On August 16-17, 2008 University of Hawaii-Maui Community College (UH-MCC) and the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) will host the 1st Annual Maui ISLExpo (Island Sustainable Living Expo) on the UH-MCC campus in Kahului, Maui.  The 1st Annual Maui ISLExpo will offer: a variety of presentations and panel discussions from leading sustainability experts; eco-documentary screenings; edutainment and sustainability-related exhibits; and healthy, local foods and Hawaiian cultural learning opportunities. This event will be open to the public.  A significant attendance from a diverse audience is expected.

The Maui ISLExpo will focus on four core themes we believe to be some of the most important and pressing issues needing to be addressed in order to further sustainability on Maui Island. 

1. Island Energy Security – How can we as an island reduce our dependency on foreign, imported oil for meeting our energy needs and instead, provide clean affordable energy to our island residents?;
(Possible topics include: energy business models; traditional, current and emerging energy-related technologies; sustainable local bio-fuel production & processing; grid design & challenges to incorporating renewables; renewable energy production; energy efficiency & conservation; sustainable transportation models)

2. Island Food Security – How can we, as a part of a remote archipelago of islands, reduce our dependency on imported foods and revive local, sustainable agricultural production?;
(Possible topics include: agricultural models; traditional, current and emerging agricultural technologies and practices; opportunities & challenges to agriculture within an island context; linking buyers and farmers; shipping and transportation; export vs. local markets)

3. Island-based Local Economies – How can we promote the development of sustainable, local island-based economies and entrepreneurship?;
(Possible topics include: local food production, local biofuel production, local construction materials production, local eco- and agri-tourism; preservation of host culture; waste recycling/waste to energy; industrial ecology and symbiosis)

4. Sustainable Living Education – What are the most promising current and emerging models, best practices and lessons learned in sustainable living education being used in K-12 to college level educational institutions, which could be applied within our island’s context?
(Possible topics include: education pipelines; K-12: Independent & DOE Schools, Project East, Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance; College level approaches; workforce development; public-private partnerships)

SLIM’s efforts are gaining momentum within our community and we are excited to be a part of the solution to addressing our island’s and the world’s sustainability challenges.  Additional detailed information, including a program agenda, will be posted on the SLIM website (www.sustainablemaui.org) as it becomes available.  Opportunities exist for volunteers wishing to participate in event planning and implementation.  Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities also exist for interested parties.

Contact:
Alex de Roode - Lead Coordinator, 1st Annual Maui ILSExpo
Executive Director, Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM)
www.sustainablemaui.org
deroode@hawaii.edu
(808) 984-3379