Oct 3, 2012 | Education
Voters have an opportunity on Nov. 6 to elect a woman to replace retiring Hawaii U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. The race for the U.S. Senate seat features Democratic Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle. Hirono is giving up her seat as the Hawai‘i 2nd Congressional District representative in the U.S. House of Representatives while Lingle is seeking to get back into political office two years after completing two terms as governor of Hawai‘i. The candidates have jointly agreed to participate in four statewide televised debates in October. These particular forums provide a chance for viewers to see the candidates together on one stage discussing their stance on the islands’ most critical issues and what they would do to address them if elected.
The four Hirono-Lingle debates are scheduled for:
- October 8, 7 p.m., on KHON, sponsored by AARP.
- October 16, 8 p.m. on KITV, sponsored by Civil Beat.
- October 18, 8 p.m., on PBS Hawaii.
- October 22, 8 p.m., on Hawaii News Now, sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Sep 26, 2012 | Events
The Maui Fair promises onolicious food and lots of fun, as well as engaging activities like robotics for youth and a new Events Arena. For the Fair’s Managing Director Sherri Grimes, the Robo Tech Maui Expo & Competition has brought much pride. The event for high schoolers has increased from just a few teams on Maui to more than 40 from across the state. “Robotics is really near and dear to my heart. Actually everything to do with education and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) is important to me,” she said. Grimes said she hopes the crowd will support the Fair by coming to see the Robo Tech competition. The events are organized by Maui high school students to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and math. There will also be a Lego competition for 4th and 5th graders.
The Fair, now in its 90th year, opens with the traditional parade on Thursday, and continues throughout the weekend with other draws including rides, food, entertainment, horticulture, livestock, photo, art and commercial exhibits. Grimes is expecting the crowds to exceed 95,000 during the four days. This year’s family-oriented fair is built on the theme of “A Timeless Tradition.” One of the newest features is an Events Arena which provides information and how-to demonstrations on a variety of topics from taiko drumming to hula zumba to caring for orchids and pets. “It’s educational. It’s engaging and it’s interactive,” Grimes said. “We’re very much looking forward to it.”
Maui Economic Development Board’s Focus Maui Nui program will return to the Fair where it distributes a survey for residents. This year’s booth will be in the Horticulture section of the gymnasium. The surveys are an opportunity “take the pulse of the community” on core Focus Maui Nui strategies and values: education, environment, infrastructure, sustainable business and cultural values. Free hand-sanitizers will be provided. For more information about Maui Fair 2012, go to www.mauifair.com.
Sep 19, 2012 | Community
With public help and government support, Maui Invasive Species Committee has made inroads in its work to eradicate annoying coqui frogs. Since 2006, 11 of the 17 Maui populations of coqui frogs have been silenced, according to Lissa Strohecker, MISC outreach and education specialist. A crew of five people work weekly from 1 to 11 p.m. staking areas, mostly in East Maui, to eradicate the frogs. “We’ve had quite a bit of success,” she said. “The landowners are always happy when we can get rid of them.” For each populated area of coquis, there are as little as 20,000 to as many as 90,000 frogs per acre.
Experts say the coqui frog was accidentally introduced into Hawai‘i from Puerto Rico sometime in 1988. The coquis’ mating call has become a noise nuisance, reaching up to 90 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a lawn mower. “They start calling in the late afternoon and continue all through the night,” Strohecker said. Aside from the noise, coqui frogs pose a risk to the environment because they eat Hawai‘i’s unique insects and spiders. Scientists have expressed concern that an established coqui frog population could be a food source should brown tree snakes ever make their way into the islands. “It also has an impact on tourism,” Strohecker said. While most reports of coqui findings are in East Maui, MISC worked diligently with Ritz-Carlton Kapalua to get rid of coqui frogs reported by the hotel.
Dale Castleton, owner of Dale Castleton Plant Nursery in Kihei, was one of the first businesses to enroll in MISC’s voluntary coqui-free nursery program. The requirements for participation include agreeing to treatments of citric acid and regular inspections. “It was a lot of work, but it was worth the time to be free of coqui frogs,” Castleton said. To date, there are nearly 40 participants in MISC’s coqui certification program. Strohecker said MISC’s staff depend on visitors and residents to call them at 573-6472 whenever they hear the coqui frog. A location is declared coqui-free one year after callings are silenced.
Sep 12, 2012 | Education, Environment
Hundreds of scientists, astronomers, engineers and a new generation of space leaders are gathering on Maui this week for the 13th Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference. Mike Maberry is among six representatives from the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy who will be attending the 2012 event at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. “The AMOS Conference is the only annual world class space related technical conference held here in Hawai‘i,” said Maberry, assistant director for UH’s Institute for Astronomy. “It provides a great opportunity to network, to exchange ideas, and to get updates on advances in areas of technical interest.”
A program of the Maui Economic Development Board, the AMOS Conference is billed as the premier technical conference in the nation devoted to space surveillance. The mission of MEDB, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, involves taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry and diversifying new opportunities. Maberry said the IfA has been participating in the conference since its inception. He said he attends to represent the IfA for networking opportunities “that may lead to collaborations for dual use technology development.” Scientists from the IfA have written several technical papers ‒ this year being no exception ‒ to share with others attending the conference.
The University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy is the steward of two of the best astronomical and space surveillance observatory sites in the world, Haleakalā on Maui and Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Maberry said the AMOS conference helps keep him updated on the latest in space surveillance. This year’s keynote address will be given by General William L. Shelton of the Air Force Space Command, U.S. Air Force. Also, the conference will host up to 300 Maui middle school students for a session with Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and Space Foundation Special Advisor – Human Spaceflight. For more information, visit www.amostech.com.
Sep 5, 2012 | Innovation
Moloka‘i elementary, middle and high school students are on the cutting-edge of technology, thanks, in part, to teacher Kawika Gonzales and to grants from Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund. For the past two years, Gonzales has been teaching the students computer-aided design in a weekly after-school program. Gonzales told supporters at this year’s annual Ke Alahele dinner: “Through your support this past year, we have upgraded our program of Google Sketchup to Google Sketchup Pro, not only for our island, but for students throughout the entire state.” He added, “Students are designing rooms, houses, objects, towns and even entire cities to scale!”
Gonzales said that this past summer he was able to teach a Google Sketchup class on Maui to middle and high school students from around Maui County. “Even as beginners, they were already making fully furnished homes and designing bridges,” he said. Gonzales said the Google program increases students’ engagement and makes learning exciting. “Learning about geometry, measurement and fractions becomes fun when we are able to work with programs such as those funded by this organization,” he said. “As an educator, it makes my job a lot easier when I have the right tools to expand our students’ learning.”
This year, the Ke Alahele Fund raised a record $338,046 at its annual dinner event held Aug. 18 at the Grand Wailea Resort. Gonzales said he would have not been able to teach technology without MEDB support. “I think my job is to give the students opportunities to use their gifts, their talents … I’m able to do that because of community support.” Having taught for 12 years, Gonzales said he has grown as an educator who started with producing and editing videos to developing the website for Kaunakakai Elementary School. He said he’s proud of how students on Moloka‘i are progressing. “They have a flair for it, a natural ability, a natural talent for technology.” For more information about MEDB and its Ke Alahele Fund, call 875-2300 or visit www.medb.org.
Aug 29, 2012 | Community
Maui High School senior Cyndi Segundo leaves home for college this fall, but sustains a strong desire to come back one day. “The Youth Alliance inspired me to return to Maui and give back to the community that has nurtured me since I was a small child,” said Segundo, a member of the Class of 2012. She spent four years participating in a wide range of activities with the Youth Alliance, administered by Maui Economic Development Board. “Youth Alliance has been beneficial to me because it helped me develop my leadership skills by designing activities that make me think, ask questions and find solutions.”
Youth Alliance members are encouraged to become leaders for change as they are guided by the Focus Maui Nui vision, values and key strategies for action. In her four years with the Youth Alliance, Segundo has interacted with the Maui County Council. She’s ridden a boat off Ma‘alaea Harbor to view whales and dolphins, taken an overnight trip to Hana and spent a day at The Maui News to see how the island’s only daily newspaper operates. “Each event is a learning experience,” she said. Youth Alliance Project Coordinator Willow Krause looks at what students are interested in and tries to coordinate community service projects and/or educational excursions that will empower them to engage in local events. This past year, students assisted with the annual Maui Food Bank food drive and they provided input at a community forum on revitalizing Wailuku town.
“Students should consider joining Youth Alliance because it’s a way to learn more about the community and what they can do to help,” Segundo said. “Each activity is directed by individuals who are successful in their own fields, which gives students the chance to work with professionals who are willing to share their experiences.” To participate, students must be attending school in grades 9 through 12; the program is also available for home schooled teenagers. For more information, contact Krause at 875-2432, or e-mail: willow@medb.org Deadline to register is Sept. 7.
Aug 22, 2012 | Community
The island’s indigent and uninsured are amongst those being encouraged to take advantage of free health screenings being offered by a group of medical professionals. “Early detection of medical issues can make the difference between life and death,” said Dr. Marcus Griffin, founder of a yearly free screening clinic on Maui. “We are concerned that many people delay visiting doctors because they worry about the cost of a check-up. Our free clinic addresses that concern. It will give people peace of mind and provide early medical intervention for patients who need help.”
The free health screening clinic is set 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center in the Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center. The clinic will provide cardiology, pulmonary, dermatology, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology, and general health screenings. Blood analysis also will be available along with X-rays, physical therapy, and massage therapy. This is the third year the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center has provided the service. More than 100 people have already taken advantage of the free screening clinics. “People without medical insurance are most at risk of delaying or even foregoing check-ups,” Griffin said. “We want to address that need. “It’s all part of wanting to help our community,” Griffin said. “Our medical center’s mission statement is: ‘Working together to care for our community.’”
The Kihei-Wailea Medical Center is located at the Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center, 221 Pi’ikea Ave., Suite A, Kihei 96753. For more information, call 874-8100. The free clinic’s participating providers include: Kihei-Wailea Medical Center, Clinical Labs of Hawaii, Maui Diagnostic Imaging, Bodies in Motion Physical Therapy, Premier Physical Therapy, Kihei Safeway, Maui Chest Medicine, Dr. Melvin Burton, Dr. Peter Muthard and staff, The Women’s Health Center of Maui, Dr. Benjamin Berry and staff, Aloha Eye Clinic, Dr. Jivin Tantisira and staff, Dermatology and Laser Center of Maui, Dr. George Martin and staff, cardiologist Dr. Howard Barbarosh and Erika Oleska, owner of Green Ti massage therapy.
Aug 15, 2012 | Education, Stemworks
Three months into the job and already Maui Electric Co. (MECO) President Sharon Suzuki has thrown her and her company’s support behind Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM education projects. “Empowering our future leaders with strong skill sets in STEM-related disciplines is crucial to realizing our clean energy goals,” Suzuki said. “MECO strongly supports STEM-driven programs that engage and encourage Hawaii’s youth to achieve academic excellence.”
Suzuki’s remarks back MECO’s role as a principle sponsor at the upcoming Maui Economic Development Board Ke Alahele Education dinner. The event raises thousands of dollars to support MEDB’s STEM education initiatives. Suzuki said she and her staff merge science and technology, engineering and math to get their jobs done and provide the island its energy resources. “At the heart of our company is innovation in STEM applications that are foundational as we transition from oil to clean sources of energy,” Suzuki said. A graduate of Castle High School on Oahu, Suzuki is a certified energy manager with a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from California State University at Fullerton and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Japanese from the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming president, Suzuki served as MECO’s manager of renewable energy services and worked as its manager of customer service. At Hawaiian Electric Co., Suzuki was employed as the director of customer account services and manager of their energy efficiency program.
Hundreds of STEM supporters have already reserved seats at the annual Ke Alahele Education Fund dinner and auction on August 18 at the Grand Wailea Resort. Reception begins at 4:30 p.m. with dinner following at 6:30 p.m. For more information on the event, go to www.medb.org or call 875-2300. “The economic vitality of our Maui, Lana‘i and Moloka‘i communities determine the resiliency of our people. We believe in MEDB’s programs because they have proven results through young adults whose success is due in part to the opportunities provided by this organization,” Suzuki said.
Aug 8, 2012 | Education
Tom Norton inspires students intrigued by robots and colored plastic toy bricks to get them interested in the field of technology and creative learning. “You get ‘em hooked somehow,” said Norton, Lahaina Intermediate School’s technology coordinator. Norton exchanged his job as a math teacher a few years ago for his current role, taking charge of the campus’ technological needs and its teams of students competing in both robotics and the First Lego League competition. “It is something I enjoy,” he said. He said enrollment and interest in the elective technology class has increased from a dozen last year to about 17 students in just the first three days of this school year.
Norton said he’s received professional training and support through workshops sponsored by Maui Economic Development Board. Because of the MEDB training, Norton said he’s found confidence in his role as coach for the robotics and Lego League teams who have earned spots in state level competition. Norton has also been effective in providing technical assistance and guidance whenever his 6th, 7th and 8th graders find roadblocks in tasks such as building robots or competing with Lego pieces. “I think you’d have a greater dropout from the adults,” Norton said, had the technical support from MEDB been unavailable. He said Lahaina Intermediate also received money from MEDB to order the school’s first set of robotic equipment about five years ago, as well as funds to offset travel expenses for offisland competitions.
In his role as coach and teacher, Norton said he subscribes to the philosophy “to let the kids do the work.” He steps in whenever students need guidance or get stuck on a technical problem. “I give them a lot of leeway to succeed — and also make mistakes,” Norton said. He said while students gain a lot of skills in technology, they also learn how to work together and how to be creative on projects from designing contest T-shirts to outlining presentations for judges. “This is a perfect opportunity for them to explore.” Tickets for MEDB’s annual Ke Alahele Education Fund dinner are available by calling 875-2300 or go to: www.medb.org. The benefit dinner is set for August 18 at the Grand Wailea Resort.
Aug 1, 2012 | Environment
Husband and wife ‘Iliahi and Haunani Paredes said they demand hard work, dedication and sacrifice as kumu hula of the award-winning Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi. The couple formed the hālau in October 2004 with the mission to preserve and perpetuate the “beautiful art form of hula.” Haunani Paredes adds: “The hula touches all aspects of the Hawai‘i culture, and through the hula, we promote other facets of our complex culture like the language, chant, history and crafts.” The hālau has 200 members who range in age from three to 70 and older.
In its seven years, the hālau has performed on Maui, on O‘ahu, on the East Coast and at international venues. Dancers have competed and won numerous awards at prestigious events including its first hula competition in 2005 at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel’s Hula O Nā Keiki Competition on Maui and the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island. ‘Iliahi Paredes said he and his wife stress that “the greatest victory is for us to see our students blossom before our eyes. To know that hula has made our students better people in the community makes the hard work and sacrifice worth it.” Besides competitions and festivals, the hālau has entertained at local nonprofit fundraisers, the Maui Ag Festival and the Hawaiian Civic Club’s Holokū Ball.
The Paredes say hula touches people’s soul and hālau participation is not limited to race, age or gender. The couple also readily admits that it isn’t easy to be a member of their hālau. “Only the strong survive,” ‘Iliahi said, adding that hula takes a back seat to a performer’s education. Students failing in school are not allowed to participate in hula classes or events. “Our hope is that hula can coexist harmoniously with family, work, and school,” Haunani said. “We tell parents that we support positive educational decisions for their children, and if we can assist in any way, we will help,” ‘Iliahi adds.
