August 28, 2010: The Alaka`ina Foundation held a blessing ceremony for Ka`a `Imi `Ike, which translates from Hawaiian as the "Vehicle That Seeks Knowledge". This event served as the kickoff for our second bus, which is outfitted with photo-voltaic panels on the roof to power our gear, including a flat-screen monitor and lap-top computers; and a solar fan, which serves both to provide circulation as well as an instructional contrast to the photo-voltaic panels. The bus also runs on locally produced bio-diesel.
Among the distinguished guests present for the blessing were: Senator Daniel K. Inouye, his wife Irene Hirano Inouye, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Maui Council Chair Gladys Baisa, and University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood. We were honored to have Senator Inouye as our keynote speaker, who eloquently spoke of the importance of the high technology sector in the local economy as well as the significance of giving back to the community.