Hawaii, with its natural beauty and isolation, is an ideal location to host the World Conservation Congress, which starts Thursday and runs through Sept. 10 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The theme of the event is “Planet at the Crossroads,” and the state provides a microcosm of global conservation challenges, according to Chipper Wichman, president and CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai.
“There’s no place like Hawaii,” said Wichman. “We are so spoiled by what we have here, and I think it will inspire people — the beauty of our islands, the beauty of the ocean and the depth of biodiversity that’s here.”
This is the first time the congress, convened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is being held in the United States. Some 6,000 leaders and attendees from the far corners of the world will gather to exchange ideas to find solutions for a world facing a number of conservation crises. Topics of debate will range from ocean governance to oil palm expansion and ecotourism.
ABOUT THE LOGO
The hibiscus logo designed for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 has several layers of symbolism, with each of the five petals representing an element of Hawaii’s unique ecosystem. The red petal represents the archipelago’s volcanic origins, while the orange one features an endangered iiwi bird. The blue petal represents the IUCN’s commitment to the planet’s oceans, purple depicts a voyaging canoe and the green represents kalo.
AT A GLANCE
>> Founded in 1948, the IUCN is a global environmental organization based in Gland, Switzerland, with 1,300 member organizations from more than 170 countries and input from approximately 16,000 volunteer scientists and experts. Working with its partners, IUCN implements conservation projects worldwide.
>> Fifteen Hawaii-based organizations are members: Bishop Museum, East-West Center, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation, Lyon Arboretum, Hawaii Conservation Alliance, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu Zoological Society, Kamehameha Schools, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Polynesian Voyaging Society, University of Hawaii Environmental Law Program, Kua‘aina Ulu ‘Auamo, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
ALL THE PARTS
The World Conservation Congress has two main parts: the Forum and the Members’ Assembly.
>> The Forum, Friday through Sept. 5, offers more than 1,200 workshops, high-level dialogues featuring internationally recognized experts and roundtable discussions. Open to the public but registration is required.
>> The Members’ Assembly, Sept. 6-10, is a global environmental parliament open only to IUCN members, who will debate and vote on formal resolutions and recommendations. Since its founding, more than 1,000 resolutions have been advanced, leading to such landmark treaties as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
NAINOA THOMPSON
President, Polynesian Voyaging Society
“I’ve been around the world, and I can say with all humility that Hawaii is an important school for the Earth. … Living as islanders teaches us that our natural world is a gift with limits and that caring for this gift is critical if we are to overcome the environmental and social challenges we are facing. We will have an opportunity to share examples of action, solutions and leadership throughout our islands that can inspire change around the globe.”
MARJORIE ZIEGLER
Executive director, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i
“The congress is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase what Hawaii is doing to conserve our native wildlife and wild places. The congress is also a venue to call local and global attention to the conservation challenges we face in one of the most fragile and endangered archipelagos in the world.”
The long list of speakers includes chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, whose sailing canoe the Hokule‘a has been on a worldwide voyage spreading a message of sustainability.
Among the world leaders expected are Prince Albert II of Monaco; Princess Basma bint Ali, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden in Jordan; and U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. (Hawaii-born President Barack Obama will speak Wednesday evening to leaders from the congress.)
Wichman said hosting the event will put the state’s conservation issues on a world stage and perhaps inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Potentially one of the most important aspects is that legacy: planting that seed of conservation and inspiration in our youth,” he said.
Around town
As with most causes — even those with global impacts — individual action on a local level can be a catalyst for change. Learn more about conservation challenges here and abroad and connect with like-minded people at World Conservation Congress events, some of which are open to the public.
Die-hard conservationists can go all in for $1,050 (15 percent discount for Hawaii residents) to attend the entire congress. Otherwise, one- or two-day kamaaina passes are available for $75 and $150, respectively. Free public access is provided to art exhibits, booths and pavilions in the main exhibition hall. Events are subject to change; check iucnworldconservationcongress.org for updates and to register.
Opening ceremony
10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Blaisdell Center; registration required
Renowned kumu hula from throughout the state have prepared a collaborative hula performance. The presentation by the Lalakea Foundation of Hilo will begin with a series of ancient chants, including one celebrating the mano, or shark, as a representation of the ocean migrations of Polynesians to the isles.
Some chants were composed specifically for the event, according to Lalakea Foundation managing director Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, and honor the sacred places of Hawaii as well as the birth of the isles. The hula will take the audience on a journey from Hawaii island to Maui, Oahu and Kauai while referring to the volcanic landscape, the importance of life-giving water and the beauty of the Koolau mountains and the Na Pali Coast.
“It’s exciting to know the world conservation community is going to be here,” said Wong-Wilson. “We’re hoping the message we relate to them is not only the delicate nature of our own indigenous plants and animal species, but our Native Hawaiian people, our culture and environment.”
Another message is that taking care of Hawaii is a kuleana, or responsibility.
“Without native plants, hula doesn’t exist,” she said. “Without the sacred places, we as a people would be hard-pressed to maintain our identity, our culture and our language.”
Participating hula troupes include Halau o Kekuhi of Hawaii, under the direction of Nalani Kanaka‘ole, best known for its powerful, bombastic style; Halau Ke‘alaolokamaile of Maui, under the direction of kumu Keali‘i Reichel; and Ka Pa Hula o ka Lei Lehua of Oahu, under the direction of kumu Snowbird Bento.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige will deliver opening remarks along with Tommy Remengesau, president of Palau, and IUCN President Zhang Xinsheng of China.
Meet Jane Goodall
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Ballroom B, Hawai‘i Convention Center; registration required
The British primatologist best known for her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania is part of a session called “Conservation 2.0: Empowering Next Generations.” Goodall, 82, is founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, which seeks to protect great apes and their habitat and inspire individual action by young people to help animals and others.
She speaks on a panel with Rick Bates, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation; Alison Sudol, a musician, actress and goodwill ambassador for IUCN; and others. Paul Rose, a TV presenter for the National Geographic Society, will moderate.
#NatureForAll pavilion
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sept. 7, and Sept 9 in the Hawai‘i Convention Center first-floor main exhibition area; free and open to the public
#NatureForAll is one of nine themed pavilions that will encourage dialogue on topics ranging from water, species conservation, biodiversity and indigenous communities to tourism. There are also workshops on how the exploration of nature promotes wilderness conservation, for instance, plus a screening of “The Islands & the Whales.” Run by the IUCN in collaboration with the World Commission on Protected Areas, #NatureForAll is a global movement to promote a universal love of nature. Participants are encouraged to post why they love nature on social media using the hashtag #NatureForAll.
Visit natureforall.global/iucn-world-conservation-congress for the full schedule.
Explore Hawaii’s natural treasures
Now through Sept. 13 on various islands; open to the public, prices vary
Tour Hawaii’s largest limestone cave on Kauai or look for endangered plants and birds at Hakalau Forest on the Big Island with knowledgeable local guides during IUCN-sanctioned excursions. Other options include a daylong hiking adventure from summit to sea at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site; an interpretive tour of the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s Limahuli Garden and Preserve on Kauai’s north shore; and planting a native koa tree on the slopes of Mauna Kea.
Some excursions are hands-on. In one instance, participants will help pull weeds in the Waianae Mountains followed by a tour and a farm-to-table lunch by chef Ed Kenney at Ma‘o Organic Farm.
Excursions can be booked a la carte, with prices ranging from $10 to $250, not including airfare and accommodations.
Photo exhibit
“Remains of a Rainbow: The Hawaiian Archipelago,” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sept. 7, and Sept. 9 in the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s ground-floor atrium; free and open to the public
Fine-art photographers Susan Middleton and David Liitschwager photographed dozens of endangered native Hawaiian flora and fauna up close and in full color from the main Hawaiian Islands and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for two books published by National Geographic, “Remains of a Rainbow: Rare Plants and Animals of Hawaii” and “Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World’s Most Remote Island Sanctuary.”
For the first time, images from both books will be on exhibit together. The stunning images include the blades of a Kau silversword branching out in full glory, a close-up of a Hawaiian happy face spider, and a comical oopu fish.
Related events
>> He Puko‘a Kani ‘Aina, a creative-speaking experience hosted by the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance, 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, Auditorium 310. Sample locally grown food by chefs Ed Kenney, Mark Noguchi and Anicea Campanale and listen to Hawaiian and Pacific island youths perform stories, poetry and songs reflecting their unique experiences in biocultural conservation. With live performances by Kekoa Kane of Mana Mele Collective and Paula Fuga. Free, but RSVP required at islandstories.eventbrite.com. Call 944-7417 or email coordinator@hawaiiconservation.org.
>> Screening of “Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale,” by Vulcan Productions, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Iolani Palace Coronation Lawn. Documentary film tells the story of an elephant born into a rescue camp in the Botswana wilderness. Free. Round-trip shuttles available from Hawai‘i Convention Center and Hilton Hawaiian Village. Email Lisa Stavros, lisas@vulcan.com.
>> Young Leaders Welcoming Reception, noon to 3 p.m. Thursday at Ward Village Courtyard, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. Kupu Hawaii hosts a reception for young professionals (ages 18 to 35) attending the congress. The informal networking event will include a hula performance, welcoming remarks by Hawaii first lady Dawn Ige and speeches by U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell and Interior Secretary Jewell. Pupu featuring local produce will be served, with live music by Kelandy. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.
>> Youth Symposium, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Le Jardin Academy, 917 Kalanianaole Highway. High school and college students and teachers, along with registered IUCN Congress youth, are invited to this event featuring keynote speaker Maya Soetoro-Ng and Kealoha, Hawaii’s first poet laureate and founder of Hawaii Slam and Youth Speaks Hawaii. Work sessions will look at food systems, zero-waste practices, climate change and more. Coordinated by Wild Kids, a nonprofit organization. Free, but registration required by today at wccyouthsymposium.org.
Attend via social media
Those unable to attend the World Conservation Congress can follow along online and via social media:
>> Facebook: fb.com/2016wcchawaii
>> Twitter: @iucn, @aloha_nature (hashtag #IUCNCongress)
>> On the web: iucnworldconservationcongress.org
>> IUCN 2016 mobile app: Created by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the free app allows registered participants to navigate events, view venue maps and network with other conservationists via a messaging service. Find the desktop version at iucnworldconservationcongress.org/participe/congress-mobile-app.
