Fellows mentioned in this story: Meli James

From University of Hawai‘i News:

The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition returned for its 26th year this spring with the support of title sponsors Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) and Hawaiian Electric, bringing together student entrepreneurs from across the University of Hawaiʻi System to showcase innovative ventures addressing real-world challenges through technology, sustainability, health and culture.

Hosted by the PACE in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the 2026 competition featured more than 40 students from more than 20 academic disciplines representing seven UH System campuses.

At the finals held on May 9 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, Makai Aquatics earned first place and a $10,000 cash prize sponsored by HEI and Hawaiian Electric. The venture produces captive-bred Hawaiian reef fish through a distributed network of home aquariums, helping fill the supply vacuum created by Hawaiʻi’s wild reef fish collection ban.

Continue reading at hawaii.edu.