Jan 30, 2019 | Community
The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center recently hosted a book-signing and talk by “The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage” photographer Shane Sato. Over 18 years in the making, Sato’s coffee-table book is the second in a collection of poignant images of the Nisei (Japanese descent born in the United States) who fought for America in WWII. The 184-page, hardcover volume contains pictures of over 80 Japanese-American WWII veterans, and artistically captures, in a way not many have seen, the wide range of emotions Japanese-Americans felt after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story of the Nisei is inspiring, and each portrait is accompanied by candid photos and a short story.
“It was a privilege to talk story with numerous Nisei veterans,” said Sato. “My hope is to share the lives of the Nisei with future generations, so their accomplishments and history are not forgotten. While they were most recognized for their achievements during wartime, they did not let WWII define their entire lives. Once home, the veterans continued to work for the betterment of the Maui community, establishing a legacy of civilian service.
In 2018, Nisei marked the 75th anniversary of the loyalty, courage and sacrifice of WWII’s 442nd and the 100th Infantry Battalion. The two units merged and formed a single infantry regiment. Together, they became the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in the history of the United States Army, demonstrating the importance of working together and depending on each other.
During his presentation, Sato discussed the creation of the book, his ties to the Nisei community, and stories shared by the veterans during the photography sessions. “Having Sansei and Nisei parents, one from Hawaii and the other from the U.S. mainland, has given me a unique perspective for my Japanese-American book series,” Sato said. “During WWII the Nisei soldiers inspired America and showed the world what it meant to ‘go for broke’. Then, they continued to lead in the community with the strength of their character and the integrity of their actions. Theirs is a triumphant story in American history!”
It is my turn to carry the torch by retelling the Nisei stories for the next generation to know about their heroes. My book inspires and energizes readers to begin their own journeys of discovery, to find the heroes within themselves.
Shane Sato, Author and Photographer
Jan 23, 2019 | Community
In 2014, Maui musician Irene Ryding graduated from the International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP). She took up the harp in 1998 after a series of surgeries to correct a congenital disorder in her spine. “Hearing about harp therapy, I was determined to learn more as a part of my rehabilitation,” Ryding said. “Then, awed by the personal benefits I received from the harp’s soothing timbre and spiritual associations, I felt called to share my discovery with others.”
Ryding moved to Maui in 2003 and immediately began playing harp professionally for weddings and other events. She is a Certified Harp Therapy Practitioner from the IHTP program credentialed by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians. Although she continues to play the harp publicly, she also volunteers in the Harps for Hospice program.
“Playing music in hospital and hospices is much more than entertainment and playing songs,” Ryding explained. “Research has shown that harp music reduces blood pressure and heart rate and that there are many subtleties with matching breathing tempos, moods, and ‘resonant tones’ that feel right or good to us. It can decrease pain by elevating endorphin levels, promoting relaxation, calm, and comfort.”
Therapeutic harpists use what they call ‘inclusive attention’, in which they tune into a person and look for clues such as eye movement, changes in muscle tension, or speech to find the resonant tone for the client. “We tune into people’s breathing, their mood and their surroundings to develop something that is really personal,” Ryding noted. “By watching someone’s breathing pattern, the practitioner can match it with a rhythmic meter, 2/4, 4/4, or 6/8. For example, playing along with the breathing rhythm helps to regulate it to a more desirable rate, affecting the well-being of the patient.”
Ryding concluded, “I want to study more about harp therapy because I believe it’s time to pay forward to others in need for all the wonderful opportunities and benefits that I have enjoyed through a lifetime of music.”
For information about weddings, harp lessons, and other special events visit: www.mauiharper.com.
The harp is specifically effective in therapeutic settings because it is the most resonant of all instruments. The plucked strings vibrate freely, which creates a unique series of overtones.
Irene Ryding, Harp Therapy Practitioner
Jan 16, 2019 | Innovation
A recent grantee of Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Ke Alahele Education Fund, Maui County 4-H Leaders Organization, provided a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workshop for 4-H youth members using a hands-on learning approach.
“In partnership with Maui Makers, the two activities within the workshop used inquiry-based learning to engage the youth by incorporating STEM components such as aerodynamics, electricity, and engineering design,” explained Wendy Taomoto, 4-H club leader. “Additionally, invited professionals in the STEM field presented a discussion on career options and opportunities for our youth.”
Experts from the Maui Makerspace program acted as content specialists and presenters for the two experiments. “The Maui County 4-H program has worked with us in the past on an earlier project that introduced youth to the makerspace format and focused on skill building such as soldering and construction,” said Laura Ulibarri from Maui Makers. “Today’s event consisted of building and launching rockets and hands-on experiments with electricity.”
The paper rocket activity began with a brief introduction to the principles of aerodynamics. Participants used a basic design template for building paper rockets and then launched the rockets for testing, thereby gaining immediate feedback on how design modifications affect the height of their rocket flight. “Launching was fun,” said Kaitlin, an 8th grader from Kalama Intermediate School. “We were challenged to do something we didn’t think we could do.”
The electrical conductivity experiment started with a brief introduction to the principles of electric current. Sophia, a Maui Waena Intermediate School 8th grader explained, “We built and tested electrical meters that allowed us to determine which materials conduct electricity. By measuring how well different materials behave, we started to notice patterns in what acts as a conductor and how electricity flows from one thing to another.”
Nancy Ooki, University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Educator for 4-H and Youth Development, concluded, “Our relationship with MEDB and Women in Technology has allowed us to offer STEM programs for more than a decade. We look forward to many more of these events in the future.”
We thank MEDB’s Ke Alahele Education Fund for their grant and Maui Makers for providing STEM opportunities to our Maui County 4-H members. These events assist them in developing life skills needed to become contributing members of the community.
Wendy Taomoto, 4-H Club Leader
Jan 9, 2019 | Education, Stemworks
Growing up in Hawaii, Robert Kalei Miller, a geospatial information analyst at the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) in Kihei, was always interested in learning about geography and technology. His goal was to obtain a college degree in geospatial technologies with the hope of working on Maui, where he grew up. At King Kekaulike High School, under the guidance of Mrs. Emily Haines-Swatek, Miller joined Project EAST−now called STEMworks™, a program of Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project.
“STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) gave me the opportunity to gain exposure in my interested career field,” said Miller. “For three consecutive summers, I was fortunate to work as a STEMworks™ Intern for the PDC, where I developed work skills and professional relationships. I learned more about geographic information systems and I discovered that I could turn my personal interest in geography into a real career.”
After graduating in 2013 from Portland State University in Oregon, Miller was offered a full-time position at PDC as a Geospatial Information Analyst. His job directly supports disaster efforts locally and internationally, and is a dream come true for him.
“Through MEDB’s STEM programs my career goals and dreams turned into reality,” Miller said. “MEDB’s educational programs provided me with an opportunity that many local youth continue to benefit from today. It is an honor to continue to work with MEDB and be one of the first recipients of the Jeanne Unemori Skog Leader & Entrepreneur (JUS) Fund. The Fund supports the next generation of visionaries through innovative programs, projects and other initiatives that develop future leaders and entrepreneurs to benefit the people of Maui County”
Miller’s JUS award allowed him to attend the two-day EMER-GEN Conference for young professionals, aged 35 and under, in the space industry. “This was a great opportunity to learn from renowned space specialists, network with industry peers, and learn professional skills,” he said. “The knowledge and experiences I gained from EMER-GEN will help me with my continued career growth.”
MEDB is committed to helping young professionals and students of all ages to achieve their dreams. They are a blessing to Maui County!
Robert Kalei Miller, Geospatial Information Analyst, Pacific Disaster Center
Jan 2, 2019 | Events
Akaku Maui Community Media presented its 5th Maui Walk of Heroes with a ‘Hands and Feet in Cement Ceremony’ honoring this year’s special guests, Former Maui County Councilwoman Chair Gladys Baisa; former Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) CEO and president Jeanne Skog; and Uncle Les Kuloloio, defender of Makena and treasured kupuna.
In the most outstanding outdoor party of the year, three of Maui Nui’s favorite heroes were proudly enshrined alongside previous inductees. “We are honored to enshrine the handprints and footprints of these Maui Nui true heroes in cement,” said Jay April, CEO and president of Akaku. “The positive influences that Gladys, Jeanne and Uncle Les have had on keeping Maui No Ka Oi is immeasurable. It is hard to imagine life on Maui without their amazing contributions to our common good.”
Baisa said, “I’m honored to be a hero at Akaku. I’ve always liked to bring people together to focus on a goal. I’m Ms. Fix It! If there’s a community problem, I’ll find a way to get involved because that’s what aloha is all about. If you want to do it well, you must commit your life to the job. My advice to the youth of today is to focus on appreciation. Be kind and do what’s right.”
Skog added, “I too am humbled to be honored by Akaku. For 33 years I was inspired by MEDB’s mission to solve problems in the community by building a stronger economy for a better quality of life in Maui County. I had a lot of support at MEDB where everyone works together. I’m now volunteering in the community and consulting—my way to ‘Pay it Forward.’ My advice for today’s youth is, ‘Be Fearless!’”
Also honored to be at Akaku, Uncle Les concluded, “For me it’s all about family and community, protecting sacred places, and how we all fit together. Live the true meaning of ‘aloha’ and be a true keeper of the culture, with a deep sense of kuleana. Our youth need to overcome obstacles, stand firm, and love one another.”
It was wonderful to be part of MEDB’s vision to lead and inspire innovation in business, education, and technology, helping to lead the community toward building a vibrant economy. What a joy to be honored at Akaku with Gladys and Uncle Les!
Jeanne Skog, MEDB Former CEO & President
Dec 26, 2018 | Community
The New Year can be a time for reflection as well as a time for looking ahead to what will come, and what good fortunes the future can bring. As you reflect on 2018, you may look back at the highlights and feel appreciation for having those experiences. You can look at the challenges you faced and how you came through them – what were the lessons learned that you help make you and your new year better and even brighter.
The New Year is often a time for resolutions and here are ten suggestions for a stronger and healthier 2019.
- Sleep more – get those eight hours for better mental health.
- Pick up crafting or some other hobby – learn to knit, a new language or join an improv acting group to have some fun.
- Plan mini-vacays – don’t wait for your vacation to get away. Go camping or hop to another island.
- Walk more – take a break at work and walk around the block. Get your colleagues in on the act.
- Pay it Forward (Share the Aloha) – how can you pass on the help you’ve received in the past?
- Volunteer – Research shows volunteering can improve your health. There are lots of non-profits on Maui looking for your help.
- Learn new recipes – get out of a diet rut and introduce new recipes to your cooking repertoire.
- Smile at a stranger – make someone’s day and share your smile.
- Call your family more often – especially if they are not in Hawaii. Connect with loved ones.
- Be more positive – reduce complaining, and see the good in self, others and in the challenges you face.
There are countless more ways to resolve to make 2019 a remarkable one for you and those around you. Set yourself to succeed by being realistic and avoiding the all-or-nothing resolution. As you progress through the year, if you slip up on a resolution, don’t let that be the end of your resolve. To err is human, so give yourself a little slack, and just get back to your new habit.
As the New Year approaches, Maui Economic Development Board Staff would like to be among the first to wish you “Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou.” Happy New Year!
Dec 19, 2018 | Community
Paula Baldwin is the new president of A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW), the community care-van outreach program on Maui− distributing food, hygiene items and clothing to the needy in the community. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has grown from its Episcopal Church inception to include numerous volunteers, churches, and organizations from around the island.
Baldwin took over the position as ACCW president from its founder, retired deputy police chief Keku Akana. “Baldwin is doing a fantastic job!” said Akana. “Becoming the president of an all-volunteer homeless outreach ministry with more than 70 volunteers and plenty of moving parts is no easy feat. Under Baldwin’s leadership the ACCW group, and other wonderful volunteers, have realized all-around better communications. We launched the ACCW e-newsletter, organized a hard-copy filing system to include operational and administrative forms, ensured regular and timely board meetings, and created open communications and bridging between the various units of ACCW, including run leaders, ride volunteers, supply team, and support staff. But most of all, Baldwin works and weaves her way through many of the subtle and behind-the-scenes challenges that an outreach such as ours encounters as we deal with day-to-day operations. She keeps things within the realm of simplicity, safety, and specificity, keeping it focused on the chronic street poor as we serve on the streets of Maui.”
Akana added, “Baldwin is a visible miracle, a woman of great strength, grit, and tenacity. She answered a call at a time in life when most women, or men, are content with a slow pace, a ‘me’ calendar, and an ‘I’ lifestyle.” Agreeing, ACCW volunteer Jean Fiddes said, “I want to thank Baldwin for saying ‘Yes’ to this earnest work, and for her heartfelt service.”
Baldwin said, “It gives me joy to use my organizational skills, to join committed friends, and watch ACCW continue to grow as a life-giving project. Life-giving for those we serve, and life-giving for us. We are all one community, serving and being served. I have always found that helping those in need brings more happiness to our own lives.”
The standard that ACCW set is to share resources with the approximately 750 in-need community members a month, with gratitude and service from the heart.
Paula Baldwin, ACCW President
Dec 12, 2018 | Community
Lahaina resident Chutima Intarapanich, a cartoonist, comic artist, graphic novel artist, colorist, inker, illustrator, storyboard artist, and graphic designer, came to Maui for her master’s thesis in 2016. She undertook a project illustrating the background for a collection of paintings for the Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s (LRF) newly expanded Plantation Museum in Lahaina’s Wharf Cinema Center. The LRF restores and protects Lahaina’s historical legacies, celebrates its prominent place in Hawaii’s history and cultural traditions, and shares its story through preservation of significant sites, buildings, and artifacts.
Intarapanich, who received her Master of Fine Art in Graphic Novel Illustration in 2017 from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco said, “Research was very important in this Plantation Museum project. It is also important for creating truly original artworks. My art project consisted of creating a combination of six individual illustrations, showing the immigrants from six nations that moved to Hawaii: Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Puerto Ricans, Koreans, and Filipinos. The story is shown in six boards combined into one illustration, each board the story of one nation, its culture and its history.”
Clothes were a very big hint about the origins of people from Asia. Intarapanich had to research costume design based on what people working at the plantations in those days would be wearing.
In that time, people from a common geographic origin wore similar clothes, so she designed a combination of national costumes with influences from western culture.
“I measured the size of paper to plan how to draw the characters,” she explained. “After that I drafted the outline with curvilinear perspective to get the feeling of more space between them to highlight details of their lives in Hawaii. My art supplies consisted of sepia ink and fountain pen for inking the outlines, and sepia water color with brush and an old sponge for rendering, adding color, shading, and texture. Once my research and outlines for the six illustrations were completed, I finished the inking and painting. This LRF project was an extraordinary and educational experience.”
My art project at LRF illustrated and preserved art representing Lahaina’s different cultures, past and present.
Chutima Intarapanich, Maui artist
Dec 5, 2018 | Community
In December, Santa and his wife have a hectic schedule. Maui residents John and Lori Hughes, portraying Santa and Mrs. Claus, have been working for many years, directly under instructions from the North Pole. John Hughes, born and raised on Oahu, used to make appearances as Santa in the Kaneohe Christmas Parade. After moving to Maui in the late 90s, his Santa side awaited the right opportunity to continue volunteering. Lori Hughes, born and raised in Lahaina, always found ways to bring Christmas cheer by cookie baking, holiday decorating, even volunteering as a reindeer or elf for children’s events. Lori has contributed to the community for decades, volunteering her time—assisting the Maui Food Bank with distribution drives at Maria Lanakila Church, organizing food drives at her place of employment, reading to children in the Read Aloud America school programs, and much more.
“A few years ago, we decided to combine our volunteer efforts as Santa and Mrs. Claus,” said the Hughes, who now have authentic vintage Christmas outfits. “In collaboration with the Hansen family’s Annual Toy Drive, we made our first appearance benefitting the Friends of Children’s Justice Center. Additionally, we make appearances in the Kahului Library, the Kihei Library, the Maui Police Department’s Annual Children’s Holiday party, and other places in the community. In our Santa and Mrs. Claus personas we donate to the Maui Food Bank, lunch at Zippy’s, fill gas at Costco, pick up Christmas cards at Target, candy canes at Walmart, and visit local coffee shops. It takes people by surprise to see us out in the general public, not hired by the store, and not asking for money. We are simply humbled to have a moment with community members.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus concluded, “The magic we bring during Christmas ignites the spark to a child’s and adult’s imagination long after the holiday is over. It’s these moments of family and togetherness, smiles and laughter, that always live deep in our hearts. Santa and Mrs. Claus remind us to be kind to one another—that’s the most important thing. It’s all about love! Merry Christmas!”
Be sure to visit with us at noon on December 8th at the Kihei Library; on December 9th, 10am-2pm at Maui Makers to make toys and arts and crafts; and on December 23rd at 10am-1pm at the Westin Nanea to meet and take photos. Email mauisantaclaus@yahoo.com for more information.
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Nov 28, 2018 | Community, Small Business
Pamela Norris, a Maui resident and entrepreneur, has participated in numerous High Tech Maui business development programs offered by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). Norris, winner of the Small Business Administration’s 2016 InnovateHer Challenge locally hosted by MEDB, is the creator of ICEBUDDY™ Systems, Inc., a portable cooling system comprised of the QPACK and QOOLER that enables ice, water, medication, and emergency supplies to be stored and easily transported.
“My career has been dedicated to saving lives,” Norris explained. “I spent years as a first responder during natural disasters where I saw people lose their lives due to not having their medicine with them, not having food or water, as well as a lack of medical supplies. Seeing turmoil due to lack of refrigeration catapulted me to create the ICEBUDDY™ Systems to respond to unmet needs, and to save lives by prepositioning emergency preparedness products.”
Norris explained, “The QOOLER utilizes a patented, encased, non-toxic gel, which is capable of keeping its contents cold at the 36-46-degree range for 72 hours. That is three days of cooling capability without the use of ice or gel packs, that would otherwise melt and sweat on whatever is stored.”
The QPACK module is an innovative, modernized backpack meeting military specifications. Its unique flexibility enables carrying whatever is available, be it 120 ounces of water, a 10-pound bag of ice or a dozen 16-ounce water bottles. The built-in bladder and spigot allow access to water critical for life itself and necessary for taking most medications. It can be carried as a backpack, but it also fits on wheelchairs and walkers for the elderly and disabled. Rescue crews can airdrop medical supplies in difficult to reach terrain.
“Recently, the African American Heritage Foundation of Maui has collaborated with ICEBUDDY™ to provide free QOOLERs and QPACKs to needy citizens in Hawaii,” Norris noted. “They are seeking tax deductible contributions that will be used for this humanitarian purpose. We at ICEBUDDY™ Systems desire to make this revolutionary product available globally, particularly to vulnerable populations living on islands.” Visit www.icebuddy.net for information.
MEDB’s High Tech Maui business programs are focused on helping local entrepreneurs gain the needed edge and skills to succeed.
Pamela Norris, Founder, ICEBUDDY™ Systems
