“… you know the state and federal government, and county governments, have a tremendous responsibility to protect the environment. Because you don’t get a second chance a preserving a valley or beach, or a stream.”
- Senator Gary Hooserwho-lee-ow
n. turning point, time of change
v. to recall the past
Nona "Auntie Nona" Beamer as a kanaka maoli, a child of the land, grew to be an expert on Hawaiiana (Hawaiian culture). Auntie Nona was a noted chanter, composer, author, and the late matriarch of the well-known musical Beamer family. Beamer was raised in Napo'opo'o, Hawai'i. Her contributions as a teacher, performer, kumu hula, composer, and author have undeniably enriched Hawaiian culture and art and have inspired generations of students in her wake. Auntie Nona is world-renowned for scholarship and the education of Native Hawaiian children.
Dr. Samuel 'Ohu Gon III has well over 30 years of experience in Hawaiian ecology. Of those 30+ years, he has been with The Nature Conservancy for over 20. This experience includes biological inventories, research, field ecology, entomology, arachnology, ethology, natural community classification, and biological database management. Dr. Gon's extensive knowledge, combined with his study of oli (traditional Hawaiian chant) and hula with the late kumu John Lake, has helped Gon earn the opportunity to act as Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor at the Hawai'i Nature Conservancy.
In 2006, Gon received the Nona Beamer prize for cultural preservation from Kamehameha Schools, and during that same year he was named to the Board of Trustees for the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program. He was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Board of Land and Natural Resources. Gon holds a master's degree in zoology and a doctorate in animal behavior from the University of California-Davis. His career began in 1986 as an ecologist for the Conservancy's Natural Heritage Program. He then went on to serve as coordinator and then as director of science for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i.
Outside of Hawai'i he has applied his island conservation experience in cooperative projects and workshops in the Galapagos Islands, the Philippines, Pohnpei, Palau, Jamaica, Okinawa and Rapanui (Easter Island). Most recently, he was asked to serve on a multinational assessment of indigenous lands strategies for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and sat with a team of project leaders that work directly with the native people in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
`Aulani Wilhelm has been involved in conservation and management issues in Hawai`i for the past 12 years. Wilhelm is currently superintendent for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest single conservation area under the U.S. flag and one of the world's largest marine protected areas. The monument is co-managed by NOAA, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the State of Hawai`i.
Prior to this, she served as the acting superintendent and the acting reserve coordinator of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, providing continuity of management and operations for the project since 2000. Preceding her work at NOAA, Wilhelm served as the special assistant to the director and public information officer for the Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources. She has served on the Board of many conservation projects and is a well-recognized leader in the protection and perpetuation of Hawai`i's natural and cultural resources.
Dr. Charles “Doc” Burrows has taught science at Kamehameha Schools for over 32 years and is one of the founders of the High School Hikers Club. Burrows is a prominent environmentalist and founded 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi and the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation, which cares for the restoration and conservation of native ecosystems. He has long been fostering a passion of understanding and caring for the environment in his students.
Doc Burrows has been spearheading the restoration of Kawainui Marsh, which is one of the United States’ most important wetlands serving as home to many native birds and plants in Hawai`i. This area is also home to one of Oahu’s oldest heiau’s (a sacred temple rediscovered in 1987). The marsh holds special significance within Hawaiian history, as it was part of the larger Kailua Ahupua`a that served as an economic and feeding resource for thousands. In 2008 the Honpa Hongwanji Mission named him a Living Treasure.
Sam Lemmo is currently the Administrator for the office of Conservation and Coastal Lands for Hawai`i's Department of Land and Natural Resources, an office that he helped establish. Lemmo holds a bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawai`i. In 1999, Lemmo co-authoredHawai`i’s Emergent Coastal Erosion Management Program: Shore and Beach.
Mr. Lemmo has developed a Coastal Lands Program for the State of Hawai`i over the last 12 years and has sponsored several publications relating to coastal and beach conservation. Lemmo helped pass legislation to create special funding to restore beaches in Hawai`i. Lemmo is regularly working to improve comprehensive shoreline policies that improve land use decisions around our beaches so as to protect them from further damage.
Jake Shimabukuro has become one of the world’s most innovative and exciting contemporary ukulele composers and players. Born and raise in Hawai`i, and having toured the world over performing and recording music with such musicians as Bela Fleck, Jimmy Buffet, Ziggy Marley, Yo-Yo Ma and more. Travelling and performing throughout the globe has given Jake a window of insight into just how unique and precious his home environment is.
In addition to the stage and studio, Jake continually takes time to tour schools, senior homes, and free events to share his music and passion for living healthy. In line with his dedication to his musical craft, Jake equally strives to act and encourage others to be conscious of the environments around them and the effects that each of us can have. Like Wyland, Jake uses his art to transform his passion for life, the earth, and living in unison with the land and sea around all of us.
Wyland, the Marine Life Artist, is a leading advocate for marine resource conservation in addition to earning distinction as one of America’s most popular creative influences. Wyland is an accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, and SCUBA diver. He has traveled to all corners of the globe in an effort to capture the raw power and beauty of the undersea universe.
Wyland’s non-profit Wyland Foundation has been supporting conservation programs since 1993. The United Nations, Sierra Club, the Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as both public and private institutions around the world have recognized the artist’s efforts to protect natural habitats and ecosystems. In collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceonography, the Wyland Foundation is actively engaged in teaching students around the world about how to understand and properly care for our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Pauline Sato is the co-founder of Malama Hawai`i, which is a grassroots hui (association) of more than 70 organizations. This broad-based hui works to integrate mutual concerns for the environment, health, education, and culture of our local worlds. Some of the work these groups have accomplished has been fighting wildfires, protecting endangered species, clearing invasive species (on land and at sea), and organizing community volunteer events for beach cleanups, as well as creating public awareness about forested watersheds and coral reefs. In addition to all this, Ms. Sato was formerly the coordinator of The Nature Conservancy’s public awareness and outreach programs in Hawai`i.
After earning a science degree and obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education, Ms. Sato has been invaluable in developing environmental education curricula and teacher-training workshops, running student stewardship programs, and helping create the Malama Learning Center. This center helps bring art, science, conservation, and culture together in an effort to foster sustainable living. Ms. Sato has also been a member of the popular sailing vessel Hokule'a and its conservation missions throughout the Pacific region.
Gary Hooser served the Hawai`i State Senate since 2002. Prior to his political service Hooser was a successful businessman and was honored for his professional achievements by the Kaua`i Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club oh Kapaa, and the U.S. Small Business Media Advocate of the Year for Kaua`i. As an elected member of the Kaua`i County Council, Senator Hooser has been active in the community for many years.
Mr. Hooser was formerly the Hawai`i Senate Majority Leader and is a member of the Energy and Environmental Committee, as well as the Ways and Means Committee. During his Senate tenure, Hooser had the highest approval rating of the Hawai`i Sierra Club and has long been a stalwart advocate for environmental and energy saving issues.
He is currently running for Hawaii Lieutenant Governor.
www.garyhooser.com
Dr. Lynette Cruz currently teaches anthropology at Hawai`i Pacific University. She specializes in cultural anthropology, specifically relating to Hawai`i’s history of both pre-contact and post-contact eras. She has been highly regarded as an authority in the early practices and context of Hawai`i’s early management of resources, communities, sociology, and economies. One of her fields of specialty is teaching the dynamics of the ahupua`a management system, which was the early Hawaiians’ method of dividing and managing land.
Dr. Cruz is also a public access activist and can often be found leading discussions supporting Hawaiian sovereignty as a prominent member of Living Nation. Dr. Cruz is the current president of Ka Lei Maile Ali`I, a Hawaiian Civic Club which honors the life and work of Queen Lili`uokalani through educational and cultural programs.
