Dec 13, 2017 | Community
The community came out in droves for a November Barnes & Noble-Maui book signing to meet Julie Checkoway, author of The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui’s Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory. The book, detailing the story of how Maui Coach Soichi Sakamoto developed Olympic swimming champions in the 1930s and 40s, is an extraordinary tale that Checkoway felt called to tell. “I’m from New England, so writing a story about another culture was a very delicate mission to undertake,” she explained. “In 2008 I received a phone call from a friend asking me if I had heard the story of these Hawaiian-Japanese American kids in the 30s who, against all odds, became Olympians. They were from poor families, swam in irrigation ditches on the Pu’unene sugar plantation, and trained with a coach who didn’t even know how to swim well. The more I researched, the more I realized that there was no one source that told the whole story of these extraordinary people and events. I’m honored to share their story with Maui and the world.”
Checkoway said Coach Keith Arakaki, Hawaii Swim Club-Oahu, was the bearer of the story for her. She then interviewed Bill Smith, now deceased, who won two Gold Medals in the 1948 Olympics. “The Smith family provided me with scrapbooks and priceless information,” she said. “The book includes everything about the swim team and their travels around the world as National Champions. I’m still amazed at how shoeless kids who sucked on sugarcane for their strength, did something so formidable. Teaching perseverance, Coach Sakamoto got them to believe in themselves.”
Bob Pellettieri, president of Hawaii Swim Club-Maui, agreed, “All the swimmers are proud of Checkoway’s book. It speaks of the determination that keeps going in the swim world and it’s great to finally have the whole story told.”
Deidre Tegarden, executive director of Nisei Veterans Memorial Center-Maui County, concluded, “Many of the swim team served in the military. Their story continues to inspire people to find the hero in themselves.”
As a former swimmer with Hawaii Swim Club-Maui, I appreciate all the research Checkoway compiled. The Three-Year Swim Club story will be passed down through generations.
Cecelia Romero, Baldwin High School Biology Teacher
Dec 6, 2017 | Community
STEMworks™ Island Energy Inquiry™ (IEI), developed by Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) Project, is the first clean-energy STEMworks™ (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum designed for Hawaii educators. It combines scientific inquiry and engineering design processes with cutting-edge materials and technologies for use in the classroom. IEI, offered at an exciting time in the state’s evolution in energy production and use, engages students in rigorous explorations of real island energy issues through its Lending Libraries.
“STEMworks™ IEI is updating its statewide Lending Libraries with STEM Innovation Kits designed to equip Hawaii students with the latest educational tools encouraging critical thinking and innovative play,” said Denissa Andrade, WIT Program Assistant. “The STEMworks™ program empowers elementary, middle and high school teachers on each island to be effective in their classrooms by providing teachers with technology tools, standards-aligned curriculum, professional development, access to industry professionals and ongoing support. STEMworks™ is a unique, holistic program designed to build our future generation of stewards, innovators and STEM professionals.”
STEMworks™ recently delivered over $100,000 in equipment to update IEI Lending Library campuses across the state. The updates support the statewide equipment libraries already valued at over $500,000 and include iPads, iPods, thermal imaging cameras, virtual reality headsets, energy-related K-12 reading books, energy conservation meters, wind turbine kits, solar cell kits, photovoltaic panels and multimeter kits, magnetism and motion kits, and much more. “These tools allow teachers participating in our training program to have access to a full set of lab aids designed to engage students in scientific inquiry and engineering design while learning about clean energy,” Andrade said.
Elizabeth Shigeta, IEI Lending Librarian said, “This is an exciting time for classroom teachers. IEI’s addition of literacy books and teaching tools has teachers connecting on a deeper level with their students. Additionally, students with limited background can also continually learn. Thank you MEDB!”
Since its launch in 2009, IEI has trained over 650 teachers and more than 73,000 students in Hawaii, with 90% implementation rate.
Denissa Andrade, WIT Program Assistant
Nov 29, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
The fun STEMworks™ AFTERschool Program for 2017-2018, presented by the Women in Technology (WIT) project of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), is for boys and girls, grades 6, 7 and 8. The program addresses the need to stimulate interest and build professional and career skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and then to apply it to real world issues. STEMworks™ hopes to nurture student interest throughout high school and post-secondary education, as well as prepare them to meet the workforce needs of their communities.
STEMworks™ AFTERschool, a free project-based STEM program, motivates students to solve community problems using high-end technologies with career readiness skills. “The curricula, including, coding and robotics, 3D printing and engineering CAD, agriculture, broadcasting and media, GIS and watershed, and more, is developed in close consultation with educators and industry partners,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “The flexible structure of the program allows teachers to align with in-school coursework that students do during the day.”
WIT Project Manager Melinda White added, “This is more than an after-school science club! Over the past two years, students report that they have grown to become better communicators, mentors, presenters, leaders, and listeners. Students also have increased marks in academics, teamwork, and confidence. More amazingly, over 95% of participating students shared a specific STEM career that they are interested in pursuing. The program’s career exposure and practice with high-end technology tools are having true impacts on what these young people plan to become.”
Debbie Hisashima, Pukalani Elementary School teacher and STEMworks™ AFTERschool coordinator said, “Our STEMworks™ program nurtures children to become caring, capable, and contributing members of the 21st century. While students excitedly learn the technical skills needed for future STEM careers, they also develop other skills such as collaboration, adaptability, and critical thinking which are all necessary for a successful life.”
The public is invited to come and learn about the STEMworks™ program from students at Queen Kaahumanu Center, Center Court on Wednesday, December 6th, from 4:30 to 5:45 pm.
I learned that more ideas can help people see different points of view. Our goal is to invent something that benefits the world!
5th grader, Pukalani Elementary School
Nov 22, 2017 | Environment
Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Women in Technology (WIT) Project is an initiative whose mission is to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education throughout the state with hands-on and project-based service learning. WIT’s STEMworks™ Summer Internship Program brought Maui High School student Renezel Lagran to the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project (MNSRP) for a mutually beneficial six-week partnership. “Lagran learned natural history and conservation through extensive field experience,” said Jay Penniman, MNSRP Project Manager. “In return, her immense talent and technical ability gave us valuable video production and file organization.”
Penniman continued, “This was the perfect opportunity for Lagran to learn directly from wildlife experts, not only to make her more aware about different STEM careers but also to teach her to become a steward of our islands. STEMworks™ gives us hope for our planetary future when we see women like her take their engineering and technical education forward to embrace our seabird community. Our efforts to restore our struggling native resources will only benefit from the engagement of stellar youth such as Lagran and opportunities provided by programs like WIT’s STEMworks™.”
Lagran noted, “Before MNSRP, the significance of seabirds did not cross my mind. Now, after six incredible weeks of internship with the company, I am aware of the urgency for their survival. Not only do seabirds possess cultural significance, they also provide key ingredients needed to preserve the world’s ecosystem. It’s now my personal mission to inform the community about these facts and what we can do to support their existence.
Besides bringing new and profound information, Lagran’s experience with MNSRP was also fun. “Between the vital teachings were unforgettable memories that I will forever cherish,” she said. “I was able to use field instruments, hike the steep slopes of Haleakala and most importantly, gain life-long connections. My mentors and I have already discussed a future partnership beyond the internship program. To say that I am excited is an understatement.”
My mentors taught me how to use conservation equipment such as the song meter, infrared cameras, and night vision goggles which helped me create public service announcement videos about downed native seabirds. Thank you MEDB and MNSRP for this experience!
Renezel Lagran, STEMworks™ Summer Intern
Nov 15, 2017 | Community
As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, it seems fitting that we highlight an all-volunteer community project that benefits keiki and their families. About a year ago, Ali Dauler, founder and manager of the Keiki Klothing Exchange-Kihei (KKEK), instigated the free clothing exchange program here on Maui. KKEK started small. It was held at a Kihei community park along with Dauler’s bootcamp workout for moms. “We would exercise and then swap the clothes we brought,” Dauler said. “Subsequently, as I noticed KKEK’s growth, I knew it was time for the next step. I spoke to my church officials about using their site. Once everything was approved, we had a home at Kihei Lutheran Church, a perfect location for KKEK.” There is a full playground and ample parking, restrooms with changing tables, and a beautiful lanai for the exchange. “I needed more help, women to support and be a part of my project,” she noted. “Luna Amezcua gave a huge amount of time and assistance and became my KKEK partner. Additionally, we have a dream team of helpful women volunteers.”
Dauler’s mission has always been to reach out to as many families as possible. “As moms, Amezcua and I knew the importance of coming together as a community, as a support system,” Dauler said. “Now that KKEK has grown, we want everyone to know that although this is a fabulous recourse for families in need, it’s also for anyone and everyone.”
The free clothing exchange is held on the first Saturday of every month, 9am to 11am, at Kihei Lutheran Church. All the leftover merchandise is delivered to numerous charities, including Women Helping Women, Imua, shelters, and various churches. “We accept toys, books, shoes, and all baby items,” said Dauler. “Everything is sorted beforehand by our amazing volunteers to ensure there are no rips or stains, and that all the toys are in working condition. Our standards are high and our hearts are full. Let’s face it, kids grow, and clothes don’t. I always say, ‘Bring what you can, and take what you need!’”
We appreciate all the community support and all the donations for our free clothing exchange.
Ali Dauler, Keiki Klothing Founder and Manager
Nov 8, 2017 | Environment, Sustainability
Maui Green & Beautiful (MG&B) is an environmental non-profit that cares for the ‘Ᾱina through preservation, protection, and education. Originally known as the Maui Outdoor Circle, in 2014 it reorganized as MG&B. “Our education curriculum includes proper care and pruning, benefits of trees, protecting our healthy mature trees and teaching the value of trees,” said Elaine Malina, MG&B president. “We have created bridges with, and have earned respect from, the landscape and tree professionals in our community. Some of our recent tree plantings include jacaranda trees along Haleakala Highway with the Eagle Scouts, trees planted in Keopuolani Park in Kahului with the Maui County Arborist Committee, and much more.”
Malina’s love of trees began with a black walnut tree in her childhood backyard in the Chicago suburbs. Her parents used to take her to botanical gardens which evolved into her receiving a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. “I became an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist in 1997 and graduated from the University of Hawaii College Foundation Agricultural Leadership Training Program in 2002.”
MG&B is celebrating Arbor Month with two special events in November. A Kaulunani Grant is allowing them to bring the TreeCircus, an educational tree event, to four Maui schools. “The TreeCircus show lasts almost an hour with non-stop energy and student participation,” Malina said. “The grant is also allowing us to purchase educational material that we will donate to each participating school.”
The 7th Annual Malama the Trees Free Educational Workshop will be held on November 11th. This year, MG&B is honoring the Maui County Exceptional Trees of Wailuku. The event begins at 9am in front of the County Building with an hour-long presentation about tree topics including the Maui County Planting Plan. “We will also discuss tree infrastructure, tree biology, tree planting, and other issues,” said Malina. “After the hour presentation, we will break into small groups with a certified arborist to guide us through Wailuku. We will finish at Kaahumanu Church’s exceptional tree at 12 noon. For more information visit: mauibeautiful.org.
We need trees to breathe. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. Trees are cool.
Elaine Melina, President, Maui Green & Beautiful
Nov 1, 2017 | Community
Maui County’s largest products show, the annual Made in Maui County Festival (MIMCF), returns on November 3 and 4th, 2017. Now in its fourth year, this popular event, presented by the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, features over 140 vendors offering a wide variety of products made in Maui County, including foods, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, furniture, gifts, collectibles and more, all in one location, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. MIMCF is a showcase for our local companies to take their business to the next level while attracting thousands of visitors and residents.
The Festival will be the first major show for many businesses – as well a return event for others. MEDB regularly collaborates with local organizations focused on economic development. Gerry Smith, MEDB Director of Business Development notes, “It is incredibly rewarding for us at MEDB to see our program participants scale their businesses to successfully sell their product lines to 10,000+ expected buyers! We all have the same goal in mind: the success and growth of small businesses on Maui.”.
Justin Orr, owner of HI Spice-Created on Maui, said, “I attended an MEDB presentation titled Break Even Point, given by Gerry Smith at a recent Maui Food Innovation Accelerator class. Smith provided suggestions on how to capture the costs of doing business—helping us understand sales forecasts, production capacity and how much our product costs to manufacture. He gave hypothetical story lines involving businesses and different scenarios involving ‘what ifs’ and I was hooked. I was often wondering what exactly my break-even was with our business. I have recommended MEDB classes and workshops to other new business owners because MEDB provides an invaluable community resource.”
Orr continued, “My wife Katie and I created our home-grown hot-sauce business, which we launched at last year’s Festival after discovering we had a knack for growing peppers. We have been collaborating with local farmers to bring a truly Maui-crafted hot sauce that is inspired, grown, and made on Maui. We have eight flavors to sample. Visit us and spice up your day!”
We support ‘local’ with every facet of making batches of craft-style hot sauces. We are bringing you a farm-to-bottle sauce experience. Thank you MEDB for priceless business advice!
Justin Orr, HI Spice
Oct 25, 2017 | Environment
Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology STEMworks™ Laboratory extends to the surf. Sixteen-year-old Maui surfer Annie Reickert explains this. “Mastering surfing is all about mastering science,” said Reickert. “You need to know how the waves travel across the ocean carrying energy as they go and how you can capture some of this energy to move yourself along. Whether you are surfing or body-boarding, riding a long board or whizzing on a skim board, you’re using cool science in a very cool way.”
Reickert has been surfing since she was five years old. Born and raised on Maui, she is passionate about being on the water and standup-paddling (SUP). Her connection and devotion to the ocean has led her to homeschooling so that she can compete on the SUP World Tour. Reickert has placed first in some prestigious SUP races including the Olukai, Paddle Imua, Women’s Open World Series Huntington Beach and the U-17 Battle of the Paddle. Most recently, in California, she took first place in the highly competitive 2016 SUP Santa Cruz Paddlefest. As the youngest member of the Naish Team riders, individuals at the top of their sport, Reickert’s future holds world-wide competitions including the 2017 International Surfing Association World Championship in Denmark and perhaps to be the SUP World Champion.
“I get up at 5:30 every morning and head for the water,” said Reickert. “After my training time I start school at 9 am. If I finish my schoolwork early, I head back to surf in the afternoon.” With an interest in Marine Biology, Reickert is motivated to do her best in school and surf. “You need both a scientific understanding and an intuitive understanding of the dynamics of the water,” Reickert noted. “A surfer wants to catch a wave just as it is breaking—which is when it has maximum speed. To catch the wave, a surfer’s velocity must be equal to the wave’s velocity, and then you feel the board being carried along by the wave.”
Science can explain most of the things you notice when you’re riding along on your surfboard. For example, the weight and dynamics of the board can affect any of the variables in your performance.
Annie Reickert, Professional Surfer, 11th grade
Oct 18, 2017 | Community
Keiki Cupboard, a nonprofit organization presently assisting 21 Maui schools, is dedicated to providing necessary school supplies and shoes to children who need them. There are many disadvantaged children with financially strapped parents who cannot provide the required items. The Cupboard, winner of the Maui Rotary Club’s annual Award for Best Vocational Service, believes that no child should lack the needed basic necessities for his education.
Countless children start the first day of the new school year without a backpack or the items required for their classes. “This is the young person who inspires and drives Keiki Cupboard,” explained the Cupboard’s Vice President Toby Neal. “We provide a storage unit or Cupboard, on each participating school campus, filled with items called for by the school. The school staff distributes the materials discreetly, without shame or red tape, thus preparing the students to meet their daily requirements. Moreover, the program not only helps students with basic necessities for class, it also improves their physical and social well-being.”
Neal, who is also a popular Maui novelist, continued, “My sister, Keiki Cupboard President Bonny Ponting, and I came up with the idea for Keiki Cupboard based on our experiences in Maui’s public schools. I was a public school counselor and my sister an involved parent. We both saw how many families struggled to provide their children with supplies every year. So, as not to burden economically strained families any further, we started a grassroots organization that does all the needed fundraising outside of schools.”
The sisters continue to be thrilled by how the community and businesses support them. “It’s a simple mission, and it makes a surprising difference,” said Neal. “It has amazed me how our all-volunteer organization has grown,” Ponting added. “It is a testament to the generosity of the people of Maui. Our goal is to be in all 28 Maui County schools, one Cupboard at a time.” To volunteer or make a donation, visit keikicupboard.org or call (808) 280-1021.
Anyone with a good idea can make a huge difference in his community and, through the internet, potentially change the world.
Toby Neal, Keiki Cupboard Vice-President
Oct 11, 2017 | Education, Stemworks
Graham DeVey recently retired from Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) where he worked as a program manager for their Women in Technology (WIT) Island Energy Inquiry™ (IEI) project since 2012. IEI is a professional development program for Hawaii STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teachers to engage in rigorous explorations of real energy issues in our islands.
“IEI uses research-based techniques to guide teachers through the inquiry-learning process,” DeVey explained. “The curriculum is based on renewable energies prevalent in Hawaii, including solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, geothermal, ocean thermal energy conversion, biofuels, and energy conservation and efficiency audit. In the workshops, teachers practice labs and activities using the latest Hawaii standards and energy data while learning how to implement this training in the classroom.”
Working with other IEI staffers from WIT, DeVey has trained 495 teachers during 38 workshops, representing 42,000 students of Hawaii statewide. “I’ve been very fortunate that our WIT courses attracted some of the best teachers in the state, and we’ve received ongoing praise from our teachers, who acknowledge that IEI has re-awakened their love of teaching,” DeVey noted. “Online webinars present teachers with the opportunity to share lessons learned and write reflections for their professional development credits.”
Julia Davison, Pukalani Elementary School teacher said, “The IEI program offers a great opportunity for teachers and students to learn more about sustainable energy use. It provides problem-solving and collaboration for designing an energy-sustainable future for Hawaii. This powerful inquiry-based instruction will help my students be successful in science, other academic subjects, and in their daily lives.”
DeVey came to MEDB with an impressive resume. He served as a Navy commander flying the P-3C Orion patrol plane. Later, he became Director of Engineering for Carrier Corporation’s Asia Pacific Division and Vice President of their Corporate Technology Planning Division in Syracuse, New York. After receiving an inner call to help young American students consider and qualify for careers in science and engineering, DeVey earned a Master of Arts in teaching and taught physics at Baldwin High School for 17 years.
DeVey’s goal was to make science fun for STEM teachers and their students. Most of all he was a great colleague and support.
Mapu Quitazol, MEDB WIT Program Manager
