Oct 24, 2018 | Community
The 5th Annual Made in Maui County Festival (MIMCF), set for November 2-3, 2018 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, is considered Maui County’s largest product show. This major event, featuring hundreds of Made in Maui County products, helps to grow the islands’ small businesses.
The MIMCF will be the first major, as well as the returning show, for many businesses that Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) 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,” said Gerry Smith, MEDB Director of Business Development. “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.”
This year, Leanne Ohta and Ana Magarin, owners of Maui Sugar Mamas LLC, will join over 140 product vendors offering a wide variety of foods, produce, art, crafts, jewelry, fashions, furniture, gifts, collectibles, and more. Raised on Maui, Ohta, and Magarin have been best friends for more than 25 years and are both dental professionals — with a passion for baking.
“We create a variety of crispy cookies packed with flavor which are bite-size and melt-in-your-mouth,” Ohta and Magarin explained. “The flavors are unique. Our cookies are hand-scooped, baked, and sealed for freshness. Our year round selections include our Signature Chocoholic Chip, Coffee Lava, and Passion 8 Bliss. We offer specialty and seasonal cookies, and we create custom gift baskets, as well as party favors for different events and occasions.”
Smith added, “Ohta and Magarin, the Sugar Mamas, are amazing! They have a really good product and work hard. The Sugar Mamas utilized MEDB’s free one-on-one business consultations to work out their cost to manufacture their products, cash flow, the best price to charge, and their manufacturing capacity. The Mamas are an example of a Maui-based food entrepreneur doing it right. I encourage all entrepreneurs to explore MEDB’s free business assistance services and their workshops, and to attend the 3rd annual Hawaii Small Business Conference in 2019.”
Maui is fortunate to have MEDB providing amazing services supporting entrepreneurs, allowing us to see the bigger picture, be more business minded, and see that our dreams can become a reality. Come see us at the MIMCF!
Leanne Ohta and Ana Magarin, Maui Sugar Mamas
Oct 17, 2018 | Small Business
In just one weekend, you will experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure that make up life at a startup. Surrounded by smart, passionate people and with the best tools and strategies at your disposal, you’ll take giant leaps in learning skills to create a business, build a team, and connect with the right people and resources.
The Startup Weekend Maui Series includes three (3) warm-up events to give you valuable tools for your business: Pinching Your Pennies; Lean Startup Canvas; and Pitch Bootcamp.
For more information and to register, please go to www.startupweekendmaui.com
Oct 10, 2018 | Education, Stemworks
Sean McCormick, King Kekaulike High School, was among the 31 high school students participating in Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project (WIT) STEMworks™ Summer Internship Program. For six weeks, the STEMworks™ interns aligned their abilities and interests with industry professionals throughout the islands. The experience provided invaluable work-based learning for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students to explore career pathways.
McCormick’s STEMworks™ Internship project included creating a computer program that can help astronomers find and predict the transit of an exoplanet, the passage of a planet between a star and the Earth. He worked with Dr. J. D. Armstrong, an astronomer and the Education Outreach Specialist from the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy (IfA).
McCormick explained, “An exoplanet is a planet orbiting around a star other than the Sun. Exoplanets are difficult to identify as they cannot be directly seen in a telescopic image due to their distance from Earth. Exoplanets are identified when they block a small amount of light from the star they are orbiting. Observations are collected, and the intensity of the star is graphed over time. If there is an exoplanet, the graph will have a U-shaped dip. The radius of the planet, relative to the parent star, can be determined at this point by using the ratio of the star’s intensity when the exoplanet is transiting and when it is not. This is indicative of how much of the light from the star is being blocked by the exoplanet. I discovered that entering the collected data into a supercomputer is the best approach to this problem.”
McCormick found his project fun and challenging—trying to learn the math and figure out how to automate it. He noted, “I am looking forward to continuing to work on research projects with both STEMworks™ and the IfA in the future.”
Dr. Armstrong concluded, “Every year MEDB sends me some amazing interns to work with. I appreciate the level of skills, hard work, and creativity they bring to the IfA.”
During my summer internship I had the chance to analyze the light from stars to discover exoplanets. Thank you STEMworks™ and IfA for the opportunity to experience a job in astronomy!
Sean McCormick, King Kekaulike High School
Oct 3, 2018 | Community
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Maui, the Mana’olana (“Hope”) Pink Paddlers, a group of cancer survivors and their supporters, bring cancer awareness through the art, the sport, and most importantly, the mana of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe paddling. A 501(c)3 nonprofit since 2010, the Pink Paddlers are committed to educational outreach in the community as well as developing rewarding partnerships with the Pacific Cancer Foundation. The Pink’s original vision, to reach out to breast cancer survivors, now includes all cancer survivors and their supporters, regardless of age or gender.
“Our mission is to cultivate hope, health, fitness, and fun for cancer survivors and supporters, utilizing traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes to encourage physical exercise, build confidence and lasting friendships,” said Mana’olana Pink Paddlers President, Mary Dungans. “We reassure, by example, that exercise can aid recovery and demonstrate that people living with this disease can lead full and active lives. Today, we have over 100 members ranging in age up into the 90’s and are still paddling strong!”
The Pinks hope to bring, not just paddling, training, and technique, but awareness of the sea, the wind, the life, the culture, and what’s on the horizon. Their sport is an invitation to strengthen body, mind and lasting friendships from paddling with a crew.
“When I moved to Maui, I wanted to contribute to my community and honor my parents, who both passed away from cancer,” Dungans explained. “I came to paddle with Mana’olana in 2010. I had no idea what a joyous and positive experience it would be! The Pinks welcomed me and made me feel included in something very special. To be able to paddle out into the ocean in the mornings, greet the day, say prayers for loved ones and kindred spirits and affirm our gratitude was the best medicine anyone could ever hope for. I was strengthened mentally, physically and spiritually. I realized my mission was to empower others to be happy and strong—no matter what obstacles come along.” For more information about the Pink Paddlers visit: www.manaolanapinkpaddlersmaui.org.
Survivor or supporter, all are invited to the Maui Canoe Club on Sugar Beach, just off North Kihei Road on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:15am.
Mary Dungans, President, Mana’olana Pink Paddlers
Sep 26, 2018 | Innovation
Kim Ball, a speaker at Maui Economic Development Board’s 2nd annual Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC), is a pioneer of the surf sports industry on Maui. Ball, who selflessly contributes to the betterment of the Maui community, talked story at the HSBC on Innovation: Learning from the Past, Creating the Future. “I’ve been in business for 36 years on Maui and believe in the importance of honesty and integrity,” Ball said. “Do business the right way, be nice, and get involved with the community.”
In 1985, Ball organized Maui’s first contest for board sailing known as the Kanaha Wind Slalom. Today, the world-renowned event, called the Maui Race Series, annually brings hundreds of windsurfers to Maui. “Windsurfing was just becoming popular. It was the fastest growing sport in the world,” said Ball. “The races were something for windsurfers to do in the summer when the north shore was flat. The first year, we had guys on asymmetrical wave boards, and every other kind of board and sail. But gradually it got a little more serious, and before we knew it, we had the best slalom racers in the world competing in our amateur races.”
Ball’s stores, Hi-Tech Maui and Shapers, represent the largest selection of boards on the island, including surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, windsurfing boards, skateboards and snowboards, as well as clothing, surf wear and protective gear. He clearly has his finger on the Maui sports scene and the changes made over the years. “It never ceases to amaze me to see the innovations that Maui guys have come up with to ride waves.”
While organizing several surf meets a year, Ball also worked to have high school surfing recognized and sanctioned as an official sport activity. Additionally, he was instrumental in developing amateur wrestling on Maui and is coordinator of the league which has grown to 11 clubs and 700 wrestlers. “I went to one Lahainaluna High School wrestling practice in 1980, and the athletic director asked me if I wanted to help coach,” he said. “I thought, I can help for one year. Look what happened!”
Years ago, the Maui News named me as one of their People That Made A Difference and in 2009 the Lahaina News named me Sportsman of the Year. Those honors are very dear to me.
Kim Ball, Owner, Hi-Tech Maui and Shapers
Sep 19, 2018 | Education, Stemworks
For the nearly 500 guests who attended this year’s annual Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner, the love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) was in the air. Held at the Grand Wailea Resort, the festive evening showcased Maui County’s STEM stars and raised funds to support MEDB’s STEM education programs throughout our county and across the state.
During the program, students also had an opportunity to share their love of STEM. Jeffrey Ho, 4th grader at Pukalani School enthusiastically said, “I’ve been a part of the STEMworks™ AFTERschool program for 2-years and have been exposed to robots, ozobots, coding, digital media, CAD, 3D printing, and more! These experiences have helped me gain leadership skills and confidence.”
Yasha Ronquillo, Maui High School alumna and STEMworks™ intern, observed, “If I were to describe the power of STEM for me personally it would be growth and opportunity. During my 6-week internship I networked with students and STEM industry professionals that I will continue to keep in contact with.” The students all thanked MEDB and STEMworks™ for the encouragement to embrace change and pursue opportunities for growth.
New to the event was the presentation of the Czechowicz Teaching Excellence Award, created by two former teachers, Lesley and Pawel Czechowicz, in honor of their mothers. The inaugural award recognized three exceptional STEMworks™ facilitators in Maui Nui: Cindel Jacintho of Lanai Elementary & High School’s after school program; Iolani Kuoha of ‘O Hina I Ka Malama, Molokai Middle Hawaiian Immersion School; and Emily Haines-Swatek of King Kekaulike High School.
The evening’s finale was the presentation of the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award, the highest student award MEDB presents. This year, the award went to 2018 King Kekaulike graduate Justin Hanks for integrating all the resources and skills he learned in the STEMworks™ program. For his senior project, Hanks put on elementary school STEM camps to encourage innovation and creativity in younger students.
MEDB Board President Ryan Churchill concluded, “We thank all those who have contributed and played a role in our youth’s love of STEM. It’s truly an investment that has the power to come full circle, helping to shape our leaders of tomorrow and ensuring a bright future for our islands.”
These funds will provide state-of-the-art technology tools for our students and training for our teachers — investments that will make a difference in the lives of our residents and our community.
Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO
Sep 12, 2018 | Community
On September 29, Maui’s 25th annual “Saddle Up” St. Jude Trail Ride will take place. The spirited 10-mile ride begins at 9 a.m. It goes from Thompson Road to the Fleming Arboretum in the Pu’u Mahoe cinder cone, through private lands of Ulupalakua and OW Ranch. Horse and riders arrive at 8 a.m. at the Haleakala Ranch corrals on Thompson Road in Ulupalakua.
Thompson Ranch has organized Maui’s annual St. Jude’s Trail ride since 1992. “Having brought more than $360,000 in donations since our first ride in 1992, we feel compelled to continue our support of this charity that helps save the precious lives of children around the world,” said Toni Thompson, of Thompson Ranch. “St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital leads the way in understanding, treating and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The money raised by events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.”
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors world-wide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. “We have all been affected by cancer in some way or another,” said Thompson. “This event allows our community to come together to help push the childhood cancer survival rate to 100%. We encourage the whole community to donate to this extraordinary cause.”
A rider in this year’s Saddle Up, Taryn Bernabe from Makawao, said, “St. Jude is unique. Consistent with the vision of founder and entertainer, Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or money. Thomas opened the doors to St. Jude in 1962 with the dream that ‘no child should die in the dawn of life.’”
Bernabe concluded, “It’s the most beautiful ride ever! The participants are riding above the clouds and looking down on the whole island.” For more information, call Thompson Ranch at (808) 878-1910.
The lunch is always incredible too! Riders are treated with the traditional cowboy stew made by Uncle Joe and his wife, Aunty Gwen De Rego. There will be door prizes and awards.
Taryn Bernabe, St. Jude “Saddle Up” Rider
Sep 5, 2018 | Education, Stemworks
Sophia and Christine Davis, Kihei Charter School, were among 31 of the most promising STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) high school and college students presenting their innovative projects at the 2018 STEMworks™ Summer Internship Showcase. Created by Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology Project (WIT), the six-week STEMworks™ Summer Internship provides statewide, work-based learning opportunities for students, matching their interest and skills with the needs of the host company.
Mentor Ron Viloria from qubedup Company noted, “STEMworks™, cultivated by MEDB’s WIT, has proven itself to be the single most valuable resource for my company’s launch. The Davis sisters had the opportunity to step up and grow the qubedup work environment. During the last six weeks my company went from just being registered to having a web presence and items for sale. Sophia has built a prototype “smart lei” that has safety, medical, and entertainment applications. It’s our take on improving and promoting a portion of local Hawaiian culture.”
Viloria continued, “Christine heads the Social Media campaigns of the company and started a Hawaii-positivity movement for the community. Everything is rooted in stories and their stories are just unfolding.”
Sophia said, “My STEMworks™ Internship projects were several notably different yet connected projects. My first project was a smart lei, a unique Hawaiian-style wearable technology with various lights and sensors that react to the world around it. The second was creating digital designs that have an extra story or layer for our Redbubble portfolio and other print-on-demand merchandise services. The final project is designing and coding a special web app for qubedup that has a connection to some of my designs. Thanks MEDB for hands-on experience in a real workplace!”
Christine added, “At qubedup, I worked on creating innovative fashion technology that included marketing, social media managing, and logo designs for products. Being a STEMworks™ intern means being part of a network of passionate individuals in the STEM education movement. It helped me solidify potential career paths, dedicate myself to interesting and innovative work, and change the world through STEM.”
STEMworks™ students have a unique opportunity to explore technical and professional development and embrace new life skills to create change in their local communities.
Lalaine Pasion, WIT Project Assistant
Aug 29, 2018 | Community
Principal Chris Bachaus of Kula Elementary School had a vision. He began working on a project to help students that were struggling with STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) classes in the Kula community. “Many of our students weren’t getting the basic concepts behind their classroom-based lessons, so I decided to take it into the real world and teach them in a functional, project-based environment, a farm,” Bachaus said.
Principal Bachaus convinced the Department of Education (DOE) to allow him to use the six acres Kula School owns in Keokea to start an Agriculture (Ag) Science Program for his students. This property was the site of the old and historically significant Keokea School, abandoned when the current Kula School opened, in 1964.
“In past years, Kula has been involved in commercial agriculture and still has an economic dependence on farming,” Bachaus explained. “Many of these students have a strong connection to the land in their family life. By connecting them to their roots, we hope to reinforce the mastery of STEM technology through an Ag educational experience. This program is also a means to connect the students to their sense of place–they will learn responsibility and respect for the land and gain an understanding that will better prepare them as future decision makers and leaders in the community. Projects include growing plants, produce, a community lei garden, animal husbandry, and more.”
“This is not a DOE funded program, so it must be completely funded from outside sources,” said Bachaus. Financial support has been given through numerous community businesses and private donors. Recently, the Upcountry Children’s Giving Circle (UCGC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provided the Ag program with a 10-passenger van that was donated to them by Goodfellow Brothers.
Lesley Alexander Castellano, President of the UCGC Board said, “UCGC pays the insurance and maintains the van for Ag project activities. We are committed to the success of the Kula Ag Science Program and to bringing resources to support this exciting new program and maintaining the traditions of Kula agriculture.”
Donations and volunteers are continually needed for the Kula School Ag-Science Program. For more information call (808) 876-7610.
Chris Bachaus, Principal, Kula Elementary School
Aug 22, 2018 | Community
Teens Cook with Heart, a six-week school program initiated by the American Heart Association (AHA), teaches students how to prepare nutritional meals to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Mentored by volunteer chefs, the program culminates with a teen Iron Chef cooking competition.
“Studies show that youth who are involved in preparing their own meals are more likely to eat nutritious foods,” said Eve Bondar, AHA Development Manager. “Moreover, the lessons get youth excited about trying new foods and encourage them to share this passion with their own families at home, thus expanding the program’s reach to the larger community. The wide range of healthy cuisine taught in the classes includes fresh fruits and vegetables for use in smoothies, salsas, dressings, chili, guacamole, and fresh fish.”
AHA volunteer chefs explain food safety to students, such as how to use a knife properly, and how to swap out harmful ingredients for healthier ingredients. “The goal I hope to accomplish through teaching and mentoring is for our youth to realize that as we go through life, we must be aware of the things we put into our bodies,” said Executive Chef Ryan Luckey from Leilanis on the Beach. “This is a concern because obesity in childhood has more than tripled and youth are currently at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Private Chef Rob Mason agreed, “All the participating chefs help to inspire the students to hone their skills and harness their creative talents in the culinary arts. I believe in consistently building strong relationships with regional farmers, artisans and purveyors, and making lasting contributions to the Maui community.”
The AHA program currently supports over 400 students on the West Side, and a crowdfunding site has been established to increase the reach of the program to more children on Maui. Each $2,500 raised allows another class to be included in the program for the 2018-19 school year. Tax deductible donations can be made at heart.org/MauiKids. For more information call Eva Bondar at (808)212-4861 or email Eva.Bondar@heart.org.
I am committed to sustainable local agriculture and the Farm to Table Movement.
Executive Chef Ryan Luckey, Leilanis on the Beach
