The theme of this year’s Hawai‘i Conservation Conference is "Live Today, Sustain Tomorrow: Connecting People, Places and Planet."
The Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance’s 21st annual conference takes place from July 16 to 18 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and is expected to draw about 1,000 attendees from the mainland and Pacific Rim.
This year’s conference is aiming for a broad reach, with topics that pertain to education, culture, law and tourism as well as conservation research and work.
"The idea is that everyone is invested in conservation," said Lihla Noori, executive director of the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance. "It’s everyone’s business."
While there will be sessions on topics ranging from native trees and bats to protected marine species, there will also be forums on tourism and the environment, and sustainable agricultural practices. There’s even a symposium on feral cats.
Many of the presentations examine ways to integrate traditional Hawaiian science and cultural wisdom into today’s conservation practices.
Keynote speakers include Doug McKenzie-Mohr, an environmental psychologist who talks about how to use community-based social marketing to foster sustainable behavior, and Neil J. Hannahs of the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools, who addresses how Hawaii’s unique culture and values shape our conservation efforts.
If you don’t label yourself a "conservationist" but you’re simply curious about the conference, then mark July 17 on your calendar. On this day the conference hosts "Community Connections," which is open to the public from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on the convention center’s third floor.
Jump in on interactive round-table discussions on issues such as whether seafood is safe to eat, water and climate change, island ecosystems, agriculture and food.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., sample locally sourced food and drinks, visit a pop-up art exhibit by Maoli Real Time Arts Gallery, listen to music, talk story with green market vendors and organizations, and at 7 p.m., catch a screening of "Seeds of Hope," a documentary about Hawaii’s local food movement.
On July 18 the awards luncheon will include a talk-story session with a local family invested in conservation work on Oahu. Listen to the experiences of Kapua Kawelo and her husband, Joby Rohrer, who work for the Oahu Army Natural Resources Program, and Hi‘ilei Kawelo, executive director of Paepae o He‘eia, a nonprofit working to restore Heeia fishpond.
On July 19 there will be field trips to Heeia fishpond and Kanu Farms.
The conference brings together leaders from all sectors of the community with a common theme of conservation. It’s a place to connect, share, exchange ideas and get inspired.
Discounted rates are available to teachers, nonprofit groups and students. You may also register the day of the conference. Visit hawaiiconservation.org.
