This year marks the 20th annual Hawaii Conservation Conference, a gathering of environmental movers and shakers, put on by the Hawaii Conservation Alliance. As an added bonus, the conference will include a community event with the them of "Protecting our Hawai`i as One" on August 1 from 3 to 8 pm at the Hawaii Convention Center.

In a state where conservation and sustainability are critical to our island chain's environmental and economic health, the community event reaches out to the public to increase awareness and the spirit of kuleana.


Bring family, meet new friends, talk story, enjoy inspiration, envision our future, and celebrate conservation via this impressive lineup of festivities:

• Music by Anuhea, Kawika Kahiapo, and Maori guest artist Maisey Rika. For those new to the music scene, Anuhea is a favorite island performer whose name is becoming well known on the mainland as well. Her bio describes her rhythm as "a delicate balance of fragility, strength and sass. The Hawaiian born singer/songwriter blends engaging lyrics, acoustic soul, pop, rap and reggae."

• Living art collaborative mural with artist Wyland. The popular artist is perhaps best known for his monumental Whaling Wall mural project — an epic series of one hundred life-size marine life murals that spans fourteen countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated one billion people every year. Many of these walls can be seen in Oahu including: Dolphins of Makapuu Point at Sea Life Park, Hawaiian Humpbacks at the Pacifica Airport Center, and Humpback Realm at the Navy Exchange and on the Royal Aloha Building.

• Reunion & renewal of the Hawai‘i Kakou mural project and creative art making. The community mural project envisions an economy with a foundation of indigenous values, and the 10' by 64' mural will be the first native, indigenous art piece on display at the Hawaii Convention Center. From the website for the project, “'An effort like this is only possible through true collaboration; everyone involved committed themselves to being of service to the biggest idea—allowing Hawaiians to have a voice in representing an indigenous mindset,' says Maile Meyer, one of the mural organizers and sister of kumu artist Meleanna Meyer. Other kumu artists include Solomon Enos, Kahi Ching, Al Lagunero and Harinani Orme."

• Delicious food! Slow Food Hawaii and the Aloha Beer Company will be on the scene to provide food and drink samples to the conference's community event goers.

• Traditional native Hawaiian artisans of Aupuni Place. What a great opportunity to stock up on locally made birthday and holiday gifts!

• Conservation film series by Knowledge in Motion. This year's lineup of environmental documentaries include: Ahupua'a - Fishponds and Lo'i, Living Jewels - The Rare Plants of Hawai'i, Ka Wai, Lahui Maoli Native Species, and Ho'ala Hou - A Look to the Future.

• A poster session to hear the latest in cutting edge conservation research.

• The opportunity to talk story with 40+ green market exhibitors, vendors and green organizations.

• Public forums about Energy Conservation and Integrating Environmental Education with Culture. Additionally, this year Hawaii Energy will be on the scene to promote the reduction of oil consumption through efficiency and conservation measures. They will also be awarding the inaugural Hawaii Conservation Award to "honor an individual or organization whose outstanding leadership and innovation in the area of energy conservation has made a positive impact on the health and well-being of our state." The awardee will be honored during the community event.

Join the Hawaii Conservation Alliance along with the rest of the aloha community on August 1, 2012 from 3 to 8pm at the Hawaii Convention Center. The health of our islands is a community effort.