Question: Regarding the World Conservation Congress: Will the whole huge nine-pavilion exhibit area somehow be open to the public? Can an ordinary person such as myself walk in and look around at all the interesting presentation stuff?
Answer: Yes. The Exhibit Hall on Level 1 of the Hawai‘i Convention Center will be open to the general public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Friday and continuing through Sept. 9, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Admission is free, although parking is not. Parking also is limited, so attendees are strongly encouraged to walk or take the bus.
The hall includes pavilions themed around subjects such as oceans and islands, forests, water and species conservation, and dozens of booths with exhibitors from around the world showcasing new ideas, sustainable innovations and the impact of their work.
At the Hawaii-Pacific Pavilion, for example, attendees will be able to speak with experts about Polynesian wayfinding, Hawaiian fishpond restoration and traditional fishing practices, to name a few topics.
Besides engaging and educating the general public, the exhibits are a key part of the summit because they highlight issues under consideration by the IUCN. They help inform debates and decisions to be made at the Members’ Assembly, which is limited to registered IUCN participants.
You can find out more about the pavilion themes at 808ne.ws/iucnpavilions and links to a list of exhibitors and map of the hall at 808ne.ws/iucnbooths.
We mentioned that parking would be tight at the convention center, which is at 1801 Kalakaua Ave. If you have no alternative but to drive, check 808ne.ws/ otherparking for alternative paid parking nearby.
Q: Since my boss is making us get hep A shots, does he have to pay for it?
A: No, an employer is not required to cover the cost of hepatitis A vaccinations, which can be mandated as long as certain exemptions are granted, according to the Hawaii Employers Council, a nonprofit association that advises member-businesses.
As a practical matter, though, the council advises employers to consider whether the benefits of preventing the contagious liver disease from entering the workplace outweigh the costs of paying to vaccinate employees.
Medical insurance may cover the full cost for some employees, while others are left with a co-payment or full bill, depending on the terms of their employment.
An outbreak in Hawaii traced to tainted imported scallops has sickened 241 people, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health.
Auwe
Some fabric seats in waiting areas are so stained with I don’t know what. Are the doctors and other owners aware of these unsanitary seats? It would be a good idea if these seats were covered with a nonfabric material so that they could be sanitized daily. I’ve resorted to taking a plastic bag to sit on. — L.Y.
Mahalo
While stopped at the red light between St. Elizabeth School and the “Welcome to Aiea” sign, a young man pulled up next to me and alerted me that my gas cap was still on the trunk of my car. (I had just filled up but must have been distracted. I never have forgotten to put the cap back on!) I gestured a very grateful “thank you” to him, but before I could even get out of my car, another young man in the car behind me had come to my car and was putting the cap back on! I thanked him profusely but felt like I really needed to get moving (now that the light was green) so that the eight-plus cars lining up behind us could get going, too. I want to recognize the kindness of those two young men and thank them again for helping a stranger. May many kindnesses be returned to you! — From the lady in the little white Honda
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