Maui High School invites community to celebrate new STEM building dedication, Aug. 16

Maui High School is naming its new state-of-the-art building as the Harrison and Helen Miyahira STEM Center in recognition of the couple’s contributions to the school and community. The dedication ceremony will take place on Friday, Aug. 16, at 11:30 a.m. on the school campus at 660 Lono Ave. in Kahului.

The public is welcome to attend. Light appetizers and drinks will follow the reception. The Miyahira family will be in attendance.

“We are excited to honor the Miyahiras with the naming of this building,” says Maui High School principal Jamie Yap. “This new facility includes three math classrooms, a teacher conference room, an esports stadium and a STEM innovation center. This will serve as a hub for learning, collaboration and creativity, much like Harrison’s legacy of forward-thinking and fostering innovation. It is a fitting tribute to him and his wife’s unwavering commitment to our school’s mission and helping students pursue their goals.”

The Miyahiras are 1953 graduates of Maui High School. In their senior year, the two were student body officers and recipients of the American Legion Award. Harrison developed a passion for electronics at an early age and worked at radio station KMVI while still a junior at Maui High School. He received degrees in engineering from Purdue University (Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering) and the University of Southern California (Master of Science in electrical engineering). Helen Inamasu received her liberal arts bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years. She holds an education degree from University of Northern Iowa.

Harrison went on to found HME in 1971 and initially developed the professional wireless microphone for the entertainment and broadcast industry. He later revolutionized the fast-food restaurant sector with the first wireless drive-thru intercom system in 1982. He holds numerous electronics patents. In 2011, his company received a Technology and Engineering EMMY award from the Motion Picture and Television Academy. HME is currently headquartered in Carlsbad, California. 

In 2013, Harrison was recognized as a Maui High School Hall of Honor recipient with the Silversword Heritage Award, which is given to alumni who are distinguished in life and work.

“It goes to show you can come from a small town and humble beginnings and make a big impact on society,” Yaps says. “We hope this inspires our students to be out-of-the-box thinkers and courageously go after their dreams like Harrison did.”

According to Yap, the new building will support teens interested in robotics, online gaming, electronics and engineering and is designed to enhance the educational experience for all students. Part of the school’s vision for the near future is to have its youth compete in drone racing. 

“This new STEM center embodies the school’s vision of preparing students for future success through innovative learning environments,” Yap says.