Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, April 18, 2022

HAWAI'I SUSTAINABILITY WAS ADDRESSED IN PALAU BY MAYOR MITCH ROTH during the Our Ocean Conference. Roth returned from the event over the weekend, after joining Celeste Connors of Hawai'i Green Grown in providing updates on the Aloha+ Challenge and on the county''s efforts to further sustainable actions. Roth attended as the personal guest of President Surangel Whipps, Jr. of Palau.
     Other presenters included United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry who is also former Secretary of State. Also speaking was Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam.
     Roth said, “It was an honor to be personally invited to the Our Ocean Conference by President Whipps to showcase all of the amazing things we are doing in Hawaiʻi to combat climate change and build a sustainable island chain where our keiki can thrive and succeed for generations to come. We truly believe that we can be a classroom for the world when it comes to the vision and practice of sustainable actions,

Mayor Mitch Roth, John Kerry and Celeste Connors at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau. Photo from County of Hawai'i

and creating global partnerships to ensure that happens will be paramount to our success. Fortunately, through the work of organizations like Hawaiʻi Green Growth, we were able to synthesize our approach and gain the attention of global leaders on the forefront of climate action.”
     Our Ocean Conference was held on April 13-14 in Koror, with pre-event receptions and meetings beginning April 12. The Republic of Palau is the first small island developing state to host the Our Ocean Conference. The theme was “Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity,” drawing on Palau’s rich tradition as an ocean society and focused on islander perspectives and approaches to ensuring the health of the ocean.      The U.S. Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs supports Our Ocean Conferences. The statement from the mayor's office said they "have catalyzed unprecedented action by the global community to fight marine pollution, acidification, and unsustainable and illegal fishing and promote the blue economy and maritime security. The Our Ocean conferences focus on the key ocean issues of our time – marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and climate-related impacts on the ocean. In addition, the conferences emphasize commitments for action by participants and other stakeholders around the globe." 

Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani, of Pāhala, traveled to Hilo Monday to help launch the Merrie Monarch Festival with a performance at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses

The old Japanese Schoolhouse in Pāhalaserves as the learning place for Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani, with an Easter and Merrie Monarch Celebration this past Sunday. Photo By Brenda Iokepa-Moses