Meeting the Mayor

Hi my name is Erik Svetin.  Last weekend, I traveled to Maui for a Maui Economic Development Board – Ke Alahele education fundraiser.  I presented my First Lego League project, from the 2009 – Smart Move Competition, about hydrogen fuel cells to a lot of people.  But, my favorite person to talk to was Mayor Tavares. This event was on August 29^th at the Grand Wailea Ballroom. 

Mayor Tavares listened as I explained the technology of fuel cells.  Basically, hydrogen fuel cells are like giant batteries.  As air moves through the fuel cells, compressed hydrogen passes through the anode or negative side of the battery.  At the same time, oxygen moves through the cathode or the positive side of the battery.  Next, the hydrogen and oxygen combine.  This process produces energy which is a form of electricity.  Heat and water are the only byproducts of this process. 

Mayor Tavares thought it is important for Maui County to use more green technology like hydrogen fuel cells.  She also thought it is important for Maui County to use less fossil fuels.  She is the only county person who uses green transportation as she drives around Maui in her hybrid Prius.

If you are fascinated with last year's FLL project on green transportation... keep checking out our blogs as we journey through biomedical engineering.  You will learn more about our team's project on the Robotic Dispensing System (RDS) and how it connects to this year's FLL theme - Body Forward.  The RDS will help people of Molokai and elsewhere to lead happier and healthier lives!