A conference on Maui’s economic future, held over 40 years ago, attracted the participation of Maui’s elected, business, and community leaders. They explored approaches Maui could take to strengthen its economy. Through presentations and workshops, the conferees determined that Maui’s economic future would benefit by diversifying into the high technology arena.

It was believed that the high tech industry would create significant and rewarding job opportunities and an incentive for Maui’s youth to return home. The participants stressed the importance of developing the infrastructure needed to support high tech activity already in Maui and to attract high tech companies to locate to Maui. The conference concluded that the greatest likelihood of success in pursuing this mission was to create an institution whose focus would be assisting the County with pursuing this high tech future. Thus, MEDB was formed.

MEDB remains focused on diversifying Maui’s economy, but over the years has expanded its activities to include support for new and existing businesses and for the infrastructure necessary to ensure a strong economy. To assist in these endeavors, MEDB encourages socially responsible investment in Maui.

Yes. While each county in the state has an Economic Development Board, MEDB was the first to be organized. MEDB works closely and collaboratively with its counterparts on the neighbor islands. The EDBs have also formed a statewide nonprofit called the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii to expand their collaborative efforts.

All of the EDBs have a similar mission: to support economic development in their communities. All are not-for-profit and all work to develop appropriate programs and projects for their counties. As community-based organizations, all EDBs understand the needs and desires of their respective communities and the importance of working with the broadest base of the population within each community. This understanding is core to the demonstrated success of each of the EDBs.

Each EDB is an independent nonprofit corporation with its own Board of Directors and staff. Over the years, the EDBs have worked to support one another and to build economic stability statewide. In 1998, the EDBs formally created the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii (EDAH). Through this new entity, the EDBs work collaboratively on projects that can positively impact both their counties and the state.

Over the years, MEDB has received local, state, and federal funding. It has also received funding from private businesses, foundations, and individuals. More than 90% of MEDB’s annual budget is derived from funds restricted to the development, implementation, or maintenance of specific “projects.” Less than 10% of the funding is non-restricted. Nonrestrictive funding comes primarily from donations and membership contributions. 

No. MEDB is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It is not a government agency. Some of MEDB’s projects have received funding from the county, state, and federal governments.

MEDB is led by a capable, diverse, and professional Board of Directors, comprised of business leaders of small and large companies, educators, nonprofit managers, professionals, and representatives of the public sector. The Board is responsible for the fiscal solvency, policies and programs of the organization. The Board sets the goals of the agency and reviews the progress on various activities. Staff, under the guidance of a President/Chief Executive Officer, handles the day-to-day decisions which are carefully determined to meet the organization’s mission and long range plan.

Since 1982, MEDB has spurred numerous initiatives that have affected the lives of Maui residents and supported Maui’s businesses. Some examples of MEDB’s work include:

• Partnering role in creation of Maui Research and Technology Park
• Development of and continuing program management of the Maui Research and Technology Center, an incubator facility for attracting and housing start up and phase in businesses
• Creation of the Business Research Library and the annual Maui County Data Book
• Maui SEED (Science for Early Educational Development), a program that encourages math and science interests of our school children
• Maui High Performance Computing Center
• High Tech Maui marketing campaign for business development and awareness through events, publicity and tools
• Economic Literacy initiatives for youth and for adults
• Women In Technology project to encourage women and girls into math, science, engineering and technology education and careers
• AMOS Technical Conference series on laser propagation and radar, imaging, astronomy, small and autonomous telescope systems, adaptive optics, high performance computing and orbital debris
• Launching Project EAST, a project-based, lab-based curriculum
• Tech Careers series to orient high school students with available internships and future job opportunities
• Spearheading Focus Maui Nui, a community visioning process that reached over 1,700 residents in Maui County

High Tech Maui is a program created by MEDB to promote our community’s interest in developing a high technology industry on Maui. In collaboration with other partners who share the vision of High Tech Maui, MEDB regularly showcases Maui’s scientific and technological resources and potential. The partners utilize a variety of tools to market High Tech Maui including the quarterly High Tech Maui newsletter, a video on “The Business Side of Paradise,” a meeting attraction program, special events, presentations, and one-on-one meetings.

No.  What was formerly the Maui Research and Technology Park is now LĪPOA.  The name has changed but the vision has not.  MEDB and LĪPOA collaborates on promotional activities that contribute to a diversified economy grounded in innovation industries.  LĪPOA’s development continues under Pacific Rim Land (PRL), one of the Goodfellow family of companies.  PRL has been involved with LĪPOA since the 1990s and in 2020, through its entity, Līpoa Investments, LLC, PRL became the sole owner of the undeveloped lands within LĪPOA. 

No. The MRTC is a state-owned facility, under the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC). MEDB worked closely with state legislators to secure funding to create the Center, which houses numerous start-up technology businesses and a communications center.