MEDB to Hold Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit in August

Attendees at this year’s MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction will enjoy a myriad of STEM-inspired activities. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

“Pathways to our Future,” an annual fundraiser dinner for the Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, at The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Wailea.

This year’s event will spotlight Maui County’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) stars while raising funds for STEM programs in our community.

The reception and silent auction will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a live auction at 6:30 p.m.

“We are very pleased that Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife, Ann, and Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui and his wife, Lyndelle, are this year’s ‘Distinguished Educators’ and will share in the festivities,” said Maui Economic Development Board President & CEO Jeanne Unemori Skog. “Also, having Kanoa Leahey as our emcee promises to help make this dinner a lively evening.”

Proceeds from the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction will benefit a variety of STEM education programs here at home. Courtesy photo.

During this year’s fundraiser, grantees will share the outcomes of our community’s investments in their STEM projects. The popular “Apples for Education” Silent and Live Auctions will offer a variety of items.

MEDB will also announce the 2015 honoree of the Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award, who continues to demonstrate the most innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve our community.

This past school year, the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund awarded grants totaling more than $183,000 to over 25 Maui County schools and organizations.

Funds enabled robotics teams to compete on Maui, Oʻahu and the Mainland; equipped digital media labs and engineering technology programs with the latest tools, software and training; prepared students to compete with national digital media peers; empowered students to map our island’s coral reefs and explore our solar system; and helped expand STEM curriculums in our schools.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser dinner will help to advance STEM education for our youth in Maui County and our state.

Event tickets are $175 per person; various sponsorship opportunities are available.

“Thanks to generous businesses and other community stakeholders, we have touched thousands of students,” said Skog. “Donors send a clear message to our students of the importance of preparing for careers in STEM.”

For reservations and information, contact Maui Economic Development Board at (808) 875-2300 or go online.