May 2, 2018 | Education, Innovation
Camry Gach, Seabury Hall 8th grader, is the winner of this year’s 59th Annual Maui County Regional Science & Engineering Fair’s First Place Grand Award – Junior Division; the 2018 Ricoh Sustainable Development Award; the 2018 Broadcom MASTERS; The Best in Energy – Physical Junior Division Award; the Alexander and Baldwin Merit Award – Junior Division; and the Naval Science Award.
“My science fair project, The Effect of Different Lenses and Lights on Solar Power, tested convex, concave, and flat glass at three different heights: 20, 30, and 50 centimeters away from a photovoltaic cell (mini solar panel) to see if they would increase the voltage of the focal point on the cell,” said Gach. “I became interested in this project because I have always been so amazed that energy can be produced from the sun without having to emit a by-product into the air. With such a phenomenal form of sustainable energy, I wanted to contribute to solar panel companies by increasing the voltage that a solar panel produces. I knew that lenses directed light, so I decided to experiment with them to see if that could increase solar voltage. The red light with the convex lens at 30cm from the cell had the highest voltage. The red light mostly had the best results, because it has longer wavelengths than the blue light, which made it travel to the lenses more efficiently.”
Gach’s vision for moving forward with this project is to test a giant convex lens that is bigger than the cell to see if that will increase the output of the whole photovoltaic cell and not just the focal point. “This may increase solar power, because the convex lens will collect light outside the perimeter of the cell and direct that light into the photovoltaic cell,” said Gach, who also would like to continue this experiment by testing with the sun as a light source to represent solar power more realistically. “I feel very excited to continue my project and contribute to solar research.”
I am also interested in testing a Fresnel lens because it uses many lenses and angles to concentrate light.
Camry Gach, Seabury Hall 8th grade
Apr 25, 2018 | Education, Small Business
Small businesses will learn pathways to success at the 2nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC) on May 2-3, 2018 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. The theme of this year’s event, “Plan, Build, Grow: Mapping A Pathway to Success”, provides resources via a network of experts along with hands-on skills necessary for businesses to accelerate growth.
The HSBC coincides with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, celebrating both America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Topics include customer service, business growth and scaling, social media management, innovation, tax strategies and more. Additionally, speed-networking with industry leaders will allow opportunity for questions and answers.
Gwen Woltz, co-founder of Wahine Media, is a leading social media strategist and one of the early voices in the social media revolution in Hawaii. Her keynote “Social Media Reality Check—Gone are the Days of Free” will help attendees envision their perfect world on social media and the most effective route to get there. “Being a small business owner from Hawaii myself, my hope is to inspire other business owners to approach social media with confidence and a plan,” Woltz said. “I think one of the biggest misperceptions about small businesses in Hawaii is that we are limited because we are on an island, or that we can’t compete with mainland businesses. I hope to show attendees that Hawaii small businesses are not limited but are empowered to do things a little differently. Hawaii small businesses have a unique advantage that no other small businesses have: a strong sense of place and community, a perfect formula to thrive on social media.”
Woltz will speak on Day 1 followed by a Panel in which she will lead a discussion with three Maui businesses who are leading the way with social media. On Day 2, she will present a workshop, “Maximizing Your Social Media Budget”.
Participants can attend the all-day conference on Wednesday, May 2 or any of the smaller group workshops on Thursday, May 3, or both. Various sponsorship opportunities are available. For information visit www.hawaiismallbusinessconference.com or call (808) 875-2300.
My social media clients are in a variety of industries. From budget to best practices, I help them embrace new ways to connect with their audience.
Gwen Woltz, Wahine Media
Apr 18, 2018 | Community
Maui Economic Development Board applauds Maui High School (MHS) 2003 graduate and video producer, Jason Baum, for winning his first Grammy Award. His work on Kendrik Lamar’s music video, Humble, was recently honored at the 60th Grammy Award show in New York City. A graduate of New York University’s undergraduate film program, Baum works across the country and internationally with an array of clients.
“My journey toward working in the film industry is rooted in my time at MHS,” Baum explained. “I was in the second class to participate in the EAST Project, which allowed me to apply the latest technologies for solving community problems. With that program led by Keith Imada, in conjunction with Clint Gima’s video program, I started to make short films with their camcorders and editing software. My teacher’s encouragement toward working independently, as well as in a host of school programs, was formative and a part of the skills that I still use to this day. One of the short films that I created was part of a greater multidisciplinary project that represented MHS at the national EAST Conference. This project went on to win the top prize in the 2002 competition and was the first of many other videos that I took to the national level while still in high school.”
Keith Imada, MHS teacher, said, “Baum was really dedicated to his craft, spending hours and days on end to download, edit, render, and export the videos. I knew he would be successful because of his work ethic, his dedication, and his willingness to explore new technologies and utilize them.” Clint Gima, MHS teacher, added, “Jason was born to be a producer. He was involved with multi-school projects, making videos and documentaries for the school and community, all while keeping up with his grades.”
Baum stays connected to MHS by serving on the MHS STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) Learning Center Advisory Board. While continuing his work in the music industry, his dream is to expand his skills to feature length films, perhaps one in Hawaii.
My parents, Dr. Frank Baum and Dr. Colleen Inouye, were recently presented with the MHS Saber Spirit Award for their continuing annual Baum-Inouye Valedictorian Scholarship Fund.
Jason Baum, 2018 Grammy Award Winner
Apr 11, 2018 | Education, Small Business
Omar Sultan, co-founder of Sultan Ventures, Founding & Managing Partner of XLR8UH
The 2nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC) at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on May 2 & 3, 2018, will provide business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees with an opportunity to expand their expertise in numerous industry-related subjects. Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the conference program Plan, Build, Grow: Mapping a Pathway to Success is an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in learning important strategies for business success.
“You’ll hear from successful national and local business leaders and owners, on customer service, business growth and scaling, social media management, innovative tax strategies and more while networking with the business community,” said Leslie Wilkins, President & CEO of MEDB.
Mayor Alan Arakawa added, “Small businesses dominate Hawaii’s economic landscape, making up over 90 percent of the business community and employing half of our state’s employees. By helping our local businesses navigate pathways for their success, we’re also helping to encourage ingenuity and profitability that ultimately impact our community and economy.”
First-day sessions will involve a combination of renowned specialists, plenary panels, and case studies on specific subjects. Karen McCullough, Generations Speaker, will provide the Opening Keynote and panel discussions on Customer and Employee Relationships.
Omar Sultan, co-founder of Sultan Ventures, Founding & Managing Partner of XLR8UH, will present a talk on Scaling Your Business, and will moderate a panel on Shaping a Game Plan for Growth. “Our firm helps visionary founders build successful, long-lasting businesses by supporting them at every stage of their journey,” said Sultan. Gwen Woltz, co-founder of Wahine Media, will discuss Social Media Reality Check: Gone Are the Days of “Free” and moderate a panel on Social Media Maui Style. “I can help attendees envision their perfect social media world and then map the quickest and most affordable route to get there.”
The second day consists of workshops diving deeper into some of the subjects presented on the first day, including a workshop on Tax Strategies for Small Businesses presented by Robert Kawahara, CPA, Managing Member, Kawahara + Hu, LLC.
During the HSBC we will explain the importance of pivotal resources via a network of experts and investors and the hands-on expertise necessary to accelerate growth.
Omar Sultan: Co-founder, Sultan Ventures; Founding & Managing Partner, XLR8UH
To register online, visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz or call (808) 875-2300.
Apr 4, 2018 | Education, Stemworks
Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) STEMworks™ AFTERschool program is pleased to announce the 2018 Hawaii STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Conference on April 10-11, 2018 at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu. This two-day regional technology conference serves over 1000 middle and high school students and 300 teachers. “The students are part of our STEMworks™ labs that are in twenty-nine schools across the state of Hawaii,” said Mapu Quitazol, WIT Program Manager. “The Conference provides our STEMworks™ students the opportunity to showcase their service-learning STEM projects, network with other students and industry professionals, compete with other students, attend hands-on sessions, and much more.”
The conference also provides students and teachers the opportunity to receive training in cutting-edge software tools and be exposed to new STEM fields and career opportunities. Past conference breakout sessions include: Photoshop, After Effects, Gaming, Coding, Engineering Design using CAD, Voyaging, GIS/GPS, Mapping UAV’s, Conservation, and Photography.
Recently, Randy Schaffer and Justin Brown, owners of Makai Glass in Haliimaile, hosted a fundraising event for Lokelani Intermediate School students from Kihei, to attend the STEM Conference. “We are happy to support the keiki in such a worthwhile cause,” Schaffer and Brown agreed. “They are our future.” The event featured local musician Marty Dread who also supports the program. “STEMworks™ is focused on engaging middle school students in subjects and projects that help inspire the next generation of professionals,” said Dread. “I strongly support education in the Maui community.”
Karen Wright, Lokelani 8th grade science teacher and STEMworks™ Site Coordinator added, “Our AFTERschool program has grown to over 200 students that attend frequently. WIT supports the classes with technology supplies, trainings, field trips, and hiring staff to teach the daily lessons. During the STEM Conference, our students will explore future careers by meeting and learning from local industry and university leaders.”
Kimara Alger, Lokelani 8th grader, says STEMworks™ has expanded her knowledge about career opportunities. “It was so exciting to see women involved in glassblowing at Makai,” she said. “WIT has opened so many possibilities for girls!”
It was such an exciting fundraiser! Mahalo to Makai Glass, Marty Dread and everyone who supported our goal of taking 12-15 students to the Hawaii STEM Conference. We did it! We’re going!
Kimara Alger, Lokelani Intermediate School 8th Grade
Mar 28, 2018 | Education, Small Business
The 2018 Maui Energy Conference returned to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center to celebrate its 5th Anniversary on March 14-15. The event, presented by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and supported by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, explored the theme Decarbonization: A Business Opportunity for Innovative Communities. The conference, featuring keynote speakers, panel sessions, case studies, exhibits and networking, attracted more than 300 energy-industry leaders from Hawaii, the continental U.S., Japan and Europe to exchange ideas about global projects serving today’s rapidly changing energy industry.
Doug McLeod, Chair of the Conference Program Committee, started off the conference with a “10-minute Intro to Carbon.” His remarks focused on business opportunities related to the evolving carbon markets, including agriculture. McLeod observed, “This year the conference explored carbon farming, which means using farming methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most people think agriculture on Maui cannot compete in the world markets because they think ag is about growing something and shipping it elsewhere. Ask yourself, could ag work on Maui if the transportation costs become irrelevant? That is the idea behind carbon farming.”
In his keynote, State Rep. Chris Lee said that Hawaii needs to invest its dollars in clean transportation, namely electrification. “There are a number of legislative bills to lay out the framework for a clean transportation system, with benchmarks to reduce carbon as the energy market moves forward,” said Lee. “Decarbonizing transportation will ultimately require updates in the maritime and aviation sectors as well.”
Bike-sharing programs and e-bikes were also a topic at the conference. Lee Chamberlain from rideSMART, Lahaina, and an exhibitor at the conference said, “E-bikes are popping up all over the mainland. On Maui there are numerous bike lanes and a proposed 25-mile West Maui Greenway that will transform the abandoned cane haul road into a pedestrian-bicycle friendly community.”
The conference ended with the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) networking reception. “MEDB is dedicated to providing opportunities for women to succeed in STEM careers, including energy. Having the WIRE networking reception is a fitting close to a conference that emphasizes diversity and inclusion,” said Leslie Wilkins, President and CEO of MEDB.
Ask yourself, could ag work on Maui if the transportation costs become irrelevant? That is the idea behind carbon farming.
Doug McLeod, Chair, Maui Energy Conference Program Committee
Mar 21, 2018 | Community
Maui resident, author and speaker Steven Snyder is one of the world’s foremost experts on Accelerated Learning and Personal Development. He has made several thousand presentations in more than 90 countries. Throughout his career, Snyder taught empowerment through counseling sessions, workshops and seminars to help people maximize their full potential. His newly published book, Focused Passion, teaches how to create success in all areas of life. “In every situation we can turn problems into sources of motivation, creativity, and positive challenges,” said Snyder. “There is a ‘new you’ that you can breakthrough to. This wise and powerful ‘new you’ is the sum-total of your unique gifts, talents, and abilities understood from a higher perspective. It is a special identity—the doorway to personal and professional mastery, to purpose and passion in life, right here, right now.”
Presented by Mental Health Kokua, Snyder’s upcoming event, Mindful Happiness, will be held on March 23, 2018 at 7pm at the McCoy Studio Theater in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului. He will discuss the experience of happiness as a choice, an attitude, a way to be, regardless of circumstances. Attendees will discover that success is not a way to happiness, however happiness is often a way to success. With a focus on specific keys to a happier life, the evening of mindfulness will begin with a screening of The Mindfulness Movie.
“Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment,” said Snyder. “Knowing that happiness is not primarily based on your circumstances eliminates projecting worrisome thoughts and anxious feeling into the future. More than anything else it is based on what you think by embracing and agreeing with your positive thoughts. In fact, painful experiences can be changed into valuable agents for growth and change. Every thought you think and emotion you have can bring you happiness,” he said. “Choose happiness. It might be the best choice of your life!”
Attendees at the Mindful Happiness Presentation will learn to master a focused, powerful state that creates an environment for happiness.
Steven Snyder, Maui Author and Speaker
Mar 14, 2018 | Environment, Events, Small Business
Keynote speaker Karen McCullough
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), in collaboration with Maui County’s Office of Economic Development, will present their 2nd Annual Hawaii Small Business Conference at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului on May 2-3, 2018. The event, coinciding with National Small Business Week, recognizes the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. This year’s theme, Plan, Build, Grow: Mapping A Pathway to Success, provides an opportunity to take any business to the next level, whether a one-person enterprise or a large-size company. Attendees will learn key strategies from national and local business leaders, in sessions, workshops and exhibits, on topics such as Business Growth, Customer Service, Entrepreneurial Psychology; Innovation, Tax Strategies, Social Media Management, and more.
According to Teena Rasmussen, Director of County of Maui Office of Economic Development, “Business owners are so busy working they rarely take time to reflect about their daily business or fly to a mainland conference. The Hawaii Small Business Conference offers owners a very affordable way to receive cutting edge information by nationally known speakers right here on Maui.”
Among this year’s presenters will be keynote speaker Karen McCullough, a well-known customer and employee engagement expert who inspires change in the workplace. McCullough helps organizations and leaders cut through generational stereotypes by leveraging their team’s strengths, enriching the work environment, and driving better results. For the last 15 years she has been developing creative solutions and implementing innovative methods inspiring people to connect, collaborate, and welcome change. Each of her presentations brings a realistic perspective on the future of a business.
During the Hawaii Small Business Conference, McCullough will speak on the topic “Going Beyond Your Brand—Delivering WOW Service”. She will focus on how businesses are redefining their mission and vision as their brands expand into customer and employee engagement. McCullough believes, “Your brand is the core of your company, the heart of your business, the soul of your culture, and the foundation for a great customer experience. The way you get beyond the brand is through employee and customer interaction.”
For a schedule of speakers, workshops, and online registration visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz. For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, email smallbiz@medb.org or call (808) 875-2300
MEDB High Tech Maui
Mar 7, 2018 | Community
Grow Some Good (GSG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating hands-on, outdoor learning experiences, establishes food gardens and living science laboratories in Maui schools. “We are cultivating curiosity about natural life cycles, strengthening local agriculture and improving access to nutritious, affordable food,” said Kathy Becklin, GSG Executive Director. “Students learn about the nutritional value of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs they plant, harvest and eat that inspires healthier food choices. Additionally, we provide local students with a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum through community partnerships in the fields of agriculture, science, and food education.”
Becklin explained, “When we talk about plant functions, such as photosynthesis, students learn the science of growing plants. When we show them how to plant a bed of carrots or construct a bean-pole teepee they practice measuring for proper angles and location design. Critical thinking and problem-solving come into play following the well-known scientific method: identify a problem, create a solution, and provide observations of the results.”
The GSG program was created in 2008 by South Maui Sustainability’s School Garden Committee to support gardens created at Kihei Elementary, Lokelani Intermediate School and Kamali’i Elementary. “Committee members felt that outdoor classroom lessons would teach our future generations about traditional Hawaiian plants and growing and preparing foods in a sustainable environment,” said Becklin. “Since its inception, the program has expanded its outreach from one teacher at Kihei Elementary and three small raised beds, to 11 schools and more than 4,500 students participating in open-air learning programs.” GSG continues to expand its gardening outreach to neighborhood schools and their surrounding communities through partnerships with the County of Maui, Community Work Day, Maui School Garden Network, Kihei-Wailea Rotary Club and other local organizations, local chefs, and restaurant sponsors.
Taste of School Gardens, GSG’s 6th annual fundraiser, takes place Saturday, March 10th at the Maui Tropical Plantation from 5pm-8:30pm. Attendees and sponsors help to keep the school gardens growing while enjoying delicious creations from Maui’s top chefs, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and much more. See GrowSomeGood.org for more information.
Valuable lessons in conservation, collaboration and sustainability inspire our future farmers, chefs, scientists, teachers and community leaders.
Kathy Becklin, Executive Director of GSG
Feb 28, 2018 | Education, Innovation, Small Business
Don’t miss the second annual Hawaii Small Business Conference at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on May 2 & 3, 2018, presented by the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Maui Economic Development Board. The theme of this year’s conference is “Plan, Build, Grow: Mapping A Pathway to Success.”
Hear from experts, and successful business owners, on Customer Service, Business Growth and Scaling, Social Media Management, Entrepreneurial Psychology, Innovation, Tax Strategies and more. Network with fellow business and community leaders. Learn more at www.hawaiismall.biz
