Aspiring Hawaii high school innovators learn from experts during Honolulu Tech Week

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Panelists introduced aspiring Hawaii high school innovators to the invention and patent process during Honolulu Tech Week.

Inspiration Hawaii Museum (IHM) and Parents for Public Schools of Hawaii partnered to present the enlightening discussion aimed to break stereotypes often associated with Hawaii students.

“The stereotype of how we have, these guys they are beach bums, they swim, they surf, they live with the water,” said Gloria Borland, panel facilitator and IHM founder and president. “Yeah, fine, but they are brilliant.”

Hoala Greevy, CEO of Pau Box, and Olin Lagon, Chief Technology Officer for Shifted Energy, spoke on the patent panel and shared their first-hand experience in the tech and patent world.

“Tech is one of those industries where it doesn’t matter if you have an accent, you look like me, you look like him, you’re a female, male. It’s so diverse and accepting. It’s really based on your skill set,” said Lagon.

“I really encourage the kids like what you see is around you and what’s real for you is absolutely what you should innovate around or build around,” said Greevy. “Solve the challenges around you whatever they may be.”

Local students met the inventors and panel speakers and were inspired to create their own invention and start their journey in the tech field.

“When you actually meet somebody who’s doing it, then that becomes your role model, that I can be an inventor too,” said Borland.

Honolulu Tech Week took place Sept. 8 to 14 at Pacific Impact Zone Solutions.

For more information, visit inspirationhawaiimuseum.org.