Up to $2K available for Maui County student projects in water, food innovation

University of 鶹ý at Mānoa
Contact:
Patrick Williams, 808-256-7181
Community Engagement and Communications, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilien
Posted: Feb 17, 2026


Hawaiʻi students have the opportunity to shape Maui County’s future by designing and building local solutions for water harvesting and sustainable food production through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) “” grant program

Supported by a grant from the Maui County Department of Agriculture, the challenge asks middle school, high school and undergraduate students to develop small-scale projects that can be expanded in two categories:

  • Engineering systems to capture, store, or reuse water, particularly from the air.
  • Reimagining food production through vertical or container-based agricultural systems.

“This is an opportunity for the next generation of problem solvers to take the lead in Maui Nui’s resilience,” said Surendra Dara, CTAHR Maui County administrator. “The challenge gives students the resources to turn their vision for a sustainable Hawaiʻi into a working reality.”

Project details

  • Eligibility: The challenge is open to individual students (middle school to undergraduate) or teams based in Maui County. .
  • Mentoring: All participants must be guided by a mentor, such as a teacher, parent, or professional with engineering or agriculture experience.
  • Application: .

Selected teams may receive up to $2,000 in reimbursable funds for materials and other project-related expenses.