10-28-2008, 06:49 PM
THE E MALAMA AINA SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL - FOR ALL OF THE BIG ISLAND
For Immediate Release
Hilo, Hawai‘i -- As turbulent conditions continue -- from Wall Street to the gasoline pump, mortgage foreclosures to the rising costs of grocery staples -- Americans are facing the bleakest of economic climates since the 1940's. The need for alternatives to "life as we know it" are critical.
On the Big Island of Hawai‘i, business and community leaders are coming together to mount the largest 2-Day Expo of its kind, squarely targeting this specific set of challenges, at the Nov. 7-8 event billed as the ‘E Malama ‘Aina Festival (EMAF).
"...We're not sitting around saying, Woe is me. We've decided to do something about it," said EMAF co-chair, Richard Ha, CEO of Hamakua Springs Country Farms.
Produced by the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce (HICC) with cooperation with the University of Hawai‘i – Hilo Conference Center, EMAF brings together business leaders, teams from the private and public sector, farms - big and small, traditional and cutting-edge, as well as schools and community service organizations at one site designed to inspire event attendees. "We've ask people such as traditional Hawaiian farmer Jerry Konanui to offer demonstrations of practices from the ages-old ahupua'a system to share ideas and concepts that can help us today; nationally-recognized renewable energy producer Puna Geothermal Venture will be sharing information about how their work has helped pushed Hawai‘i Island into the #1 spot for renewable energy in the nation; and at 1:00pm on Saturday, one of my heroes, Bradda Skibbs will be leading a big group – mostly youth – out on a beach clean-up here on Hilo Bay," said Ha. It is a dynamic public event with areas for the entire family to become engaged in green ideas.
The site of the event, Hilo's Mo‘oheau Park, will be transformed into a series of thematic "villages," including the Puna Geothermal Alternative Energy Village, the HPM Building & Construction Village, the KTA Localvore Food Court, and live, award-winning entertainment at the HELCO Music Bandstand.
The stellar line-up of Grammy & Hoku Award-winners include Kuana Torres (of Na Palapalai), Keoki Kahumoku, Kainani Kahaunaele, Brittni Paiva, The Sons of Kaimu, and Puna Keli’iho’omalu – all performing onstage at the Mo’oheau Park Bandstand.
Additionally, the ‘E Malama ‘Aina Talk Story & Digital Short Film Festival will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 7, 2008 at the Hilo Palace Theater. The event features the Big Island premiere of the new Jason Scott Lee documentary "Toward Living Pono," and a screening of the EMAF series of shorts, "Big Island Innovators of Sustainability." The documentary on Lee follows his intentional move from the glitz of Hollywood to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Lee and Rick Bacigalupi (director of the documentary) will be on-hand for Q&A with the audience.
"We are working very hard to bring together the best and brightest ideas for a sustainable lifestyle in Hawai‘i," said EMAF co-chair, Steve Shropshire, CEO of Aloha Green and Chair of the HICC Agriculture Committee. "We expect people from all walks of life to attend, become inspired, and to walk away with tactics to make real changes. The impact can be remarkable."
A limited number of booth spaces are available for organizations wishing to participate in the event. Interested parties should email info@malamaainahawaii.org or call (808) 854-0252 for details.
The E Malama ‘Aina Festival is a project of the Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce (HICC). Founded in 1898, the Chamber celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2008. Based in Hilo, the County seat of Hawai’i Island, it serves members from East Hawai’i as well as member businesses from throughout all of the State of Hawaii, the nation, and internationally.
For more information on the E Malama Aina Festival, visit www.malamaainahawaii.org.
rjt
For Immediate Release
Hilo, Hawai‘i -- As turbulent conditions continue -- from Wall Street to the gasoline pump, mortgage foreclosures to the rising costs of grocery staples -- Americans are facing the bleakest of economic climates since the 1940's. The need for alternatives to "life as we know it" are critical.
On the Big Island of Hawai‘i, business and community leaders are coming together to mount the largest 2-Day Expo of its kind, squarely targeting this specific set of challenges, at the Nov. 7-8 event billed as the ‘E Malama ‘Aina Festival (EMAF).
"...We're not sitting around saying, Woe is me. We've decided to do something about it," said EMAF co-chair, Richard Ha, CEO of Hamakua Springs Country Farms.
Produced by the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce (HICC) with cooperation with the University of Hawai‘i – Hilo Conference Center, EMAF brings together business leaders, teams from the private and public sector, farms - big and small, traditional and cutting-edge, as well as schools and community service organizations at one site designed to inspire event attendees. "We've ask people such as traditional Hawaiian farmer Jerry Konanui to offer demonstrations of practices from the ages-old ahupua'a system to share ideas and concepts that can help us today; nationally-recognized renewable energy producer Puna Geothermal Venture will be sharing information about how their work has helped pushed Hawai‘i Island into the #1 spot for renewable energy in the nation; and at 1:00pm on Saturday, one of my heroes, Bradda Skibbs will be leading a big group – mostly youth – out on a beach clean-up here on Hilo Bay," said Ha. It is a dynamic public event with areas for the entire family to become engaged in green ideas.
The site of the event, Hilo's Mo‘oheau Park, will be transformed into a series of thematic "villages," including the Puna Geothermal Alternative Energy Village, the HPM Building & Construction Village, the KTA Localvore Food Court, and live, award-winning entertainment at the HELCO Music Bandstand.
The stellar line-up of Grammy & Hoku Award-winners include Kuana Torres (of Na Palapalai), Keoki Kahumoku, Kainani Kahaunaele, Brittni Paiva, The Sons of Kaimu, and Puna Keli’iho’omalu – all performing onstage at the Mo’oheau Park Bandstand.
Additionally, the ‘E Malama ‘Aina Talk Story & Digital Short Film Festival will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 7, 2008 at the Hilo Palace Theater. The event features the Big Island premiere of the new Jason Scott Lee documentary "Toward Living Pono," and a screening of the EMAF series of shorts, "Big Island Innovators of Sustainability." The documentary on Lee follows his intentional move from the glitz of Hollywood to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Lee and Rick Bacigalupi (director of the documentary) will be on-hand for Q&A with the audience.
"We are working very hard to bring together the best and brightest ideas for a sustainable lifestyle in Hawai‘i," said EMAF co-chair, Steve Shropshire, CEO of Aloha Green and Chair of the HICC Agriculture Committee. "We expect people from all walks of life to attend, become inspired, and to walk away with tactics to make real changes. The impact can be remarkable."
A limited number of booth spaces are available for organizations wishing to participate in the event. Interested parties should email info@malamaainahawaii.org or call (808) 854-0252 for details.
The E Malama ‘Aina Festival is a project of the Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce (HICC). Founded in 1898, the Chamber celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2008. Based in Hilo, the County seat of Hawai’i Island, it serves members from East Hawai’i as well as member businesses from throughout all of the State of Hawaii, the nation, and internationally.
For more information on the E Malama Aina Festival, visit www.malamaainahawaii.org.
rjt
rjt