Maui team snags fifth trip to National Science Bowl

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COURTESY MAUI HIGH SCHOOOL
Maui High School’s Science Team has won a spot at the National Science Bowl with its recent state victory. Clockwise from left are team members Gabriel Salazar, Christopher Kim, Riley Camp, Bryson Galapon and Steven Okada.

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Maui High School has captured its fifth state title at the Hawaii Regional Science Bowl since 2002 and is headed to the nation’s capital after defeating private and public schools from across the state.

The team receives an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Science Bowl, April 25-29, as well as $500 for Maui High’s Science Department.

The Kahului team was undefeated at the competition, held Jan. 26 at Honolulu Community College. Teams from ‘Iolani School, last year’s winner, placed second and third, with Farrington High School in fourth place.

"I felt that although anything could happen, we had a pretty good chance of winning," said Steven Okada, a Maui High School senior and member of the team, which also includes Riley Camp, Christopher Kim, Bryson Galapon and Gabriel Salazar.

Competitors at the bowl are asked questions in all areas of science, including chemistry, physics, biology, math, astronomy and earth sciences. The National Science Bowl is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ed Ginoza, a retired Maui High science teacher, coached the winning team.

"I enjoy working with the kids, and the kids appreciate what you do for them," Ginoza said. "I’ve had one former student say if it wasn’t for what we did for him, he wouldn’t be working for Microsoft today. Another got a full ride to MIT. For kids the payoff is really, really big."