Oct 2, 2019 | Community
Keola and Moana Beamer, Hawaii’s First Music Couple, tour the world to present their unique vision of Hawaii’s cultural arts and to share aloha. Keola, a master musician and slack key artist, who earned a place on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums Chart, and Moana, renowned for her mastery of authentic hula dancing, bring life to the natural beauty and cultural awareness that makes Hawaii uniquely appealing.
“Since my husband and I began touring together, the value of connecting with different communities has been quite apparent to us,” said Moana. “Over time, it seems our work has opened numerous paths for sharing aloha around the world.”
Moana reflected, “One such path began as an opportunity to meet and work with Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Dr. Tom Vendetti on a film project called ‘The Quietest Place’. We hit it off and from there followed an invitation to participate in a film festival Vendetti had begun in Cambodia, where a large group of enthusiastic children prepared a hula performance to welcome us.”
“Keola wondered aloud what these children might also accomplish with a ukulele in their hands,” said Moana. “The instrument that many of us here in Hawaii have been blessed to grow up with—four strings, simple, portable, historically well-traveled, versatile. Perfect!”
The following year, the hotel that sponsored the Angkor Wat Film Festival had generously agreed to host the Beamer’s Ukulele Education Project, providing space for classes and meals for the children. Bringing teachers from their Aloha Music Camp, the Beamers’ taught 40 poverty-stricken children living in Cambodia how to play the ‘ukulele. The children are now performing concerts in Siem Reap. The Beamers’ hope to continue this effort, sharing the aloha spirit in Myanmar, as well as other places around the world.
“I am sure there can be no better outcome for those individuals who helped make it all possible,” Moana said. “But, best of all, for the children whose lives we were privileged to touch for a brief moment in time. It was one of those experiences that enlighten our sensibilities for a long time to come.”
Aloha Music Camp, a week-long immersion into the music, dance, and culture of Hawaii, provides ukuleles, and more, to persons who want to immerse themselves in island culture at the camp. For more camp information visit www.mohalahou.org and www.alohamusiccamp.com.
Moana Beamer
Sep 25, 2019 | Environment, Sustainability
Maui Electric Company has informed the Public Utilities Commission of its intent to move forward with the ownership and operation of four electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging sites in the existing EVohana network on Maui. The EVohana sites, temporarily owned and operated by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), were initially established as part of the JUMPSmartMaui demonstration project, a cooperative venture between Japan, the State of Hawaii, County of Maui, MEDB, Hitachi and Maui Electric. Operating from 2011 to 2017, it demonstrated smart-grid technologies that could enable the efficient use of renewable energy on an island grid.
“MEDB, as a nonprofit organization, took on temporary ownership and operation of the EV charging infrastructure in an effort to keep the network in place,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO. “We appreciate Maui Electric for stepping up to ensure our island continues to have access to reliable public fast-charging options for EV drivers. Without Maui Electric taking on some of these sites, the entire EVohana charging network would have been retired earlier this year.”
At the conclusion of the JUMPSmartMaui project, ownership of the charging assets were transferred to MEDB until a permanent owner and operator of the sites could be confirmed. MEDB partnered with Hitachi to create a new, temporary program called EVohana, which ended March 31, 2019.
Covering the Central, South, West and Upcountry Maui areas, the sites, allowing more EV types to charge, are located at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center, Lahaina Aquatic Center, and Pukalani Terrace. EV drivers will be able to “pay-as-you-go” with multiple ways to initiate charging sessions, from smartphone apps to credit cards. Rates will be as low as 0.28 cents per kilowatt-hour between 9am and 5pm.
“As we work to add more clean energy to power our islands, EVs can play an important role in further reducing our dependency on fossil fuel and protecting our environment,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui Electric. “We are pleased to add our support by taking on the four sites with lower charging rates that encourage plugging in when we have a lot of solar energy on the electrical system.”
This October, Maui Electric, along with Hawaiian Electric and Hawaii Electric Light, will be proposing a comprehensive electrification-of-transportation workplan that further details the companies’ expanded role in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure for Maui County, Oahu and Hawaii Island.
Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric, President
Sep 18, 2019 | Innovation
The 2019 Daniel K. Inouye Innovation (DKII) Award was presented to the Baldwin High School Team during Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction. The award, named in memory of the late senator, is the highest student honor that MEDB bestows. It recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate the most innovative use of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to serve and improve the community. The award recipients, Cameron Loewen, Kalila Phillips, Victoria Teoh, Brandon Wong, and Trisha Roy, Baldwin High School STEMworks™ advisor, each won $ 2,000 for creating a product to stimulate coral regrowth− mitigating the effects of coral bleaching.
“Our project is about coral and the detrimental effects of coral bleaching,” the students explained. “We focused on the coral species Pocillopora Eydouxi, a fragile, near-endangered branching coral. Our purpose was to create a strong base for the coral by cutting and gluing small pieces of it onto concrete. Then, when we planted it in the nursery, it had a strong enough base for the coral pieces to merge and grow together faster.”
On average, coral grows up to only five centimeters a year, which is why the team designed a mold and concrete model in a shape that would support their chosen species. By cutting the coral and planting it in a controlled nursery, it grew centimeters within a couple months.
“We started researching and brainstorming many possible ideas,” they said. “We knew we needed a strong base and wanted four arms as the starter branches. This way the branches would never tangle as it was forced to grow outwards. We were able to manipulate the coral over the concrete model, nursing them until they were strong enough to merge and live in the ocean.”
The students concluded, “Our project matters to the community because we can promote faster coral growth and awareness about global warming and coral bleaching. We were able to provide a possible solution to an irreversible situation, and are still working on the project. We are honored to win the 2019 DKII Award!”
As a STEMworks™ teacher, I am so grateful our students are exposed to emerging STEM careers and tools provided to us by MEDB’s STEMworks™. MEDB enables us to prepare students for future careers.
Trisha Roy, Baldwin High School STEMworks™ advisor
Sep 11, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) held their annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, Pathways to Our Future, on Labor Day at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui. “MEDB nurtures Maui County students’ passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “From offering our original STEMworks™ service-learning initiatives, to providing needed training, internships, and resources to empower a new generation of leaders and innovators, MEDB is dedicated to creating meaningful pathways to benefit the lives of residents today and tomorrow.”
Over 500 guests attended the event that included Apples for Education Silent and Live Auctions; The Price Is Right (STEM edition game); and memorable presentations by Maui County’s STEM students, teachers, and stakeholders. Winners of two prestigious 2019 STEM awards were also announced. The Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award (DKII) recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated the most innovative use of STEM tools and programs to serve and improve the community. The Czechowicz Award recognizes exceptional educators in Maui Nui.
Recipients of the Czechowicz Award, and $5,000 each, went to Elizabeth Conroy-Humphrey of Lanai High & Elementary School, Jennifer Suzuki of Maui Waena Intermediate School, and David Kawika Gonzales of Kaunakakai Elementary School for their dedication to the teaching profession.
Wilkins noted, “The DKII is the highest student honor that MEDB bestows. Named in memory of the late Senator, who anchored this MEDB Ke Alahele event for many years and was our foundation for supporting STEM education, this annual award is presented to a Maui County student project team that demonstrates the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community.”
The 2019 DKII went to the Baldwin High School team: Cameron Loewen, Kalila Phillips, Victoria Teoh, and Brandon Wong. Each of the four students and their teacher Trisha Roy received $2,000 for creating a product to help stimulate coral regrowth and mitigate the effects of coral bleaching.
Roy said, “As a STEMworks™ teacher, I am so grateful to MEDB for providing our students with tools to prepare them for future STEM careers.”
Proceeds raised will help to advance MEDB’s STEM education programs from kindergarten to careers and enable MEDB to continue to pursue meaningful pathways that benefit the lives of residents in Maui County and statewide.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB, President & CEO
Sep 4, 2019 | Community
On Maui since 1972, Mental Health America (MHA) of Hawaii has been a leading mental health education and advocacy organization. Dedicated to promoting wellness, MHA’s prevention programs are designed to improve the care and treatment of people living with mental illness and to reduce the stigma of it. “As we look ahead, the Maui office of MHA is gearing up the education side of our agency for a very busy year,” said Danielle Bergan, MHA Maui Community Coordinator. “We hope to expand mental health awareness in schools and community organizations and continue to advocate at the legislature for mental health on behalf of the community.”
Some of the programs available for youth and adults include Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention, to combat bullying and suicide ideation amongst Hawaii’s youth. “It aims to teach youth how to recognize and intervene in a bullying situation and how to use suicide prevention tools,” said Bergan. “We will be conducting several of these two-hour trainings for our Maui intermediate and high schools throughout the year. We can also provide it for agencies that work with youth, including community and church groups.”
Youth Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents. It builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Additionally, there is a Mental Health First Aid program that is geared for adults.
“Especially for adults we offer ‘Live Your Life Well’,” Bergan explained. “This training is a one-hour mental wellness presentation about stress in everyday life and the workplace that includes a clinically tested program of 10 actions that can help to improve mental health. This is a great training for companies and organizations to help their employees better cope with stress.”
Bergan concluded, “We hope raising awareness of the issues and recognizing the signs of mental illness will bring insight to handling its challenges. It is a sign of courage, not weakness, to seek help.”
MHA is offering all their trainings to the community at no cost. Learn how to identify problems, intervene, and get help. For more information call: (808) 242-6461.
Danielle Bergan, MHA Maui Community Coordinator
Aug 21, 2019 | Community
Rachael Ray, a successful Maui artist, was invited for the first time as a guest speaker at Maui Economic Development Board’s 3rd annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC). “I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the HSBC attendees about the importance of service with aloha in our island chain,” Ray said. “For my part, sharing aloha in my business permeates all my relationships and every canvas I paint.”
Ray, a self-taught artist who loves to paint with Rembrandt oils, can often be found talking story with customers and working in U’i, her Kahului Maui art gallery. A graduate of Baldwin High School, Ray remembers her early childhood on Molokai as the beginning of her appreciation for Hawaii’s majestic surroundings. “I find endless inspiration through the vibrant colors and movement in my Hawaiian landscape and from my love and respect for the ‘aina,” she said.
U’i Gallery, Ray’s 1500 square-foot space, offers not only her own artwork. An exclusive selection of hand-made products by other local craftsmen are offered in a price range for everyone. Through her hospitable aloha service and the gallery’s allure, Ray’s customers soon become family.
“I love talking story with our customers and getting to know them,” she explained. “While making a sale is important, even if they don’t purchase the first time, people come back when they are cared for, and the repeat business helps our bottom line year after year. Aloha is communicated. I call it ‘coconut wireless’.”
Ray uses Hawaiian values to support her life and her business. Believing in aloha-motivation over profit, she makes a conscious effort to have gallery visitors leave feeling good and welcomed with aloha. She believes this is a responsibility we each have to become better in our own personal and business relationships.
Ray concluded, “Growing up in Hawaii we were taught to give first and then receive. Aloha builds on itself. It is contagious, with extraordinary results. Aloha is imperative to our mental and physical health, our overall welfare, and to Hawaii’s business vitality. Live Aloha!”
Aloha is everything! Smile from the heart, be genuine, be yourself. Be Aloha!
Rachael Ray, Artist and Owner, U’i Gallery
Aug 14, 2019 | Stemworks
In 1999, following Hurricane Mitch, Maui residents Dan and Charlotte Flavin, now President and Vice-President of Somos Ohana Nicaragua, volunteered to help with reconstruction and medical care in Nicaragua. Since then, they have continued to address urgent needs identified by local partners in the area.
“In 2006 we registered Somos Ohana Nicaragua as a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status to help continue and expand our work,” Charlotte explained. “Our name, Somos Ohana Nicaragua, translated means ‘We are family with Nicaragua’.”
Charlotte continued, “For over 15 years, with our Nicaraguan participants and our generous donors, we have renovated and built schools, and volunteered in the re-construction of homes and medical care. Examples of our work include water systems, physical therapy services, bicycle grants to students with long commutes to high school, transportation for cancer patients to therapy venues, granting of college scholarships to students majoring in education and health services, and holding a summer day camp for special needs youth. We are deeply grateful for all the interest, and kindness of Maui residents who have volunteered and supported our mission. In any country, a good education prepares children for broader choices of employment.”
Somos Ohana Nicaragua board members added their thoughts, “It is important to witness the lives of others less fortunate and to help improve their lives,” said Edith Don. John Powley said, “I volunteer what I learned working with rural communities while in the Peace Corps. This includes providing clean water, healthy animals and drought-resistant crops.”
James Kahler, board secretary and retired physical therapist, continued, “I feel that I have gained more than I’ve given.” Judith Buettner, substitute teacher and board member, agreed, “I see us as planting a seed for change, for the good.”
Board member Mele Stokesberry concluded, “It’s really amazing that we get so much done with each dollar donated. We serve to fulfill basic human rights, in a spirit of compassion and service to humanity. In turn, we receive friendship, and learn from their shared wisdom.”
We are also working with the local Nicaraguan communities by educating for survival during severe drought that is changing lives in rural areas.
Dan and Charlotte Flavin, President & Vice President, Somos Ohana Nicaragua
Aug 7, 2019 | Environment, Events, Sustainability
The first community forum on 100% Renewable Energy: What Will Maui Look Like? took place recently at the Cameron Center in Kahului. Coming on the heels of the 2019 Hawaii Energy Conference and Exhibition, the standing-room only event, presented by Maui Electric Company (MECO) in partnership with Maui Tomorrow and the Sierra Club, outlined the challenges and some solutions for Maui’s renewable future.
“We’ll have different ideas on how to achieve our clean energy future,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawai’i Island Utilities. “Achieving the goal of 100 percent renewables by 2045 requires all of us working together. As Maui Electric starts to put more bids out to procure more renewable energy projects for the island, it will require informed energy developers, available land resources, and ongoing dialogue with our communities, regulators and government leaders.”
Moderator Mahina Martin, Manager, Government and Community Relations at Maui Electric, led the forum featuring the following panelists: Kumu Kapono’ai Molitau, Kumu Hula; Albert Perez, Executive Director, Maui Tomorrow Foundation; Chris Reynolds, System Operations Director, Maui Electric Company; Alex De Roode, Energy Commissioner, County of Maui; Dana Sato, Asset Management Director, Kamehameha Schools; and Rob Weltman, Chairperson, Sierra Club Maui Group.
Weltman said, “Maui can and must be powered by carbon-neutral, local, environmentally friendly technologies, including solar and wind. Contributing to sea level rise and extreme weather events through continued dependence on fossil fuels is not an option for our vulnerable island community.”
Perez described a community solar program. “The project provides solar energy to residential and commercial customers without access to privately-owned rooftop solar, including many renters and apartment dwellers.”
De Roode, on electrification of transportation, said, “Ground transportation today accounts for one quarter of Hawaii’s fossil fuels consumption and over one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. MECO is focused on initiatives to advance the switch from gasoline to electric vehicles, helping to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil.”
Molitau and Sato agreed, “It is our malama ‘aina to care for the land− physically and spiritually. Together, we must understand the need to preserve and protect our natural resources for our future generations.”
As of 2019, private rooftop and utility-scale solar, biofuel and wind resources boosted the amount of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Maui County to 38 percent. We’ve exceeded the state’s goal of 30 percent renewables by 2020, lowered greenhouse gas emissions from our generators, and reduced the amount of oil we used.
Sharon Suzuki, President of Maui County and Hawai’i Island Utilities
Jul 31, 2019 | Education, Innovation
The annual EMER-GEN™ Program, introduced in 2018 as a joint initiative of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), was designed especially for those age 18 to 35 who are enthusiastic about a career in space. Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) created the two-day program with the help of advisors from industry, government, academia and non-governmental organizations. 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 other young leaders, the participants join in professional development and skill building sessions to enhance their success in a global space environment.
“Everything about the first annual EMER-GEN was extraordinary,” said Victoria Samson, Director, Secure World Foundation. “There were new ideas and perspectives on SSA and STM policy and challenges for young professionals and students to grapple with. It forced us all to look at things differently.”
Tom Kubancik, General Manager at L3 Applied Defense Solutions, said, “We are about to enter the commercialization and civil habitation phase of man’s space adventure and our young professionals need to take us there and keep us safe. EMER-GEN will ensure our thoughts and knowledge pass on to the next generation.”
Diana Agdeppa, a young professional working with the telescopes atop Haleakala said about her 2018 experience, “I appreciated the short courses offered at EMER-GEN including “Operational Analytics: Demystifying Machine Learning” and “Observing and Characterizing Space Debris”. After acquiring some general knowledge from both courses, I found how an Artificial Intelligence-based system may play a key role in SSA and STM. Considering the increasing number of spacecraft and satellites being launched into space, and how fast they are moving, it’s becoming more of a priority to predict collisions further in time with accuracy and precision. Additionally, we took part in a session where we assumed the responsibilities of key people involved in space policy which allowed me to see a bigger picture regarding SSA and STM. I’m looking forward to the next EMER-GEN!” The 2nd Annual EMER-GEN™ Program will be held September 15-17, 2019.
MEDB is happy to partner with SGAC to launch EMER-GEN™. This new program is designed to bridge the gap and nurture our young professionals, the future of space innovation and sustainability.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President & CEO
Jul 24, 2019 | Education
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™, in partnership with the University of Hawaii and Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training, presented a series of week-long summer GenCyber camps for students on Maui and statewide. Funding for the camps was provided by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber-attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business practices.
“The GenCyber camp provided cybersecurity basics through interactive, hands-on-activities to expose middle- and high-school students to cybersecurity as an education and career pathway,” said Manda Tong, STEMworks™ Special Projects Coordinator. “Students learned what it means to be good digital citizens making ethical choices in the ever-changing technology world, and how to secure their personal information safely to their internet devices.”
Starting in 2014, the GenCyber program has currently grown to 150 camps nationwide. The NSA is developing curricula and lesson plans to cultivate the next generation of experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Partnering with universities, public and private schools, and nonprofit organizations, they are broadening the pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals who can protect our nation from cyberattacks.
Iokepa Meno, Lokelani Intermediate STEM Teacher and VEX IQ Robotics mentor noted, “This camp showed our students the doorway to a rewarding and vital career for national security here and abroad. The students had the opportunity to meet the NSA Hawaii director and his staff, who explained in great detail how today each person needs to protect themselves against potential online threats. The students were also exposed to soft and hard skills that included programming Raspberry Pi devices, utilizing Micro Bits, and coding Ozobot robots, all while exploring and engaging GenCyber’s Ten Cybersecurity Principles.”
Maui High School senior Maya Hickman concluded, “Learning cybersecurity is important because in a time when internet and computer usage is at an all-time high, so is ignorance of the dangers behind these technologies. GenCyber Camps give students basic safety skills for using computers, help inspire an interest in cybersecurity, and teach STEM as a whole.”
High school and college students can apply for NSA work-study programs and internships at https://www.nsa.gov/resources/students-educators.
Manda Tong, STEMworks™ Special Projects Coordinator
