Wayfinder Lecture series / There are few places in the United States where a discussion about smart social, technological and cultural practices is more important than here in Hawaii, particularly in Honolulu. And while “sustainability” has become a numbing buzzword to most people without a career in agriculture or development, it is now clear that the sustainability approach is a forgone conclusion when it comes to Hawaii’s future. It is in that spirit that Hawaii Public Radio presents the Wayfinder Lecture series, three monthly presentations by people widely regarded as visionaries in their respective fields at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio: The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Nainoa Thompson, social engineer James Koshiba and Hawaii BioEnergy CEO Paul Zorner.

Co-Executive Producer and host of Wayfinder is Burt Lum, who also hosts KIPO’s popular techie show Bytemarks, is subtly effusive about his hopes for the program. With innovations in implementing traditional Hawaiian values in the present day, and social networking and energy conservation and sustainability making inroads into the mainstream, Lum saw an opportunity to create a public conversation about how we might shape our future.

“I was interested in trying to get people into exploring these innovations and how they can impact future generations,” Lum said. “The speakers have unique insight into what can ensure the conservation of resources and a healthy, sustainable future.”

The concept resonated with Hawaii Public Radio President Michael Titterton and Co-Executive Producer and host Beth-Ann Kozlovich, and the show was born. Lum says the collection of speakers came together organically. “These are things that interest me. It was a kind of a mixture of the who-do-you-know thing and who and what are current. From the beginning, there was a great deal of serendipity involved.”

The first lecture features Nainoa Thompson on Thursday. Thompson is a singular figure of pono not just in Hawaii, but among a global community of thinkers and doers who are sought after for guidance into making traditional practices and values relevant for the present and for the future. He’s served on numerous panels and as an expert consultant on a variety of cultural and environmental issues. He is, of course, most widely known here as chief navigator of the iconic Hokulea voyaging canoe, the head of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Chairman of the Kamehameha Board of Trustees. His work has allowed Thompson to focus on educating people about what it will take to create a viable future and manage growth here and around the world. His vision is motivational, if not flat-out inspirational.

James Koshiba has worked with governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies interested in creating public value, which is to say that he is an expert in finding out what’s best for everybody. Educated at Brown and Harvard universities, Koshiba is co-founder of 3Point, a Hawaii-based firm that specializes in creating economic, organizational and political strategies that assist organizations that seek to better their communities. His recent work includes contributing to reports for the State Auditor that examined charter schools and services for special needs students.

One of the most pressing issues facing our state today is energy. The questions about how to develop renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how to wean ourselves from a doomed dependence on fossil fuels are legion, and Hawaii BioEnergy CEO Paul Zorner is at the forefront of efforts to answer these questions and create jobs in the so called “new green economy.”

Nowhere else in the world is finding those answers more important than here in these islands. Honolulu is a major world metropolis on the most geographically isolated archipelago on earth, and our way of life is in serious jeopardy of social, economic, environmental and cultural entropy. The Wayfinder speakers are possibly the best people to lead the discussion about what is best for the preservation of our way of life in Hawaii.

Beth-Ann Kozlovich, executive producer of HPR’s talk shows and host of the Town Square talk show, puts it simply: “I think it’s important for people to hear from the people who have done a lot of deep thinking about the issues we face,” she says. She said she’s also looking forward to broadcasting the show in front of a live audience. Admission to each of the lectures is free but reservations are filling up fast. All things considered, it’s no wonder.

Hokule’a: Nainoa Thompson shares inspiration Part 1

View the rest of Nainoa’s talk on YouTube.

Advocacy 101: James Koshiba closing remarks part 1

Part 2