KIHEI - Many high school freshmen and sophomores already contribute to the community by working, paying taxes and volunteering, and they are invited to join a program that can help them better understand the social and political processes that affect their lives.

The Youth Alliance is a program of Focus Maui Nui. Although free, the Alliance requires a commitment of at least one day a month. In return, students will be introduced to the operations of businesses such as Maui Electric Co.; scientific agencies such as the Institute for Astronomy; cultural and environmental projects such as the Honokowai Valley restoration; and the government. In the latter venue, students will get a chance to express personal concerns to leaders. Also scheduled is an off-island weekend tour to acquaint members with other communities.

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Source: Maui News

Friends of WIT save $200 off registration fee

Do you have a passion for photography? Then pack your camera bag and hurry over to the Maui Photo Festival and Workshops scheduled for September 16-20, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa on Kaanapali Beach.

The first-of-its-kind island event celebrates the exploding popularity of digital photography by bringing world-class pro photographers to one of the world's most photogenic destinations: Maui.

The four-day Festival blends classroom sessions, extended afternoon demo and hands-on session led by more than 20 pro photographers or digital imaging professionals. Each evening will close in our own outdoor theater on Kaanapali Beach.

Of course this sort of festival could happen anywhere. That's why organizers also included optional golden-hour excursions to some of the most beautiful landscapes and seascapes in the world — including a trip to the top of a volcano — to shoot some of the most spectacular sunrises.

Friends of WIT save $200 off the five-day festival registration fee of $695 with code PHOTOPRO through 8/31/2009. It includes an outdoor opening reception with no-host cocktails; three full days of morning keynotes, classroom sessions, and extended afternoon sessions; three more evenings in our outdoor Paradise Cinema on Kaanapali Beach, and a special Sunday wrap-up session. A list of pre-conference sessions are available to registered attendees for a separate fee.

Two-day passes for all regular on-site sessions are available for $395. The Weekday Pass covers Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18. The Weekend Warrior pass covers Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. No coupon code is required and the offer is good through the end of the festival.

Students and education professionals (with valid student ID or credentials) can enjoy the whole festival for $395. Proof must be provided at the event.

For complete information, including a list of presenting professionals and a downloadable class schedule, go to www.mauiphotofestival.com. Kamaaina room rates at the Hyatt apply. For more information email mauiphotofestival@gmail.com or call (808) 283-8438.

Maui County high school students with a passion for photography can earn a free pass to attend a new Maui photography festival in September.

The Maui Photo Festival student scholarship program will award scholarships to ten deserving high school candidates including home-schooled students, as well as 2009 graduated seniors. The award includes admission to the four-day festival, a value of $695.

The Maui Photo Festival and Workshops, slated for September 16-20, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, will blend morning keynotes, classroom sessions, afternoon extended demo and hands-on classes, and photo excursions led by more than 20 pro photographers and digital imaging professionals.

Each evening will close in our an outdoor theater on Kaanapali Beach, where attendees will view the images and hear the stories of presenting pros, learn the latest digital darkroom techniques, and check out the images shot that day.

Photo submissions
In order to be considered for scholarship, students should submit photographic images that they have captured or created in any or all of the three categories listed below. Students may submit no more than one image per category. Images can be either a traditional digital image or a composite (collage) created in an image editing program. (All components of a composite must be the property of the student artist). Photographic prints may also be submitted.

Students may submit images in three categories:
Category 1: The un-Self Portrait
Find something that you think makes you who you are. It doesn't necessarily have to include you in the picture; but it could be something you love or enjoy doing. This should represent how you see yourself, how you think everyone else sees you, or what you think they see.

Category 2: Maui No Ka 'Oi
We all know that Maui is the best, but what makes it special to you? Show us in a picture of something that you think makes Maui, Maui.

Category 3: Special Moments
The people make up the land. It is the culture of Hawai'i. ?The simplest acts can make us smile and remember why we live on Maui.

Essay
In order to be considered, students must also submit a 250-word essay on why they should be chosen to attend the Maui Photo Festival & Workshops. Students may only submit one digital image per category. (Even if they submit three images, one per category, they need only submit one essay to be considered.)

Digital images and the 250-word essay can be submitted via e-mail to mauiphotofestival@gmail.com. If a student does not have access to a computer, they may submit photographic prints along with their essay. Hard copy submissions can be sent to MPF at PO Box 185, Kahului, HI 96733. Hard copy submissions will not be returned. The deadline for receiving all entries is September 1, 2009.

Judging
Student scholarship director Abby Okazaki and faculty advisor Mike Green will assemble a panel of judges to decide the winners. Contest period will be July 6 through September 1, 2009. Winners will be notified Labor Day weekend.

Scholarship awards include admission to the Maui Photo Festival only. Award does not include lodging, travel or any other expenses that may be incurred as the result of attending the festival. Parents of winning minor students will need to provide a signed waiver allowing winner to participate in the festival unsupervised.

For more information, call (808) 283-8438 or go to www.mauiphotofestival.com.

Teachers and students (grades 6-12) across the state recently completed a two-day Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) workshop.

Sponsored by Women in Technology's (WIT) GeoTech for Hawaii Schools initiative, the workshop is part of a statewide series offered on five islands.

"GIS uses state-of-the-art mapping software that takes information like streets, buildings, water features, etc. from a locations database and converts it into visual layers," said Diana Warren, WIT Project Manager. "The ability to see geographic features on a map and visualize patterns, relationships and trends enable planners, analysts and now students, to make informed decisions about their communities."

The GeoTech Hawaii workshops offer hands-on activities and coursework that includes:

- What is GIS and how to use it in the classroom
- How to use ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE) GIS Software
- Presentations from GIS professionals on the island
- GIS career pathways
- How to use a GPS handheld

Upon completion, each participant receives a GPS handheld unit, a jump drive with Hawaii data and lessons, GIS curriculum and resources for ongoing support.

For more information on the GeoTech for Hawaii Schools Initiative and upcoming workshops, contact Diana Papini Warren at the Maui Economic Development Board, 270-6804; Or email diana@medb.org.

GeoTech for Hawaii Schools is a statewide initiative to integrate the use of GIS, GPS, and Remote Sensing into K12 education. WIT is an outreach program of MEDB and funded in part, by the U.S. Department of Education.

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On July 8-9, MEDB's Women in Technology (WIT) Project presented its first Inquiry-based Science Workshop on energy conservation and renewable energy methods for Maui County teachers (grades 5-12).

Facilitated by WIT Project Manager Diana Papini Warren and Dr. Kanesa Duncan, University of Hawaii assistant professor, the workshop introduced an exciting new Island Energy Inquiry curriculum developed by Women in Technology to address our local sustainable energy challenges.

"The overall objective of the ongoing workshops is to help teachers engage their students in renewable energy science," said Project Manager Diana Warren. "They will also make teachers more aware of the wide range of energy conservation techniques available."

In addition to coursework, teachers received customized kits with solar panels, wind turbines, and energy auditing equipment to take back to their classrooms.

Special guest speakers included Leo Caires currently from Entegrity Wind Systems, William Bennett with Energy Consulting Associates, Mark Suehiro from Maui Electric's Renewable Energy Department, and Wayne Axelson. Teachers integrated knowledge from these industry experts into their hands-on class activities.

For more information or news about the next energy inquiry workshop, please contact Diana at 270-6804 or email diana@medb.org.

The Island Energy Inquiry Science Workshop is sponsored by the Women in Technology Project in collaboration with the UH-Manoa's Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) and Hawaii Sea Grant. WIT is an outreach initiative of MEDB and funded in part, by the U.S. Department of Education.

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