Sen. Gabbard Recognizes the Importance of the Hawai'i Conservation Conference

Recently, Hawai'i State Senator Mike Gabbard attended the Hawai'i Conservation Conference, hosted by the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance (HCA). It’s no surprise that Sen. Gabbard would be interested in this important meeting; he is recognized as a dedicated environmentalist.

For 18 years the HCA has hosted the largest annual conservation gathering in Hawai‘i. The Hawai‘i Conservation Conference engages scientists and managers, educators and students, political leaders and community members in an ongoing dialogue about Hawai‘i’s conservation challenges and their solutions.

The 2010 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, which was focused on the theme Pacific Ecosystem Management and Restoration: Applying Traditional and Western Knowledge Systems, was honored to host Governor Tulafono as a Keynote Speaker. For many years The Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono, 52nd Governor of American Samoa, has demonstrated strong leadership on critical conservation issues. Governor Tulafono continues to be a key participant on the United States Coral Reef Task Force, was instrumental in the designation of Rose Atoll as a National Marine Monument, and has shown true leadership in addressing global climate change impacts on Pacific Island communities.

Sen. Gabbard presented an honorary certificate on behalf of the Hawai'i State Senate to HCA and the Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono upon the opening of the 2010 Hawai'i Conservation Conference. He stated, "Mahalo nui loa for joining together to consider our diverse knowledge systems and approaches in order to best care for our ‘āina and its people, now and into the future."