Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 7, 1 July 2015 — Conservotion conference to convene in August [ARTICLE]

Conservotion conference to convene in August

The annual Hawai'i Conservation Conference will be held on Hawai'i Island this year, making it the second time in its 23-year history that it will be held on a Neighbor Island. The upcoming conference, "Hanohano Hawai'i Kuauli" eelebrating collaboration and wisdom

across the Islands' ecosystems, is planned for Aug. 3 to 6 at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is among the event's sponsors. The programincludes workshops and trainings, otf-site visits to conservation projects and presentations of Hawai'i Conservation Allianee awards. Aunty Pua Kanahele will give the opening weleome reception. Speakers include Thomas Lovejoy, an ecologist and George Mason University professor who started working in the Brazilian Amazon in 1965 and helped bring attention to tropical deforestation; Kamana Beamer, president and CEO of The Kohala Center; U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz; and Suzanne Case, chair of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Registration and information is available online at hawaiiconser vation.org/conference. Fees apply. The conference offers a free eommunity event on Aug. 5 featuring conservation-focused presentations, live music by Paula Fuga and Kainani

Kahaunaele, a special appearance by master navigator Nainoa Thompson, a poster reception featuring pūpū and a no-host bar; and MIXed Plate, where chefs will eook up dishes using the diverse ingredients of the Islands.