People’s Congress 2019
PROJECT DETAILS
ORGANIZER: Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA)
THEME: Towards a ʻJust Transitionʻ & The Green New Deal
CONFERENCE: University of Hawaiʻi, William S. Richardson School of Law
RECEPTION: Wai Wai Collective
DATE: November 23, 2019
HAPA gathered 150 participants from across the Hawaiian islands to discuss & strategize advancement toward a “circular, decarbonized economy with good jobs, justice & equity, and zero waste.” What made the day so powerful was the diversity in every room. Community organizers, activists, artists, educators, and elected officials shared perspectives, concerns, & and strategies regarding current past, present, & upcoming issues within our island communities. The Green New Deal & Aloha ʻĀina movement inspired conversations around homegrown approaches that address interconnected climate & inequality crises.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Toward a Just Transition
What are Hawaiʻi’s homegrown solutions to addressing our interconnected climate and inequality crises? How are these solutions informed by Aloha ʻĀina, and the centering of indigenous wisdom.
Maxine Burket, Professor of Law – William S. Richardson School of Law (Climate Change Law and Policy, Torts, Ocean and Coastal Law, and International Law).
Malia Hulleman, Aloha ʻĀina activist and water protector who previously lived at the Standing Rock camp.
Dr. Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, poet, activist, scholar, Aloha ʻĀina, Assistant Professor of Indigenous and Native Hawaiian Politics – University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Josh Stanbro, Chief Resilience Officer & Executive Director – City & County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability & Resiliency.
Walter Ritte, Executive Director – ʻĀina Momona; Aloha ʻĀina activist.
Ikaika Hussey (moderator), Organizer – Unite Here! Local 5.
Aina-based Jobs & Indigenous Economies
Exploring how maoli communities are adapting their practices for a modern context. These “indigenous economies” provide a roadmap for how Hawaiʻi is uniquely positioned to create homegrown solutions to our climate crisis rooted in ancestral practices and values. How might these models be brought to scale while also responding to the uniqueness of place?
Shaelene Kamakaʻala – Board Member, Hoaka ʻĀina Kupono, Kahana Valley
Nick Reppun, Farm Manager – Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi
Charlie Young, Board Member – KUPA-Friends of the Hoʻokena Beach Park
Kamuela Enos, Social Enterprise Director – MAʻO Organic Farms (moderator)
Climate Justice for Hawaii
This panel will grapple with the issues of equity and expediency, resiliency and limited resources that underpin every climate policy being considered. We aim to identify key elements of a decision-making framework that ensures a truly just transition to a carbon-free future.
Scott Glenn, CEO – Hawaiʻi State Energy Office
Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair of the Senate Committee on Technology, represents Windward Oʻahu.
Nicole Woo, Senior Policy Analyst – Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice
Laurien “Lala” Nuss, Resilience & Equity Manager – City & County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability & Resiliency
Marti Townsend (moderator), Director – Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi
Smarter Cities, Stronger Islands
According the State’s Sea Level Rise and Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, within the next 50 years our coastal towns, roads and infrastructure will be under water as sea level is anticipated to rise 3-6 feet. This panel will examine how we equitably and sustainably adapt our in the face of these climate impacts.
John Whalen, Chairperson – Hawaii Community Development Authority
Peter Savio, Developer – Savio Development Corp.
Wookie Kim, Staff Attorney – ACLU
Ikaika Hussey (moderator), Organizer – Unite Here! Local 5
Movement Ecologies
What are the various mechanisms for creating change and how might we understand them as part of a larger movement ecology? These panelists discuss how they are utilizing a variety of approaches: electoral politics, advocacy, grassroots organizing and non-violent direct action to effective change.
Keani Rawlins Fernandez, Maui County Council
Ana Nawahine Kahoopii, Aloha ʻĀina Party
Kaniela Ing – former State House Representative, District 11
Andre Perez – HULI
Vicky Holt Takamine – Executive Director, Paʻi Foundation
G3ND: Gender, Globalization and the Green New Deal
This panel will examine how interconnected systems of colonialism, patriarchy and capitalism have led us to the brink, and how the solutions to these crises must emerge from indigenous frontline communities. This panel will more specifically bring a feminist lens to addressing our interrelated climate and inequality crises.
Ruth Aloua – Mahiʻai; Kiaʻi loko; Aloha ‘Āina; Poet
Yvonne Mahelona, Coordinator – AFI3RM; Kiaʻi
Maile Naehu, Director – Moloka’inuiahina Project; Aloha ‘Āina; Artist; Performer, Educator & Community Organizer
Khara Jabola-Carolus, Executive Director – Hawaiʻi Commission on the Status of Women
Transforming our Food Systems
To advance and sustain, through agri-food system change in Hawaii, the following goals: 1.) ecological sustainability; 2.) social equity; 3.) human health and nutrition; 4.) biocultural restoration of Hawaii land and seascapes; 5.) climate change adaptation and mitigation; 6.) security/disaster preparedness; and 7.) sustainable economic development.
Kamuela Enos, Social Enterprise Director – MAʻO Organic Farms
Anne Frederick, Executive Director – HAPA
Daniela Kittinger, Hunger Coalition Director – Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice
Albie Miles, Assistant Professor, Sustainable Community Food Systems – University of Hawai’i, West O’ahu (moderator)
Energy for a Green New Deal
What do we mean when we say “renewable”? Are we considering social justice? Scale? Carbon emissions? How can we equitably meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals? What is truly “renewable”?
Nicole Chatterson – Zero Waste Oʻahu
Henry Curtis, Director – Life of the Land
Kent Fonoimoana, Kahuku resident and Kia’i
Richard Wallsgrove, Assistant Professor – UH William S. Richardson School of Law
Koohan Paik, Founder – Pacific Earth Institute (moderator)
