Activities

Kuleana Green Business Program Activities

“Integrity and Stewardship in Action”

ANNUAL KULEANA BUSINESS CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW

April 29, 2008

Trade show opens to public at event’s conclusion

Third Kuleana Conference offers bustling itinerary

A wide range of green, sustainable topics were presented and discussed at the third annual Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s (KKCC) Kuleana Green Business Conference April 29 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. The nearly 150 attendees could also browse and network at a concurrent trade show offering info on a wealth of innovative green products like biodiesel. An outside demonstration at noon illustrated the attributes of a cutting-edge hydrogen-powered moped.

The conference is part of KKCC’s Kuleana Green Business Program—the first of its kind in Hawai‘i—which promotes ethical business practices and environmental stewardship. This year’s conference had a bustling itinerary with nine presentations and two keynote speakers. During a locally sourced lunch, Kuleana program founder Michael Kramer, of Natural Investments LLC, received the annual Kuleana Green Business Award.

Keynote speakers for the conference included Benjamin Privitt of Natural Logic, Inc., a national green business consulting firm and Mike Kaleikini of Puna Geothermal Venture, which produces 20% of the Big Isle’s electricity needs and served as the conference’s headline sponsor.

According to Privitt, “sustainability is problematic” for entrepreneurs. “Businesses need a green strategy,” he stated. “It involves mapping your current processes and getting feedback to better assess your resource performance against your competitors.” He suggested attendees visit OpenEco.org for free feedback on their carbon footprint. “Once you know what you’re doing and need to do, you can better get the tools you need,” he added.

Other informative sessions included “The True Meaning of Kuleana” by author and leadership coach Rosa Say; “Looking to Hawai‘i’s Past to Ensure a Sustainable Future” by Ramsay Taum, ho‘oponopono instructor of the University of Hawai‘i and “Regenerative Diversified Agriculture” by eco award-winning Richard Ha of Hamakua Springs Country Farms.

Afternoon presentations covered “Green Architecture on the Big Island” by David Bylund of Architects Hawai‘i; how to “Offset Your Carbon Footprint” by Josh Stanbro of Evolution Sage; “Green Finance: Prosumer Initiative” by Kevin Vaccarello of Sustain Hawai‘i; “Bamboo Construction as a Renewable Approach to Housing” by David Sands of Bamboo Living Homes; “Integrity in Green Communication” by Barbra Pleadwell of Hastings & Pleadwell and “The Proposed Green Energy Zone” by Will Rolston, manager of The Hawai‘i Gateway Energy Center at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority.