Mapu Quitazol, HSTE Treasurer

As we welcome a new month of the new year, we also welcome our new HSTE Treasurer to the Executive Board, Mapu Quitazol! Mapu, born and raised in Kona on Hawai`i Island, started and launched Women in Technology (WIT), based in Maui. WIT is a Hawaii statewide workforce initiative of the Maui Economic Development Board. Mapu attended college at Maui Community College, currently known as UH Maui College and majored in Business. In her line of work, she has worked with all schools on Maui, as well as Honoka`a High & Middle, Kealakehe, Keaau, Kauai High, and numerous middle and high schools on Oahu. Her hobbies include dancing hula, traveling, going to the beach, hiking with her family, and reading. She lives with her husband, Francis and daughters, Lilinoe and Haunani, as well as her dog, Bullet.

Learn more about Mapu in her Q & A: 

Q : Tell us about your work with Women In Technology. How long have you been working with Women in Technology?
A : I started and launched the Women in Tech Program in 2000. Left in 2002 to pursue another career path and then returned to WIT in 2009. 

Q : What is your inspiration and passion behind your line of work?
A : My inspiration and passion comes from how our programs inspire our students. To see them enter our program from 6th grade and watch them grow into adults and see the career paths they take is inspiring. It’s a great feeling to hear them credit one of our many programs as the reason for them finding out who they are and how to achieve their goals. We have just recently expanded our program down to the elementary level. So it’s exciting to now watch them from littles and continue on to adulthood. 

Q : If we were to catch you on a weekend, what would you most likely be doing?
A : Chauffeuring my child to her dance classes or games, laundry or just lounging on the beach enjoying the day. 

Q : What is your favorite food?
A : Japanese or Italian 

Q : If you could be any object in the world, what would you be and why?
A : A camera. Because of the many places it gets to visit and the memories a camera captures is priceless. 

Q : How did you first get involved in HSTE? What made you want to join?
A : Through couple HSTE members. I wanted to join to meet and network with other educators from across the state. I believe meeting new people and hearing each others ideas help with keeping our programs fresh. 

Q : Why do you think tech integration is important for students?
A : I think it’s important because the world is full of technology. Tech is always evolving and changing every second. And because of this, our students need to feel comfortable with using technology and understand that they will need to keep learning and adapting to change in order to keep up with the job markets. 

Q : What is one thing you’ve done in your line of work that you’re proud of?
A : One of my proud moments is taking our signature all girls camp statewide. Excite Camp is a week long hands-on STEM camp for middle school girls. Purpose is to expose and excite our young ladies into a STEM career. I have been very grateful to find great STEM leaders who are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to come in and present about themselves or provide a hands-on activity. Excite Camp has ran for 17 years on Maui (I have had the pleasure to manage eight years) and has branched out statewide the last four years. It’s exciting when i receive emails from past campers asking if they can join us to be mentors. The last five years i have had returning campers as mentors. 

Q : Any other info you’d like us to share?
A : Thankful to have this opportunity to sit on a board with a wonderful group of minds.

Do you know of an educator you’d like to nominate for the HSTE Member Highlight series? If you’d like to nominate an educator, please fill out the following form: Google Form for future Member Highlights. If selected, the nominee will be contacted via email to answer a few questions for the highlight. Thank you for your submission! Contact info@hste.org with any questions.