HAWAIʻI COUNTY ANNOUNCES TEDx COUNTDOWN PARTNERSHIP

HAWAIʻI COUNTY ANNOUNCES TEDx COUNTDOWN PARTNERSHIP
Hawai‘i County, Hawai‘i – For the first time, the County of Hawai‘i has teamed up with
TEDx to host a group of local thought-leaders in conjunction with the TED Countdown
event and summit. The Countdown is a global initiative to champion and accelerate
solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into action. Ahead of the pivotal 26th UN
Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Countdown Summit will unveil
some of the imaginative and scalable solutions that we’ll need to turn the tide on
climate change and create a healthier and more equitable world for all.
On November 13th, 11 speakers from across the state of Hawai‘i will convene to share
their perspective on the event’s theme, “Local Insights Grow Global Solutions.” The
presenters vary in expertise covering everything from energy and technology to
Hawaiian culture, botany, chemistry, and design. The virtual event will broadcast all 11
presentations along with live Q&As and messages from other local leaders on the
urgent steps we all can take to reduce our carbon impact and curtail the effects of
Climate Change.
This year’s speakers include:
● Dr. Greg Asner
● Celeste Connors
● John De Fries –
● Brandon Jirō Hayashi MSc, CEM
● Robert K. Iopa
● Dr. Katie L. Kamelamela
● Dr. Cliff Kapono
● Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani
● Nicole Lautze
● Mahina Paishon-Duarte
● Yishan Wong
In addition to the County hosting the event, a growing list of sponsors and supporting
organizations are getting involved. Na Leo TV, University of Hawai‘i, ASU Center for
Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Hawai‘i Green Growth, Hawai‘i Tourism
Authority, Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, Terraformation, Hawai‘i Groundwater
& Geothermal Resources Center, WCIT Architecture, Hawai‘i Marine Education and
Research Center, Waiwai Collective, Hālau ‘Ōhi‘a, Big Island Grown, the Aloha Plus
Challenge, Hawaiian Electric, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, SSFM International,
Nicholson Hawai‘i, Build Your Dreams, Tinguely Development, HPM Building Supply,
Andrew Richard Hara, BREW, SSFM International, are all on board to show their
support for this inaugural TEDx event.
This event is already proving evident that through organized efforts, strong leadership,
compassionate listening, and a merging of indigenous wisdom with innovative
technology and ideas, Hawai‘i can become the epicenter for a necessary global
change.
You can read full bios on all of the speakers, learn more about the Countdown and
register for this year’s TEDxCounty of Hawai‘i event for free at
www.tedxcountyofhawaii.com.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events
that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks
video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These
local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED
event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but
individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a
four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission
with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world’s leading
thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made
available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall,
Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan, and Daniel Kahneman.
The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia.
TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; TED
Translators, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations
from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. In addition, TED has
established The Audacious Project that takes a collaborative approach to fund ideas
with the potential to create change at a thrilling scale; TEDx, which supports individuals
or groups in hosting local, self-organized TED-style events around the world, and the
TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to
amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.