April 9, 2016—Please join The Kohala Center at the amphitheater of our beautiful Kohala Mountain campus for our first Waiwai Weekend! Dr. Jonathan Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio will grace us with his perspectives on the waiwai (wealth) of Hawai‘i Island. Jon will share words, music, poetry, and his interpretations of traditional Hawaiian mele such as Hole Waimea and Waikā, offering us a bridge from Hawai‘i Island’s past toward a more abundant and resilient future—for our community and our island planet. This will be an event to remember and not to be missed!

May 9, 2016 (Kohala Mountain, Hawai‘i Island)—Held every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress is known as the “Olympics of Conservation”—the most significant conservation event in the world will take place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center from September 1–10, 2016. This is a tremendous opportunity to share Hawai‘i’s conservation and sustainability efforts and for our local practitioners to network with international professionals, learn from other models of practice and be inspired to build their expertise. Topics will include: Significance of the IUCN and the World Conservation Congress, Overview of relevant events and activities, developing and communicating your island’s “bright” spots and sharing opportunities to participate, including registration options and incentives, exhibit booths, pavilions, special events, field trips, and more. Come hear what is planned, how your island can be represented, and how you can participate!