, transportation, airfare, competition fees, and shipping,” he said. “It also gives students an opportunity to be exposed to numerous STEM-related ideas.”
When we travel, it is interesting to see another team’s thought process and designs. Language barriers are broken down by the passion for robotics.
Carlos Cortez, Maui High School sophomore
Jan 15, 2020 | Community
Recently, the Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat (MCWR) for cancer survivors from Maui and Molokai was held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Following the Hawaiian opening ceremony officiated by Rev. John Hau’oli Tomoso, the three days focused on the retreat theme, ‘Healing Cancer from the Inside Out’. Led by Dr. Bridget Bongaard and a staff of healthcare professionals, MCWR, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was attended by 21 cancer survivors who all received scholarships to participate. Dr. Bongaard, a board-certified internal medicine physician with a post-doctoral fellowship in integrative medicine, designed the event to help cancer survivors, with any diagnosis, transform their lives into a new and better level of health and wellness.
“Integrative medicine looks at all angles to solve problems,” Bongaard explained. “My approach to wellness is a three-dimensional process, physical, emotional, and spiritual. When one has the power of information to make changes, the results become apparent quickly. Best of all, the ripple effect of building community, having support, and being able to care for ‘self’ is massive. It creates effective problem-solving and resilience strategies. It works to eliminate suffering while improving the physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of lives. We look forward to starting healing circles and to supporting each other as the journey — and more retreats –continue.”
A key MCWR presenter was board-certified Lifestyle Medicine physician, Dr. Irminne Van Dyken, who is also a trauma surgeon on Maui. Patrick Brault, a participant from Pukalani said, “Van Dyken’s presentation was relevant information to anyone with cancer. Her talk, “How to Restore the Physical Body to Heal” highlighted the importance of diet, nutrition, physical activity and the dangers of tobacco use and stress.” Attendee Ben Massenburg summarized the general feedback from all the MCWR participants, “With great teachers and fellow cancer survivors, we stood together and supported each other, learning techniques to create a more resilient spirit to promote healing.” A closing ceremony by Rev. Tomoso charged the cancer survivors to move forward in their healing journey. Attendee Rhett Ferguson concluded, “No one fights alone; this was never more evident than during this MCWR.”
“The MCWR program is specifically designed to teach participants skills to meet difficult challenges. With faith and community, there is always hope.”
To learn more about the MCWR contact Dr. Bongaard at bbongaard@gmail.com
Rev. John Hau’oli Tomoso, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Wailuku
Jan 8, 2020 | Education
Over the last 12 years, Aaron Kagawa has shared his expertise with over 1,000 students on Oahu. Kagawa is the co-founder of Altino Coding and Product Manager at a global technology startup, Kentik Technologies Inc. Recently, coordinating with Maui Economic Development Board, he decided to branch out to the other islands to explain his career to interested students. “My goal is to work with STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teachers and students to bring engineering into the classrooms. I want the students to realize that they too can do what I do, if they put their minds to the task.”
An experienced software engineer, Kagawa has been heavily involved in STEM education and nonprofit work. Most recently, he helped kickstart the Altino Coding effort, training Hawaii’s educators in computer science. Kagawa also volunteers his time as technical lead towards cultural and technology efforts like Native Stories, a nonprofit audio content platform and production focused on authentic stories and experiences. Also, he has extensive experience in startups that have grown valuations and received venture capital investments.
“Software Engineering is a growing field that puts engineers in the coolest companies in the world solving the hardest problems in the world,” Kagawa said. “I have been traveling to schools across Hawaii to talk to students about software engineering explaining that if I can do it, then they can. When I was a kid, I never thought I would be a software engineer. I did not learn about coding till I was a sophomore at the University of Hawaii. I finally chose computer science, which at first I struggled with. I did not think I was smart enough, but I didn’t give up. I studied hard, practiced, and asked a lot of questions. After a while I started to understand coding. Plus, I realized that my skills in communication, teamwork, creativity, and thinking outside the box actually mattered in coding. I want all students to know that with hard work they can also have this great job in their future.”
The most important things to becoming a successful software engineer are working hard and believing in yourself. And never give up!
Aaron Kagawa, Product Manager, Kentik Technologies Inc., Co-founder of Altino Coding
Jan 1, 2020 | Community
January 1 will mark not just a new year but will be the first day of the 20’s. Most consider the new decade will actually start in 2021 — the first year A.D was 1 and therefore any year ending in one marks the beginning of a decade. However, it seems much easier to group the 20’s as a new decade. How will you celebrate?
There is a tradition to make noise at the stroke of midnight to ‘ring’ in the new year. Enthusiasts will bang drums, ring bells, blow noise horns, sound sirens or simply pop off a champagne cork. This came about in many cultures around the world to chase away evil spirits. Fireworks were invented in the seventh century A.D. in China for that purpose. Here on Maui fireworks are a long-standing feature of New Year’s celebrations; please take care and use legal fireworks during the permitted hours.
In addition to the noisy tradition, it is a time to enjoy special New Year foods. Japanese families will be gathering for Mochi pounding – the pounding of sweet mochi rice that has been soaked for days to turn into mochi balls. It is a community affair meant to bring peace and prosperity in the New Year.
Sashimi is also a New Year tradition in Hawaii that is believed to bring good luck. If you want an excuse for eating doughnuts, then consider them lucky! Some cultures believe that ring-shaped treats symbolize “coming full circle” which leads to good fortune.
Kissing someone at midnight is not just about showing affection but another respected tradition that brings good luck. It is thought to bring support to someone as they enter the vulnerable transitional period of a new year.
So as you plan to make noise, eat and be merry — Maui Economic Development Board Staff would like to be among the first to wish you “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou” and the very best for 2020 – Happy New Year!
Maui Economic Development Board Staff would like to be among the first to wish you “Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou.” Happy New Year!
Dec 25, 2019 | Community
It began 51 years ago. On Christmas Eve, 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, Air Force Col. Frank Borman, Navy Capt. James A. Lovell Jr., and Air Force Major William A. Anders, became the first humans to see the far side of the moon and the first to enter lunar orbit. They also became the first to see the Earth as a whole planet, which Anders captured in his famous Earthrise photo− making us aware of our planet’s splendor and vulnerability.
Author Frank White later used the term “Overview Effect” in a 1998 book of that title, to describe the astronauts’ reaction to seeing the entire Earth at once. White explained, “As reported by almost all astronauts, the effect of seeing our planet’s beauty and fragility during spaceflight produces a cognitive shift in awareness. In this state of mental clarity, the viewer becomes overwhelmed and awed by the size and magnificence of Earth, seeing it hanging in the void.”
Maui Economic Development Board has invited numerous astronauts to speak with students during the annual Student Space Exploration Day. Astronauts Dr. Leroy Chiao, Dr. Ed Lu, and Dr. Janet Kavandi are among those who have shared their spaceflight experiences and the Overview Effect with Maui youth in recent years.
About her time in space, Kavandi recalled, “Being in space has made me more aware of the impact of humanity on the Earth. It made me feel more responsible and caring about the sustainability of our planet, and the peace and love it generates.” Lu said, “I became more aligned with universal purpose. I looked back at the planet and was struck by its beauty and vulnerability. Seeing massive craters pressed into its crust by past bombardments, I co-founded the B612 Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to defense against asteroid impacts.” Chiao added, “Looking down at our beautiful world, I appreciated life more than ever. It made me reflect on what really is important. The grandeur of Planet Earth is mesmerizing. Seeing it from space made me want to be a steward of Earth. We, humanity, are on it together.”
As the New Year approaches, let us all take a moment, like our astronaut friends did, to reflect with admiration, gratitude and wonder for our planet Earth.
During their presentations, Astronauts Chiao, Lu, and Kavandi inspired Maui students with the wonders of the universe. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
MEDB Staff
Dec 18, 2019 | Education
Robert Schmid, Chief IoT Technologist with Deloitte Consulting, discussed the Internet of Things with over forty Maui small business owners and entrepreneurs at the recent Maui TechOhana meeting. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), and supported by the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Maui TechOhana provides an opportunity to share views and thoughts in an open forum with presentations on relevant topics in business and technology.
Gerry Smith, Director of Business Development for MEDB, invited Schmid to speak at the meeting because of his own curiosity about IoT. “I found out there were many applications where IoT sensors can be used in industry to maximize efficiency,” said Smith. “Sound, vibration, and heat sensors can work to reduce down-time and increase productivity.”
Schmid, now a Maui resident, has more than 20 years of experience transforming Global Fortune 100 and start-up companies to new 21st-century technologies. He is the co-host of the popular YouTube live program, Coffee with Mr. IoT, on Fridays. The program features lively conversations about connecting everyday objects with computers over the internet. At TechOhana, Schmid talked story sharing his career path before going into a number of case studies in which connecting devices in real-time made a big difference to companies and their profits. “One of the greatest opportunities for Maui is in agriculture with Smart Ag,” he noted. “We are looking at ways to increase efficiencies by planning optimal times for planting, saving water, fertilizing and more. My goal is that the IoT be everywhere and affect everyone. We need to connect more and more things!”
Kim Scott, Lahaina resident and founder of MyMARSI.com, said, “This was an amazing event for me. I am an entrepreneur with an idea for an app that has a connection to the IoT. Schmid is a professional who knows what the trends in technology are now. I learned ways to relate the IoT to my current business, giving me ideas for my invention and goals to increase my profits. I’m so grateful to MEDB for all their events and workshops. I wish there were even more!”
Now that chips and computers are cheaper, networking is easier. This cost reduction allows us to use IoT more widely.
Robert Schmid, Chief IoT Technologist, Deloitte Consulting
Dec 11, 2019 | Education, Innovation
This week – December 9th through the 15th – is the national Computer Science Education Week, marked by planned events in schools throughout the state of Hawaii. A highlight of these activities is the Hour of Code, an annual initiative developed by Code.org to spark interest among students across the U.S. and to help address the increasing demand for computer programmers in a variety of fields. The number of computer programming jobs continues to outstrip the numbers of computer science students; it is estimated that there are 1,300 computer science job opportunities currently in Hawaii, illustrating the importance of building training capacity in our schools.
“Maui Economic Development Board and its STEMworks™ program is delighted to have been awarded a Regional Partnership by Code.org to conduct computer science curriculum training for Department of Education teachers across the State,” remarked Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. As a result, this month 14 Maui County schools participating in the STEMworks™ Code.org computer science curriculum will be involved in the Hour of Code, with five other schools statewide also providing all students the opportunity to try computer science for one hour through the STEMworks™ Code.org program.
Over the last two years, MEDB has trained 222 K-12th grade teachers and educators in the Code.org Computer Science Discoveries (CSD), Principles (CSP), and Fundamentals (CSD) curricula, allowing about 7,735 students statewide to become engaged in activities and learn the basics of computer science. Even if students don’t intend to grow up to be computer programmers, advocates say learning code can help them succeed in a broad range of problem-solving skills – most importantly, the ability to think. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path.
These efforts are all the more significant because on the national level, only 45% of high schools teach computer science, compared with 90% of parents who want their children to study the subject. In addition, 67% of all new STEM jobs are in computing, and Code.org estimates that a computer science major can earn 40% more than the college average.
Maui Economic Development Board and its STEMworks™ program is delighted to have been awarded a Regional Partnership by Code.org to conduct science curriculum training for Department of Education teachers across the State.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
Dec 4, 2019 | Community
Santa Paws brightened the spirits of the Maui community during the Maui Humane Society’s (MHS) second annual Holiday Pet Adoption and Wellness Fair. “I love being at the MHS at this time of year, taking photos with all the animals and their families!” Santa Paws exclaimed. “I love all animals! All my pets are from the shelter. Adoption is the most important thing you can do for an abandoned dog or cat, giving them a new life in a loving home, at Christmas and always.”
The MHS, a non-profit organization, has been in existence for 66 years and is the only open-admission animal shelter on Maui. Their mission is to protect and save the lives of Maui’s animals, accepting all in need, educating the community, and inspiring respect and compassion for all animals.
Steve Mackinnon, CEO of MHS, said, “We are thrilled to be able to provide these much needed services to our community, especially during the holiday season. We appreciate the support we receive throughout the year and this is our way of giving back to our community.”
Nancy Willis, MHS Director of Development and Marketing, added, “At the MHS we are proud of our programs and services. Working diligently to find new homes for Maui’s homeless animals, we encourage the community to check out our adoptable pets and learn more about the services we provide, including foster pet care. We envision the day when every animal on Maui will have a loving home and we dedicate ourselves to protecting and nourishing the human-animal bond which we feel makes for a better and kinder society.”
Maui resident Mark Simon said, “Five years ago for Christmas our family adopted Lily, our dog and best friend. Adopting a dog for a Christmas present is a memory we will never forget. Choosing Lily was a family event that presented the true meaning of the season: It is not about what you get; it is about what you give. Opening our hearts to pet adoption delivered this timeless message and we have remained MHS supporters throughout the years. A pet for Christmas is pure love!”
The Maui Humane Society saves animals that are such a big part of our lives. I encourage everyone to adopt a pet or try foster pet care.
Santa Paws
Nov 27, 2019 | Community
Each day of the week the Hale Kau Kau (House of Meals) program serves a hot meal to the hungry and the needy from their kitchen located at St. Theresa’s Church, 25 West Lipoa Street in Kihei. “During this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to share my gratitude to all the community members who help sustain the Hale Kau Kau program on a daily basis,” said the Reverend Monsignor Terrence A.M. Watanabe, pastor of St. Theresa Church and Hale Kau Kau Executive Director. “Working together makes such a difference and speaks volumes of how we are supposed to be involved with one another and caring for the needs of our community.”
Hale Kau Kau welcomes all who are in need of a hot, nutritious meal. They offer a wide range of delicious options, 365 days a year, including an entrée, salad, starch, dessert and drink. For the convenience of the diners, they have a number of picnic tables available, a sink for washing up, and the good company of all those who join them each day. The arrangement is win-win: all who need a meal and those who volunteer receive nurture for their bodies and nurture for their souls. A volunteer tourist from Wisconsin noted, “I am a big supporter of this program and when visiting Maui I want to help people.”
Hale Kau Kau was founded August of 1991 by a diverse group of South Maui individuals. Today, their mission, feeding with compassion and aloha, is to serve anyone who comes to their kitchen at meal-time. They deliver to ill and disabled homebound clients in South Maui, and distribute weekly food baskets and emergency food supplies to families in crisis.
Rev. Watanabe explained, “Sorting and stocking the pantry is a daily job for those who generously give of their time and cooking talents. Everyone in need is welcome and there is something for everyone to do and contribute. Individuals can become fundraisers, delivery drivers, or donors of money, food, goods and clerical services. Dinner is served Monday-Friday, 5-6pm; Weekends 4:30-5:30pm; and Thanksgiving and Christmas at 12 noon.”
Registration is open for our 17th Annual Mulligans-On-The-Blue Charity Golf Tournament for Feeding the Hungry, on Saturday, November 30, 2019. For more info call Mary at 808-875-8754 or email: halekaukau@rcchawaii.org.
Rev. Msgr. Terrence A.M. Watanabe, Pastor of St. Theresa Church, Executive Director, Hale Kau Kau Program
