Talk Story with Senator Inouye

Hi, my name is Sarah Jenkins and I am the Team Captain and Project Manager  for the Molokai Gleeks First LEGO League Robotics team.

On Saturday August 28th, 2010 our robotics coaches, Heidi Jenkins  and David Gonzales, took a group of Molokai robotics students  to the Maui Economic Development Board's Ke Alahele Education charity fundraiser.  Three members from our team including myself, Momi Afelin, and Lily Jenkins shared our project for this up and coming year's theme - Body Forward.

As we prepared for the event, we had a slight misfortune.  WATER!  The display board for our "Spit it Out" project blew into the koi pond behind our demonstration table.  After we fished it out, we realized the display board was too water logged and soggy to save.  We wanted to cry, but that would have added more water to the situation (LOL). This is when being a critical thinker and problem solver became handy.  Luckily the information and pictures were laminated!  We were able to use MEDB's wood display board with our school's name.  With some towels and some tape, we were ready to present.  It wasn't as beautiful, but we learned that you have to adapt and overcome difficult situations and ho'omau (persevere).  

Later that evening, we shared our project with many important people and public officials... most notably - Senator Daniel Inouye and his wife, Irene.  The Senator listened intently and offered supporting advice.  He encouraged all of our team members to go to college and pursue science and engineering degrees.  He also suggested that after we graduate from college, we should return back to Hawaii to make our islands stronger.   

Mrs. Inouye also spent time listening to our project on the Lab Now.  She was impressed that this technology could use our saliva to detect proteins associated with certain types of cancer.  She also expressed that our research on breast cancer, cervical cancer, and oral cancer was an important topic for women to be aware of.    Both the Senator and his wife promised to exercise regularly and eat healthy to prevent cancer.

Check back soon to read some additional highlights about our meeting with the mayor and other MEDB attendees.