For Immediate Release: July 13, 2007

WAILUKU, MAUI—Kihei Charter School will launch a new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Academy for grades 6 and 7 on August 1, 2007 at a 3,000-square-foot space at the Maui Research and Technology Center (MRTC). The MRTC is a project of the High Technology Development Corporation, an agency of the State of Hawai‘i's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The Kihei Charter School STEM Academy's goal will be to prepare students for advanced science and math work when they reach high school, with the expectation that students will continue on to college for further study in STEM disciplines.

"This is yet another positive development in our goal of bringing STEM education opportunities to all of Hawai‘i's students," said Governor Lingle. "Providing new STEM education programs is a key part of the Hawai‘i Innovation Initiative to transform our economy and raise the standard of living of all the people of Hawaii.

"I want to congratulate Kihei Charter School's Executive Director Mark Christiano and Board President Gene Zarro for their perseverance and unwavering commitment to build innovative learning environments and educational programs to help Maui students prepare for the 21st century," the Governor added.

Important curriculum components at the Kihei Charter School STEM Academy will include critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as information and technology skills. Students will be engaged in relevant, hands-on activities, spending much of their time outside in the field around Maui.

The school will be community-based and have projects that include unique technology and engineering challenges. Students will have opportunities to work alongside scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the MRTC and other agencies.

The Kihei Charter School's STEM program will be expanded to include grade 8 in school year 2008-2009 and move into the high school grades as the first group of STEM students' progress.

For more information, contact:
For more information please contact:
Mark Christiano, Executive Director, Kihei Charter School
(808) 875-0700 or www.kiheicharter.org.

Yuka Nagashima, Executive Director & CEO, High Technology Development Corporation
(808) 539-3601