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
Nov 20, 2019 | Education, Small Business
CyberHawaii, in partnership with the Maui Economic Development Board, brought a Cyber Readiness Workshop to Maui for businesses and nonprofits. Cyber security is the practice of protecting systems, networks, programs, and people against digital attack. Pulling together a panel and participants from business, government, cyber security and Information Technology (IT) professionals to share their knowledge, experiences and best practices, CyberHawaii identified cyber security vulnerabilities and risks, explaining what to do and who can help.
“It is important to know how to develop and implement IT protocols for your company,” said Jennifer Sabas from CyberHawaii. “Our workshop teaches to reduce and mitigate cyber threats, and establish a practical response plan for cyber incidents.”
CyberHawaii is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing Hawaii’s cyber security capabilities. The organization is working to build a community that manages cyber risk through various methods, including the sharing of information in a secure enclave via the Homeland Security Information Network, a threat-awareness platform, and encouraging cyber-hygiene best practices.
Kolton Krug, CyberHawaii intern, said, “ It is important to create a cyber risk defense strategy and tactical plan. Cyber threats increase by the day. We discussed cyber insurance and the importance of having a cyber security program to protect sensitive data.”
Sylvester Libed, Community Clinic of Maui, noted, “Companies can get fined if data is breached, so we take it seriously. Technology is evolving. We need to be aware of how to protect the network, and what to do immediately if a breach happens. A speaker from the FBI told us to report the incident immediately to authorities and engage a forensic IT expert if necessary.”
Cassie Coffin, Maui Aids Foundation Assistant Director, added, “First and foremost, we want to protect our clients’ safety and privacy. We learned about the top four cyber issues: Weak passwords, vulnerabilities in the software, phishing email, and USB devices, and how to create a plan with policies and employee readiness to mitigate cyber threats with a practical response plan.” For more information, contact CyberHawaii at www.cyberhawaii.org or www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/honolulu.
In May 2019 The Defensive Cyber Industry Consortium met with Governor Ige to develop the next steps to enhance the security of our critical infrastructure in Hawaii. This initiative is important to our federal and military partners, as well as our state, private sector and broader community.
Jennifer Sabas, CyberHawaii
Nov 13, 2019 | Education, Innovation
Molokai STEMworks™ teacher, Kumu ‘Iolani Kuoha, and her students, ‘Ohi’aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, 8th grade, Ka’ulalani Puaa, 7th grade, and Ciera-lee Ka’apuwaihiwalani Davis, 7th grade, from ‘O Hina I ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Molokai Middle School, were among 150 middle and high school students and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educators welcomed at the 2019 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS). The conference and the Space Exploration Student Session, presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), thrilled the Molokai girls who got to meet astronaut Dr. Edward Lu and visit the numerous exhibit booths for hands-on STEM activities.
“I can feel the energy in my students, they are so excited to be here!” said Kuoha. “They are learning so much from the exhibits that they will share with their classmates on Molokai. This is great exposure, especially for the girls who never heard about all the exhibitors here at AMOS. The students have a science fair coming soon, so the hands-on STEM activities are giving them many ideas.”
“I love science and space!” exclaimed Tangonan. “This event has taught me many things about the universe. It was exciting to meet astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and learn about the education needed to become an astronaut and what he did on the International Space Station. Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world for good.”
Puaa noted, “At the Analytical Graphics Inc exhibit the engineers showed us how space debris can cause damage to satellites that cost millions of dollars, as well as interfere with things we use every day like the internet, banking, cell phones, and more. It’s fascinating!”
Davis added, “My favorite exhibit was the thermal infrared imaging exhibit at Lockheed Martin. We experimented with a camera to learn how heat transfer works. The visual impact was huge and fun. We saw how the change of energy is indicated by an increased temperature. It is a privilege to come to AMOS and see people from all nations working together to keep space clean and safe for all of us.”
Today is a rare experience! I’m so honored to meet former astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and all the industry professionals who made me aware of a whole new world of space exploration that I want to learn about. Thank you MEDB!
Ka’ulalani Puaa, 7th grade, ‘O Hina I ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, Molokai Middle School
Nov 6, 2019 | Education, Events
This past summer, three Maui High School students, Jazmyne Viloria, Cailyn Omuro, and Faith Soliven were chosen from over 100 applicants to attend a week-long immersive, real-world journalism experience with the PBS NewsHour in Washington DC. They were among youth journalists from 14 states who attended the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ (SRL) fifth annual Academy.
“It was an amazing experience in broadcasting,” said SRL mentor, chaperone and previous teacher of the girls, Jennifer Suzuki, Maui Waena STEMworks™ advisor. “The students worked alongside journalism educators and public media mentors to produce original youth-driven digital content while honing their journalism and production skills through a series of specialized workshops.”
In partnership with the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the stories produced by the SRL group were showcased at a special screening at the Newseum. “These students learn how to create, collaborate and find their voice by producing, writing, and editing a story in a matter of days,” said Elis Estrada, director of SRL. “Their worlds open up when they arrive in DC and by the end of the academy, they realize that they’ve found other teenagers who are passionate about video storytelling, as well as the motivation to teach what they learned to their peers in the new school year.”
Viloria from Maui High reflected, “Storytelling gives me more than just a creative outlet. Capturing the moments and creating the story gives me a new passion, perspective, and peregrination. Youth media is the answer to showing the world what us kids are capable of.”
Soliven added, “I get a rewarding feeling when I can give someone a voice by sharing their story. To create change in our communities and in the world, I am inspired to dive deep into both sides of sources to find truth with integrity. It is important that a voice is given to our youth.”
Omuro agreed, “I’ve met so many amazing people and learned so much through storytelling. By helping the next generation get into media we are creating the future in a way that can help everyone. Youth media can change the world!”
The girls worked in groups with students from across the nation to create stories on youth in DC. They are learning how to fill a critical gap, providing coverage and insights on issues affecting their generation.
Jennifer Suzuki, PBS SRL chaperone, teacher and mentor, Maui Waena Intermediate School STEMworks™ advisor
Oct 30, 2019 | Innovation
Maui County’s largest products show, the annual Made in Maui County Festival (MIMCF), returns on November 1-2, 2019 to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Now in its sixth year, this popular event features over 140 vendors presenting a wide variety of locally made products including foods, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, furniture, gifts, collectibles and more.
“Attracting thousands of visitors and residents while showcasing the island’s entrepreneurial spirit, MIMCF has become a venue for local companies to take their business to the next level,” said Gerry Smith, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) Director of Business Development. “MIMCF will be the first major, as well as the returning show for many businesses that MEDB’s Innovation Series has fostered. It is incredibly rewarding for us at MEDB to see all the workshops, boot camps, and Startup Weekends actually paying off. MEDB regularly collaborates with local organizations focused on economic development. We all have the same goal in mind− the success and growth of small businesses on Maui.”
Ian Elumba, Kohola Brewery co-founder and owner, said, “A few years back, I attended MEDB workshops to learn more about how much it cost to make a keg and case of beer. Gerry helped me calculate cost of goods, budgets, break-even points, and more. These were things I thought I already knew, but I was wrong. Last year, we started canning and I reached out to Gerry at MEDB again because Kohola couldn’t keep up with the demand. We kept running out of beer and we needed to grow and expand. Just recently, Kohola Brewery took home six medals at the 2019 Hawaii Craft Beer Awards competition.”
Smith added, “MEDB has worked with Elumba for a couple of years. We first met when he attended our ‘Pinching Pennies’ workshop. Now he is taking advantage of MEDB’s Maui Business Connect program—a pilot program for small business training, mentoring and networking funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. It is so rewarding to see a business grow and utilize so many of MEDB’s business assistance programs.”
We are proud of our brews and our staff for their dedication and hard work. It is no secret that the success of making good beer relies on our team. Please stop by Kohola Brewery at the MIMCF, talk story, and have a beer!
Ian Elumba, Kohola Brewery co-founder and owner
Oct 23, 2019 | Innovation, Stemworks
The 2nd annual EMER-GEN™ program, which preceded the 2019 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS), is a joint initiative of the AMOS Conference and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), for those age 18 to 35 who are enthusiastic about space careers.
In 2018, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) created the two-day program with the help of advisors from industry, government, academia and several nonprofits. EMER-GEN™ offers mentoring with renowned space specialists drawn from an array of fields related to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM). Networking with industry peers, this year’s participants joined in skill-building sessions and a short course to enhance their success in a global space environment.
“SGAC has 13,000 members from more than 150 countries,” said Victoria Carter-Cortez, SGAC representative and EMER-GEN™ participant. “Forty-one EMER-GEN™ delegates came together to share their thoughts and experiences in the space industry. We learned a lot about leadership and cultural awareness as well as technical issues that will help us go forward in our careers. It was an enriching experience!”
Secure World Foundation’s Washington D.C. Office Director and EMER-GEN™ mentor Victoria Samson said, “One of the highlights of the program is how participants are making real- life issues relevant and applying them to the current use of space. Discussing obligations at a national level, then going a step further with global discussions about what other countries are doing, was a critical-thinking exercise for a shared approach towards international cooperation.”
EMER-GEN™ participant Jamil E. Castillo, Policy Research Fellow at the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, Washington D.C., explained, “One activity consisted in building consensus for space sustainability according to the United Nations Outer Space Treaty Guideline B.3− promoting collection, sharing and dissemination of space debris monitoring information. We were assigned countries to represent within different sectors such as industry, academia, civil and military space. Then, we met with like-sector representatives from other countries to develop international consensus on the guideline. The delegates came to understand how nations reach agreements, and learned about the objectives of each sector.”
This is my second year as an EMER-GEN™ participant. The conference offers a big picture in a dynamic and inspiring space-industry environment. Thanks MEDB, for bringing numerous educational opportunities to Maui!
Diana Agdeppa, Boeing Corporation, Maui
Oct 16, 2019 | Events
As a global leader in Alzheimer’s research, the Alzheimer’s Association® leads through innovation, bringing together government, industry, and academia to advance global collaboration of researchers. Together, they work on causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In Hawaii, the Alzheimer’s Association® Aloha Chapter mission is to provide care and support for everyone affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Alzheimer’s, the sixth most prevalent disease in the United States, takes more lives than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
“On Maui, we have unique challenges and limited resources,” said Christine Spencer, Regional Coordinator, Maui County. “The average cost to take care of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease is over 150,000 dollars a year. This, compounded with Maui’s high cost of living and lack of affordable housing, puts families on the island in really tough situations.”
The Alzheimer’s Association® strives to offer support services to families around the clock, with a 24/7 hotline for crisis or questions. This can be done by telephone or in-person by scheduling an appointment. They offer free care consultations that assist in planning for and coping with the disease, as well as professional trainings. Year-round educational classes are offered in topics ranging from legal and financial planning to understanding dementia-related behaviors.
“It is important that caregivers know that they are not alone,” Spencer said. “There are 65,000 people in Hawaii who are caregivers, an unpaid job that could be considered one of the most difficult jobs out there. We encourage people to join one of our support groups or classes. We all have so much to learn from each other when it comes to fighting this disease— leading the way to Alzheimer’s first survivors.”
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday October 26th, 2019, at the Boys and Girls Club in Kahului. “It is a special event that recognizes people who have the disease, loved ones lost to the disease, and the thousands of caregivers in the community,” said Spencer. “We believe that, together, we can fight Alzheimer’s and find a cure!”
We have an incredibly generous community on Maui. With their support, and with the funds we raise at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, we are expanding our efforts to unreached communities in Molokai and Hana. For more information contact: Christine Spencer at 808-591-2771 ext. 8235 or go to www.alz.org/hawaii.
Christine Spencer, Alzheimer’s Association® Regional Coordinator, Maui County
Oct 9, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) brought together a record-breaking 919 participants from 18 countries, the largest in its history. The premier technical conference in the nation devoted to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM), AMOS included a cross-section of private sector, government, and academic participation addressing the full spectrum of economic and technical aspects of space security and space policy from a global perspective.
“Discussions included views on effective international cooperation in space and the long-term sustainability of the space environment,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “With the advent of mega constellations, active spacecraft and inactive objects in orbit, the total number of space objects is likely to double within the next decade. This will increase the probability of collisions, making normal daily life vulnerable to any disruption in the functioning of satellites.”
Held at the Wailea Beach Resort-Marriott, Maui, the conference attracted nearly 200 technical papers. Selected papers will be published in the American Astronautical Society’s Journal of Astronautical Sciences. In addition to the technical sessions, the AMOS Conference included keynote speakers, policy forums, exhibit and poster sessions, technical short courses, networking events, and best paper and best student awards.
Kevin O’ Connell, Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce, explained in his keynote, “Improving SSA and STM is one of the essential enablers of a rapidly growing commercial space economy. The Commerce Department plays a role in the international cooperation efforts, working to ensure that the global market for satellite survey and communication services remains open and fair to all countries.”
Preceding the AMOS Conference, the 2nd Annual EMER-GEN program for young professionals (age 35 and under) studied real problems in space with the world’s best mentors through team-based cultural and leadership activities. “Multiple teams, multiple agendas, multilateral diplomatic relations, all funneled into a SSA presentation to see which teams succeeded in properly managing their space program,” said Dylan Schwarzmeier, Pacific Defense Solutions. “This was an unimaginably fun bootcamp for critical thinking.”
The AMOS Conference welcomed 150 Maui County middle and high school students and educators to meet astronaut Dr. Ed Lu and visit exhibit booths for hands-on science activities.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
