St. John’s 39th Annual Kula Festival is the place to be on Saturday, September 21st. An upcountry tradition, the festival is returning after last year’s cancellation due to the August 2023 wildfires. The festival began in October 1982 as a fundraising event to support both St. John’s Church and various partner charity organizations. At its peak prior to the pandemic, the event saw 2,500 attendees each year.
“All the much-loved local artists and crafters, wide variety of food for sale, produce, plants, baked goods, keiki zone, silent auction, quilt show, and the gift shop will return,” said Maui artist and festival co-chair Deb Lynch. “For the first time, several fine art paintings will be exhibited, and there will be pony rides for the kids as well. The all-day live music and entertainment, hosted by Manaʻo Radio, includes Isle of Maui Pipe Band, Cheryl Rae, Jamie Lawrence, Kawika Ortiz, Steve Grimes, Benny Uyetake, Halau Hula, and Wehena o ke Ao.”
Festival co-chair Joseph Cascio added, “This year our St. John’s leadership team decided a portion of our net proceeds will be shared with the Kula Community Watershed Alliance (KCWA). This critical watershed has been seriously destabilized and is now at risk in the aftermath of the wildfire. Neighbors immediately joined together to commit to the recovery and long-term stewardship of this special place.” To further support recovery and land stewardship efforts, the festival will be a zero-waste event.
The KCWA’s executive director, Sara Tekula, explained, “In August 2023, approximately 230 acres of the Waiakoa watershed in Upper Kula, including over 23 homes and dozens of structures and trees, were burned in the fire. With the guidance of ecological and cultural advisors, the KCWA strives to restore the ecological identity of this area through careful sourcing of seeds within our ahupuaʻa, nearby habitat preserves, and saplings that have origins nearby. Remembering the Hawaiian proverb, ʻaʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia (no task is too big when done together by all), we are grateful that St. John’s recognized us and the work that we are doing. This is a great honor for us.”
The festival will take place on Saturday, September 21st, from 9am to 4pm at St. John’s Church (8992 Kula Highway across from Keokea Park). Admission is $2. For more information, visit stjohnsmaui.org/kulafestival and kulacommunitywatershed.org.
All are welcome to enjoy a fun day at the festival and help us support the Kula Community Watershed Alliance!
Deb Lynch and Joseph Cascio
Kula Festival Co-Chairs
Maui resident Joseph Imhoff, co-owner of Haleakalā Biochar, has a passion for land restoration. A 2022 alumnus the Ka Ipu Kukui program, co-founder of the Plant a Wish project, and a recipient of the Mālama I Ka ‘Āina Award, he also serves on the Maui County Arborist Committee. His ongoing work is focused land stewardship, tree planting, and the restoration of native habitats.
Located high on the slopes of Haleakalā, the family-run business was founded in 2020 and has been committed to making the highest quality biochar to support the health of soils, fresh water, and the ocean. They provide Maui-made biochar for agricultural producers, home gardeners, land restoration projects, stormwater filtration projects, and soil remediation. This is especially important in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires, and Imhoff’s team now offers free biochar to fire survivors whose properties need soil remediation.
“Biochar is simply a foundation for healthy soils,” Imhoff explained. “It works by providing beneficial microorganisms, the sorts of little critters that enrich the soil, feed plants, and produce healthy ecosystems. When pre-charged with these beneficial organisms, biochar promotes plant health. We utilize dying eucalyptus and wattle trees that burnt up during the 2023 fires…With hardwood-sourced biochar made to the right specifications, we can also improve water and soil quality, increase soil fertility, and raise agricultural productivity. We basically cook it down to pure carbon. It’s 100% charcoal, and it has no contaminants in it.”
Kahoʻolawe Island Conservation and the University of Hawaiʻi contracted Haleakalā Biochar to help with planting in inaccessible areas of Kahoʻolawe as part of ongoing reforestation efforts. The program uses drones to release native seeds, sourced on Kahoʻolawe, in seed balls containing a mixture of compost and biochar to help keep the seeds viable for a longer period as they take root.
“So far, we’ve had three Native Seedball Workshops,” Imhoff said. “Each drone can take 50 loads, deploying a string of 100 seed balls with each flight. We are basically supercharging the seed balls with the most micronutrients we can. It’s like a cocoon with nutrients that will grow, become a plant, and then a tree that will help restore the island.”
Thanks to grant support from the County of Maui and MEO, we are able to scale up production and donate 3 cubic yards of biochar to qualifying fire survivors who lost homes and would like to protect their land before rebuilding.
Since 2020, Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks team and its partners have delivered a highly successful Agriculture (Ag) Business and Technology Internship program, placing 179 Maui County high school and college students with host companies in the ag industry. The internship experience provides valuable work-based learning for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students, who not only to gain technical skills but also have the chance to explore a new career pathway while working on real-world projects. The 2024 summer cohort of 25 interns recently wrapped up their 6-week program with a virtual showcase highlighting their experiences. This summer, STEMworks worked with 17 host companies on Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i to make these internships possible, and the interns’ projects covered everything from conservation to food production. Thanks to funding from the County of Maui, STEMworks is able to pay every intern a competitive stipend.
“This program allows students to obtain work-based learning experiences in different ag fields and shows them that there is a lot more to agriculture besides farming and ranching,” said Britney James, MEDB’s program manager for agriculture, education, and business development. One of the intern mentors, Korey Harris, co-owner and co-founder of Simple Roots, added, “It’s great for the younger generation to be working in any aspect of the agricultural field. It teaches about hard work, patience, and, most importantly, gratefulness.” Tyson Kongsil, Simple Roots intern from King Kekaulike High School, said, “As I shadowed Korey, I learned a lot about taking care of chickens, how to build a hen house, and what quality looks like in food production. I also learned about regenerative farming practices that enrich the soil to help maintain a healthier way of life for our community.” Grow Some Good (GSG) intern, tenth grader Keala Rodriguez, also shared, “Each day, I did a variety of tasks in the garden that included learning the different properties of plants and how to effectively grow and harvest them. I also enjoyed working with the kids at the YMCA GSG garden. We donated our harvest to them, so my project greatly impacted the community.” To read profiles of all the STEMworks summer interns and see updates about applying for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 cohorts, follow STEMworks on Facebook, facebook.com/STEMworksHI, and Instagram, instagram.com/stemworks/.
To keep Hawai‘i’s agricultural industries strong and sustainable, we need to engage our youth in experiential learning. They are our future leaders.
Britney James,
Program Manager for Agriculture, Education, and Business Development, MEDB
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is excited to host its annual Ke Alahele STEM Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction on October 26 at the Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui. This year’s event, themed “Pathways to Our Future,” will bring the community together to celebrate and support Maui County’s youth as they explore educational and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The evening will begin at 4:30 pm with a reception, during which attendees can participate in the much-anticipated Apples for Education Silent Auction. Adding an element of fun and excitement, the evening will also feature MEDB’s signature STEM trivia game.
Throughout the evening, guests will be inspired by stories from local students who have been guided by MEDB’s comprehensive and free STEMworks educational programming, which includes afterschool activities, field trips, summer camps, and paid internships. These young innovators represent the future of Maui, showcasing the profound impact that community-supported education can have on their lives. Their achievements are a testament to the power of investments in STEM to create pathways that lead to success.
Proceeds from the event will directly support STEM programs, which provide Maui Nui students with opportunities from kindergarten to college and beyond. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to make reservations, visit www.medbpathways.org.
Investing in STEM education is investing in our future. By equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge they need to face a wide range of challenges, we’re strengthening our community and ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for our islands.
The Japanese proverb, Ichi-go Ichi-e (literally, “one time, one meeting”), invites us totreasure the unrepeatable nature of a moment. That was the recent experience of Deidre Tegarden, Executive Director of Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC), who shared tea with the 101-year-old, fifteenth-generation Grand Master of Tea, Dr. Genshitsu Sen. He performed a special tea ceremony at the Wailuku Hongwanji to honor all who were lost during the August 2023 wildfires. It was both solemn and reflective as Dr. Sen presented tea to the altar. After the ceremony, attendees were invited to take tea and sweets in the community hall, hosted by Chado Urasenke Tenkokai Maui Association.
“Prior to the ceremony, Dr. Sen greeted members of the audience, shaking hands and sharing conversation,” said Tegarden. “We had planned to gift Dr. Sen a box of 3-D architectural hand-drawn blueprints of Urasenke Tea rooms from across Japan. These drawings had been gifted to the NVMC by the estate of the late artist Emi Fukuzawa, and we thought perhaps they belonged back in Japan with the Grand Master, Dr. Sen.”
When Dr. Sen saw the drawings, he became quite enthusiastic, pointing out names of his ancestors including one who helped to bring the tea ceremony to the greater community and make it accessible to those besides the nobility. The drawings date back 400 years and are considered National Treasures.
“Dr. Sen insisted that the NVMC keep these historical documents in our archive for posterity,” Tegarden noted. “It is our privilege to be the caretakers of these precious items.”
Chado, or “the way of tea,” is more than an artistic ceremony; it is a way of life with ethical and religious significance. The ideals underlying the way of tea are wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility).
“The spirit of the way of tea has been imparted to people worldwide,” Tegarden added. “The expression, ‘peacefulness through a bowl of tea’ is the phrase that is used to express this goal. It is hoped that this knowledge will reach far and wide around the globe.”
How wonderful if the ideals of the way of tea might further contribute to the attainment of genuine world peace and happiness, the mutual goal of all humanity.
Deidre Tegarden,
Executive Director, Nisei Veterans Memorial Center
The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset recently featured Jenny Worth, Maui Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross, as their guest speaker to share information about the efforts of the Maui Red Cross since the 2023 wildfires. In her role, Worth educates families on emergency preparedness ahead of a crisis and responds to local disasters by providing comfort and emergency resources to people affected. She is also a resident of the West Maui community.
The Red Cross offered Immediate Assistance funds shortly after the wildfires to help with urgent needs like buying groceries, clothing, and other essentials. They have also delivered additional support through their Bridge Financial Assistance Program to many of the hardest-hit residents—those whose homes suffered major damage or were destroyed—as they seek to overcome significant recovery roadblocks and get back on their feet. As of February 8, 2024, the Red Cross has provided financial assistance totaling approximately $24.8 million, reaching thousands of people still reeling from the devastating fires.
“It’s our privilege and responsibility to give something back,” Worth said. “My work gives me incredible purpose, which was never more apparent than on August 8. Vivid memories surface when I remember the night of the wildfires—how my husband, a Red Cross volunteer, opened a shelter, and then as the fire burned closer, woke a local principal so they could move the shelter to a safer location at the school. We helped shelter hundreds of Lahaina residents, some of whom were brought in soaking wet after fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames.”
As the shelter filled up with a mix of locals and visitors, Worth saw her community turn out in force. Thousands of new volunteers signed up in the first two days to help their friends and neighbors. The Red Cross disaster teams and partners remain committed to ensuring families have a safe place to stay and receive compassionate and equitable care.
Reflecting on the outpouring of support, Worth explained, “It’s the concept of ‘kuleana,’ a Hawaiian word that translates as responsibility, but means so much more. It moves everyone to help.” She also shared a reminder: “The need for volunteers is always great.” For more information about how to get involved, visit https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html.
You won’t find another community that shows up like ours.
Jenny Worth
American Red Cross
Maui Disaster Program Manager
On the anniversary of the tragic 2023 wildfires, Maui Economic Development Board joins the Lahaina and Upcountry communities in expressing our grief and honoring the memory of the family members, neighbors, and friends we lost on August 8. MEDB remains committed to healing, community-led economic recovery, and long-term resilience as Maui Nui moves forward together.
Maui artist Joanne Hopper was recently juried into the American Watercolor Society’s 157th International Exhibition in New York City for her painting, Lahaina Banyan Light. Hopper’s work was her heartfelt response to the fires on Maui.
“I painted this watercolor of the iconic Lahaina Banyan Tree in response to the wildfires of August 8, 2023, which utterly destroyed Lahaina town and ravaged other areas of Maui as well,” Hopper said. “The beloved tree was planted near Lahaina Harbor more than 150 years ago and now covers an entire city block, the largest banyan in the United States. It was severely damaged during the fires. All of its foliage, many of its aerial roots, and several of its trunks on the town side seemed gone or damaged beyond recovery.”
Arborists have been brought in to treat the tree with irrigation, soil aeration, fertilization, and compost. Amazingly, the roots were deep enough and the tree was strong enough that new leaves and shoots are beginning to return from the many trunks of this singular tree.
Hopper added, “I and many others see this tree as a metaphor for the strength, resilience, healing, and hope for Lahaina. The light on one of its beautiful trunks in this painting symbolizes for me the hope, future, and continued healing of the tree and people of Lahaina and Maui, a reminder of our indomitable spirits.”
Hopper’s work can be seen at the Viewpoints Art Gallery in historic Makawao town. The gallery’s new show, Lucky Live Hawaiʻi: A Positive Outlook on Living in Our Cherished Islands, runs from July 7 to September 16. It features over forty Hawaiʻi artists and a wide variety of artistic mediums.
“It’s a wonderful show,” Hopper noted. “The show name comes from the popular saying, Lucky We Live Hawaiʻi, a phrase that islanders use to show their gratitude for being able to experience things you could only know if you live in Hawaiʻi. It is not only a well-known hashtag, it also represents local pride and thanks for Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty. The numerous talented artists represented in the Viewpoints show exhibit their breathtaking visions of the Hawaiian Islands. Come and see!”
I am honored to bring Banyan Light to NYC and to be included in Viewpoints’ Lucky Live Hawaiʻi show.
David Sellers, co-founder, president, and principal architect of Hawaiʻi Off Grid: Architecture & Engineering (HIOG), one of the state’s premier multidisciplinary green energy firms, recently gave a presentation as part of the resilient housing and energy panel at the 2024 Hawaiʻi Energy Conference presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB). Sellers discussed HIOG’s residential and commercial architectural, civil, and structural engineering projects, permitting expertise, and in-depth sustainability consulting and design services.
The building and construction industry creates roughly 37% of global carbon emissions globally according to a 2023 UN report. Given HIOG’s unique skill set, Sellers and his team are in a position to help reduce those emissions. The firm’s protocols mandate that all buildings operate at net zero, meaning that once built, they will not be responsible for any net carbon emissions. All needed energy will be produced on-site, offering the owner control by relieving grid dependency.
HIOG’s designs always begin with the site. “We study the topography, the path of the sun, the prominent direction and behavior of the wind, and the annual rainfall at each site,” Sellers shared. “We believe that architecture must respond to the climate and location that it is in. It must work with the site, not against it.”
The American Institute of Architects recently announced that Sellers is the new President Elect of the AIA Maui Chapter, and earlier this year, the Small Business Administration (SBA) named HIOG as a Top Small Business in Maui County in 2023. Sellers’ current project, Kupono Hale, aims to mitigate carbon emissions and support the community by sourcing local materials and labor. In addition, HIOG’s Ohana Hope Village focuses on off-grid energy systems powering the temporary housing project for displaced Lahaina residents.
Sellers concluded, “Knowing the youth are our future, we donate to the Construction Industry of Maui Scholarship Fund, and we host MEDB STEMworks™ interns. Through a new DOE program, we’re also working to make our public schools a safer and more beautiful environment for our keiki.”
Keeping your energy off grid using a combination of Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy sources and green technology will save money and carbon. We believe it is the right thing for the community and Hawaiʻi’s future.
David Sellers
President and Principal Architect
Hawaiʻi Off Grid
Over many years, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the Small Business Association (SBA), and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) have collaborated to offer the Women in Business Seminar Series. The series’ purpose is to introduce local small businesses to information, resources, and networking opportunities. One such resource is SBA’s Minority Owned Small Business (MOSB) Certification, which includes women-, veteran-, and minority-owned small businesses.
“WBEC is one of the official certifiers for SBA Women-Owned Small Business certifications,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “Businesses can get certified as being 51% owned and operated (minority, women, veteran) in order to qualify for special consideration in government and private contracts and to participate in a sponsor company’s Supplier Diversity Program.”
Gary Albitz, MEDB Business Consultant, added, “Once certified, a businesshas many benefits available. MEDB encourages qualified business owners to open these new doors of opportunities. An example on Maui is Brandy Cajudoy from Cajudoy Construction LLC, who has seen the advantages of being certified as a women-owned business. MEDB is available to help anyone interested in getting the WBEC certification.”
Cajudoy shared, “Both the MEDB Women in Business Seminar Series and my WBEC Certification have provided me with an abundance of opportunities…now I am able to bid and obtain county, state, and federal jobs. They have seriously helped my business going forward.” A math teacher for 12 years at Kamehameha Schools before starting her own construction company, Cajudoy does specialized, commercial, and residential construction. Her business was hugely impacted by the Lahaina fires, which eliminated two existing projects. “I have been working to recover and restart,” she explained. “There are few women-owned construction companies in Hawai’i. In order to finalize my certification process, I sat down one day, locked the door, and put my nose to the grindstone to crank out the paperwork.”
Cajudoy concluded, “For a small business in construction, it is almost impossible to not be successful with all the support from the county and the state. I envision a promising future for all WBEC-certified businesses. Take the certification leap!”
