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Students, educators urge Maui County to sustain funding for STEM and after‑school programs
Summary
Dozens of students and program leaders told the Maui County Council during a public budget hearing that after‑school STEM and media programs provide career pathways, mentorship and competition opportunities and urged continued support in the FY26 operating budget.
Students, teachers and program directors urged the Maui County Council during a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets to continue and expand funding for after‑school STEM, media and vocational programs.
“I go to Baldwin High School, and I'm part of the automotive program, and I believe we need more funding,” said Austin Nishida, a Baldwin student testifying in support of his high school’s automotive shop. “Do I stop? … I don't know how much exact money we need, but we need a lot more funding.”
Why it matters: Testimony described how island students use after‑school programs to gain hands‑on experience, college and career exposure, and travel to competitions. STEM Works and Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB)-supported programs were repeatedly cited as providing robotics, media, coding and internship opportunities that students said shaped their education and future plans.
Multiple students described trips and competitions enabled by the programs. “We came back home with 3 awards,” said Quinn Takatani, recalling a student television network competition. Jason Acoba, a sixth grader, said robotics participation led his team to qualify for the VEX IQ World Championships in Dallas. Aliza Angel, a Maui High junior and team captain, said the program “develops collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the workshop.”
Program staff and student speakers asked councilmembers to maintain or add line items so those opportunities continue. Megan Medley, who described 11 years working in after‑school programs, said, “Stem works is not just extracurricular. It is curriculum is kids learning and having fun and building relationships,” and asked the council to continue support.
Supporting details: Speakers described specific program benefits including mentorship, travel to regional and national competitions (Stuent Television Network, VEX, Hawaii STEM conferences), robotics and media training, and early exposure to trades such as automotive technology. Several students noted limited local access to teachers or facilities in other schools and said program funding helps fill those gaps.
What they asked: Testimony asked the council to preserve current funding levels and consider dedicated line items for MEDB-managed programs and school automotive shops to cover tools, equipment and competition travel.
The hearing remains part of the council’s budget review; councilmembers did not take votes at the session. The budget committee will consider amendments in subsequent meetings.
