Public Policy Center > Annual Conference
PPC Annual Conference
At the Dole Cannery Ballrooms on April 24, 2003, the First Annual Public Policy Center Conference focused on sustainability policies -- analyzing the various issues and concerns arising from the increasing number of state, county and community initiatives on sustaining Hawaii’s quality of life. The Public Policy Center acknowledged the rich resources of Hawai‘i --physical, cultural, and human; and invited stakeholders committed to Hawaii to identify public policy options that could forward their work in ensuring that Hawai‘i attains a truly sustainable future.
The conference was opened by Dean Richard Dubanoski, College of Social Sciences, and Interim Director Susan Chandler. Kamehameha Schools Trustee Nainoa Thompson provided a powerful message to participants -- emphasizing
the unique strengths of this “place” we call home and the vision and values that can guide us in making difficult choices and navigating change. Paul “Doc” Berry shared his “Paradise Index” to measure our efforts in sustaining “paradise” for future generations. Participants also heard from Bill Kaneko and Joan White, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, and Carol Murry, Social Science Research Institute, on the Hawaii Uninsured Project 
as a significant model for collaboration in creating a sustainable community. Roy Bahl, Dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, provided lessons on and possibilities for financing sustainability. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Mayor Jeremy Harris and UH President Evan Dobelle shared their experiences and insights to insure a sustainable Hawaii.
Small Group Work Sessions
Most of the work focused on intense discussions in small groups covering the following:
A) media and citizen democracy; B) health; C) diversifying Hawaii’s economy; D) equitable and caring communities; E) tourism; F) energy; and G) cultural and natural resources. Each group examined issue papers sent prior to the conference; and worked together to examine the “preferred futures” in each of these areas as well as public policy priorities and next steps. For more details, go to Work Session Reports.
Conference Goals
This is the inaugural conference of the Public Policy Center -- the first of many to come. The goals of these conferences are to:
• Bring together University faculty and community (business, labor, community agencies) to identify innovative policy and programmatic options to identify and deliberate upon various significant issues of importance to Hawaii and beyond
• Identify research and information needs for public policy decisions
• Connect faculty and community leaders who can contribute to public policies as they relate to selected of importance to the community and world
2003 Conference Planning and Advisory Committee
Co-Chairs
Sharon Miyashiro | UH Urban & Regional Planning Dept (DURP) / UH Public Policy Center (PPC)
James Spencer | Political Science / UH Urban & Regional Planning Dept (DURP)
Members
Peter Apo | Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Puanani Burgess | Pu‘a Foundation
Karen Cross | UH Program for Conflict Resolution (PCR)
Scott Derrickson | State Office of Planning
Tom Fee | UH Institute for Peace
Mike Fitzgerald | Enterprise Honolulu
Steve Holmes | Honolulu Sustainability Coordinator
Judith Inazu | UH Social Science Research Institute
Bill Kaneko | Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs
Gerald Kato | UH School of Communications
Christina Kemmer | Communications Pacific
Mary Lou Kobayashi | State Office of Planning
Bruce Miller | UH Sustainability Office
Luciano Minerbi | UH Urban & Regional Planning Dept (DURP)
Carol Murry | UH Social Science Research Institute
Sanford Murata | Kamehameha Schools
Francis Oda | Group 70
Ira Rohter | UH Political Science Dept
Ramsay Taum | Ala Wai Watershed Association
Myron Thompson | Success Strategies
Jane Yamashiro | Enterprise Honolulu
Conference Support
Alex Gage and Regina Gregory | UH Graduate Assistants
Pat Shields | UH Institute for Peace
Dana Singer | UH Urban & Regional Planning Dept (DURP)
Irene Takata | UH Public Policy Center (PPC)
Yvonne Yamashita | UH Conference Center, Outreach College
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