Maui High School Program Gifted With 33 Google Chromebooks

Students at Maui High School are now equipped with new technology to help advance their studies.

The Charles & Mitch Ota Foundation, a Maui-based Hawaiʻi nonprofit corporation, gifted the school with 33 Google Chromebooks and accessories for use by students in the school’s AVID program.

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a program that helps students achieve their college goals through skills development, college preparatory activities, study groups, mentoring and career exploration. AVID students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 and above, have good attendance and behavior, and the potential and desire to go to college.

“Having Chromebooks dedicated to support students in our AVID program is a huge benefit because they can work on their research, writing, and other projects, uninterrupted. It will also help the students research their college options,” said Jamie Yap, Principal of Maui High School.

“Over the years, the Ota Foundation has made a tremendous impact on our school by providing sustained financial support to give students new experiences, like college visits on Oʻahu, and to provide teachers with professional development. Through the Foundation’s support, our school has made it an even higher priority to get the students who may not have been college bound, to focus on their college aspirations,” said Yap.

Lifelong residents of Maui, Charles and Mitch Ota quietly supported hundreds of students in Maui schools during their lifetime, focusing on those who had college potential, and with encouragement and support, would realize that attending college was an attainable goal.

Mitch (Misao) Ota, a former Maui high school home economics teacher, and her husband Charles, a prominent businessman, anonymously provided support, such as sponsoring all-expense paid trips for Maui’s AVID students to attend college fairs and to visit campuses on Oʻahu, and endowing a culinary arts scholarship for Maui high school graduates at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Ota Foundation Chair & President, James Seki, with Maui High School AVID student.

Doreen Mizuki and James Seki of the Ota Foundation, Maui High School AVID student Lauren Joy Ramos and Maui High School Principal, Jamie Yap.

Maui High School AVID student with a Chromebook

Maui High School AVID students with their Chromebooks

OTA foundation profile.

OTA foundation profile.