Dozens of students, teachers and former program participants spoke during public testimony at the Maui County Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee’s residency meeting in Kula, urging continued county support for the Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEM Works after‑school and internship programs.

Petar Kovacek, an automotive program teacher at King Kekaulike High School, described MEDB grants as a “small sliver of the pie” that supplies tools and materials the school cannot otherwise afford. “We’re just asking that that continues,” he said, introducing several students who testified about hands‑on classroom projects and community service the program supports.

Students representing King Kekaulike and Pukalani Elementary described robotics, coding, e‑games competitions and internships as formative experiences that helped them build teamwork, problem solving and career skills. Senior‑project and internship examples included students who repaired vehicles after the Lahaina fires, competed in VEX robotics competitions, and traveled to statewide and international events. “MEDB gave me my first coding class, and actually, it gave me my first real internship,” said Justin Dumlao, an electrical engineer who testified that MEDB shaped his career path.

Teachers and program leaders echoed that theme. Daryl Sato, a teacher with 30 years’ experience, said resources supplied by MEDB let younger students try robotics and move into competitive teams. School administrators asked the council to maintain or increase support so schools can continue to offer the curriculum and mentorship that some speakers said led to internships and paid work.

Multiple students and parents described concrete outcomes: travel to competitions and conferences, internships that led to summer jobs, and the return of former students as interns and coaches. Nevin Wenner, a high‑school freshman who competed in robotics and later returned as an intern, said the experience had “come full circle” and asked the council to continue funding.

At the meeting’s close, chair Yukilei Sugimura noted the committee would consider the testimony and that staff would summarize public comments for members at its next meeting. A committee member also told members the King Kekaulike automotive program has historically received MEDB grants of about $1,500 for supplies and materials.

No formal vote or budget decision was made at the residency meeting; speakers asked the committee to preserve or expand current MEDB support in the FY2026 county budget.