24th Annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (HCC)

He Waʻa, He Moku – Mālama Honua: Caring for Our Island Earth

“He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa”, translates simply as “the canoe is an island, and the island is a canoe." This year's theme highlights the need to treat the biocultural resources of our island home, and island earth, as carefully as we would the limited water and food carried on a waʻa. In Hawaiʻi, like on a voyaging canoe, we must work together to ensure the sustainability of our communities, our islands, our archipelago, and our planet. Effective stewardship will require cultural knowledge as well as the best available science and technology, traditional and innovative management tools, and collaboration between all sectors.

The concept of Mālama Honua, caring for our earth, is being carried across the globe by the Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia, sailing waʻa of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.  At home, we honor their work by striving to leave a legacy of sustainability and reversed decline of natural resources.  In 2016, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress was held in Honolulu, putting our islands on the global stage and compelling us to think of our impact around the world. As the waʻa return home in 2017,  we reflect on our global ties, our legacy for the future, and the work we must do to keep on course. 

Conference highlights will include presentations from impactful speakers, opportunities to learn about different technologies, methods, and approaches to conservation, field activities, and new and strengthened partnerships among Hawaii’s conservation community.

http://www.hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2017-hawaii-conservation-conference