Applicants Sought for 2014 Inouye Innovation Award

The late Senator Daniel Inouye with his wife Irene and some of the recipients of the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Applications are now being accepted for the annual Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award, awarded annually by the Maui Economic Development Board.

The award was established in 2013, and continues to honor the vision and legacy of the late senator by recognizing a student team that demonstrates the most innovative use of science, technology, engineering and math.

The program is open to Maui County students in grades 6 to 12, as well as high school seniors graduating in May or June 2014.

Applications are available online with the deadline for submissions set for Aug. 5, 2014.

“Senator Inouye was a visionary who saw how important it is to affirm and invest in our students, the future of Hawaiʻi,” said Leslie Wilkins, MEDB vice president and director of workforce development programs.

The inaugural Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award was issued to King Kekaulike High School students Lotus Chen and Sierra Harrell last year for a mapping project that utilized GPS technology.

This year’s award will be presented at the annual MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Grand Wailea Resort in South Maui.