FOCUS MAUI NUI

02/13/2025

There wasn’t a dry eye at a recent fundraiser for the new nonprofit, Keiki Kupuna (KK), as the group’s children’s choir performed for their supporters. The nonprofit, which organizes live musical performances for kupuna on Maui and offers free musical education to the children in its choir, was founded by sisters Bobby Goldyn, 17, and Cassie Goldyn, 15. The idea of sharing music with kupuna arose for the sisters many years ago when they were still in elementary school. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

There wasn’t a dry eye at a recent fundraiser for the new nonprofit, Keiki Kupuna (KK), as the group’s children’s choir performed for their supporters. The nonprofit, which organizes live musical performances for kupuna on Maui and offers free musical education to the children in its choir, wa...

02/06/2025

Many refer to Maui resident Sue Ann Loudon as magical. In her 40 years of teaching at Baldwin High School, she inspired and changed lives when she founded the drama club, later renamed the Baldwin Theatre Guild (BTG). During a recent Yakamashii Talk Story event at Nisei Veterans Center, host Kathy Collins and Loudon shared stories about those early years, the performances, and the students whose lives were changed. Loudon has mentored hundreds of Maui students, including Wayne Moniz, Lee Cataluna, Eric Gilliom, Amy Hānaiali‘i, Judge Joseph Cardoza, Chris Kepler, and Kathy Collins. Retired in 2005, Loudon was delighted when her former student Linda Carnevale became her successor as BTG director. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Many refer to Maui resident Sue Ann Loudon as magical. In her 40 years of teaching at Baldwin High School, she inspired and changed lives when she founded the drama club, later renamed the Baldwin Theatre Guild (BTG). During a recent Yakamashii Talk Story event at Nisei Veterans Center, host Kathy C...

01/30/2025

Maui resident Christine Sabado’s new book, The Essence of Time: P**e Oʻo, is a journey to Molokai as it was some 55 years ago. The book, published in the fall of 2024 and the first in a trilogy, is an intimate memoir featuring all things Molokai, with a special focus on her relationship with her husband, Molokai-born artist Philip Sabado, and his Filipino family. The themes of the book will be familiar to all Hawaiʻi residents: the importance of family, cultural belonging, and aloha. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Maui resident Christine Sabado’s new book, The Essence of Time: P**e Oʻo, is a journey to Molokai as it was some 55 years ago. The book, published in the fall of 2024 and the first in a trilogy, is an intimate memoir featuring all things Molokai, with a special focus on her relationship with her ...

01/23/2025

STEMworks™, a program of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), is gearing up for its 16th Annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference (HSC), a two-day learning and networking event for students, teachers, and industry professionals. This year, HSC will be held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu on March 24 and 25. It is open to middle and high school students statewide as well as K-12 teachers. Industry professionals are also invited to participate as exhibitors, breakout session presenters, networking event speakers, and sponsors. Read full story in this week's , also published weekly in The Maui News

STEMworks™, a program of Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), is gearing up for its 16th Annual Hawaiʻi STEM Conference (HSC), a two-day learning and networking event for students, teachers, and industry professionals. This year, HSC will be held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu o...

01/16/2025

Something new is changing lives at Venture Physical Therapy (VPT), also known as Venture Rehab. A family run small business started in 2008 and now with three clinics on Maui and the sole physical therapy (PT) practice on Lānaʻi, VPT clinics are the only ones in the state that currently utilize exoskeleton technology from Ekso Bionics. By developing wearable robotics to assist patients who have lost mobility, Ekso is helping thousands of individuals take millions of Ekso-aided steps. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Something new is changing lives at Venture Physical Therapy (VPT), also known as Venture Rehab. A family run small business started in 2008 and now with three clinics on Maui and the sole physical therapy (PT) practice on Lānaʻi, VPT clinics are the only ones in the state that currently utilize ex...

01/09/2025

Junior hospital volunteers, known as Angels, are a testament to the strength and compassion of Maui Nui. Acknowledging that together we can make a difference, the Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) Volunteer Office offers many opportunities through their Junior Volunteer Program. The program, which allows youth to explore various healthcare careers through volunteer work, started in the summer of 2023. Three students from Maui High School with aspirations to become a doctor, an anesthesiologist, and a medical technician were the first students ready to navigate the workings of a hospital first-hand, not just from a textbook. They were soon joined by nine more students representing five high schools on Maui, and that number keeps growing. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Junior hospital volunteers, known as Angels, are a testament to the strength and compassion of Maui Nui. Acknowledging that together we can make a difference, the Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) Volunteer Office offers many opportunities through their Junior Volunteer Program. The program, which...

01/02/2025

A new manufacturing center in Pāʻia was the topic of discussion at a recent Maui TechOhana meeting. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board Inc. (MEDB), and supported by the County of Maui, TechOhana meetings provide an informal networking opportunity open to anyone interested in business and technology topics. The Pāʻia Village Company, established in August 2020, is committed to transforming the historic Pāʻia Sugar Mill into a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing village. The idea to purchase the mill and restore it to a manufacturing center was the brainchild of Dan Ellis, managing partner of Pāʻia Village Company. Ellis and his business partner, Wayne Thibaudeau, presented key aspects of the project during the meeting. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

A new manufacturing center in Pāʻia was the topic of discussion at a recent Maui TechOhana meeting. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board Inc. (MEDB), and supported by the County of Maui, TechOhana meetings provide an informal networking opportunity open to anyone interested in business and...

12/26/2024

12/19/2024

During this festive time of year when many families look forward to school breaks, it is important to remember that for some students, time off from school means lack of access to free and reduced-price school lunches. The Maui Food Bank’s Aloha BackPack Buddies program is working to address this issue by providing students in need with healthy to-go meals for times when school is not in session, including weekends. The program operates in 34 schools on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi and provides over 90,000 meals throughout the school year. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

During this festive time of year when many families look forward to school breaks, it is important to remember that for some students, time off from school means lack of access to free and reduced-price school lunches. The Maui Food Bank’s Aloha BackPack Buddies program is working to address this ...

12/12/2024

Remembering Lahaina, a touching, nostalgic, and beautiful coffee table art book compiled by the Maui Arts League, is a collection of high resolution photographs of original artwork from the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational events from 2006 to 2020 and 2023. It is a tribute to the places, people, and culture of the historic town as well as to the galleries that lost thousands of pieces of artwork due to the August 2023 wildfire. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Remembering Lahaina, a touching, nostalgic, and beautiful coffee table art book compiled by the Maui Arts League, is a collection of high resolution photographs of original artwork from the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational events from 2006 to 2020 and 2023. It is a tribute to the places, people,...

12/05/2024

During this season of giving, we take time to offer grateful acknowledgement of the oldest women’s service organization in Hawai‘i, ‘Ahahui Kaʻahumanu. Its founding in 1864 was motivated by the social concerns of Victoria Kamāmalu (1838-1866), Lydia Kamaka‘eha Dominis (1838-1917; later Queen Lili‘uokalani in 1891), and Bernice Pauahi P**i (1831-1884), who were worried about the poor health and grim social conditions facing native Hawaiians at the time. They believed an organization for Hawaiian women was needed to address these social issues and created ‘Ahahui Kaʻahumanu, or the Kaʻahumanu Society, named after Queen Kaʻahumanu (1768-1832) in honor of her work championing the rights of Hawaiian women. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

During this season of giving, we take time to offer grateful acknowledgement of the oldest women’s service organization in Hawai‘i, ‘Ahahui Kaʻahumanu. Its founding in 1864 was motivated by the social concerns of Victoria Kamāmalu (1838-1866), Lydia Kamaka‘eha Dominis (1838-1917; later Que...

11/21/2024

As the gift-giving season begins, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) encourages the community to participate in Small Business Saturday (SBS), a nationwide initiative that aims to support small local businesses. Also called the “Shop Small” movement, it was founded by American Express in 2010 to promote small businesses during the holiday season and is observed annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“We know that Maui small businesses need our support more than ever as they navigate the effects of the August 2023 Lahaina and Kula wildfires,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB President and CEO. “SBS reminds us of the prime shopping opportunities right in our own backyards.” Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

As the gift-giving season begins, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) encourages the community to participate in Small Business Saturday (SBS), a nationwide initiative that aims to support small local businesses. Also called the “Shop Small” movement, it was founded by American Express in 201...

11/14/2024

Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) recent Ke Alahele Education Benefit event successfully raised funds for local STEM education programs. During the event, the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation (DKII) Award winners were announced. The DKII Award honors students who use their STEM skills in service of their community. This year, Jennifer Goto Sabas, the late Senator Inouye’s former Chief of Staff and director of the Daniel K. Inouye Insitute, presented the award. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News https://focusmauinui.com/award-winning-maui-nui-students-use-stem-to-serve-the-community/

11/09/2024

It's National STEM Day. Read how Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) reflects on and celebrates how far Maui Nui’s STEM community has come in recent decades. STEMworks

As National STEM Day approaches on November 8, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) reflects on and celebrates how far Maui Nui’s STEM community has come in recent decades. In 1999, Senator Daniel K. Inouye encouraged MEDB to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and ma...

10/31/2024

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream non-profit organization, with the support of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, has brought its Always Reading program to two elementary schools in Lahaina this school year – King Kamehameha III and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary – expanding its Maui County presence. The Always Reading program provides families of pre-K and kindergarten students with tablets, a digital children’s library, and local book coaches who teach families how to use the tablet and provide ongoing encouragement, strategies, and accountability. These efforts broaden children’s access to books, increase at-home reading time, and engage family members in their children’s learning journeys. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream non-profit organization, with the support of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, has brought its Always Reading program to two elementary schools in Lahaina this school year – King Kamehameha III and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary – expanding its Maui Cou...

10/24/2024

After moving from Texas to Hilo at age thirteen, Jill Engledow arrived on Maui in 1968 already in love with Hawaiʻi—its land, people, and culture. As an award-winning author and journalist, for years she has written nonfiction about Maui, from news stories to books. After working as a reporter for the Maui News from 1980 to 1998, Engledow turned to freelance writing, mainly about historical Maui events and the local culture. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

After moving from Texas to Hilo at age thirteen, Jill Engledow arrived on Maui in 1968 already in love with Hawaiʻi—its land, people, and culture. As an award-winning author and journalist, for years she has written nonfiction about Maui, from news stories to books. After working as a reporter fo...

10/17/2024

Celebrating its 25th anniversary on Maui, the annual AMOS Conference – renowned globally for bringing together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from space-related fields – was presented in September in Wailea. The conference welcomed 150 middle school students, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educators, and Maui High School robotics students for a Space Exploration Day event run by Maui Economic Development Board, Inc.’s STEMworks team. The students were thrilled to meet former astronaut and current Deputy Administrator of NASA , Pam Melroy, who logged more than 38 days in space while working to assemble the International Space Station and is one of only two women to have commanded a space shuttle. The students also explored the conference exhibit hall and engaged in hands-on STEM activities led by space industry experts. Please read full story in this week’s Focus Maui Nui, also published weekly in The Maui News

Celebrating its 25th anniversary on Maui, the annual AMOS Conference – renowned globally for bringing together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from space-related fields – was presented in September in Wailea. The conference welcomed 150 middle school students, STEM (science, tech...