{"id":150715,"date":"2021-10-28T14:31:21","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T00:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=150715"},"modified":"2021-11-04T14:33:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-05T00:33:28","slug":"ancestral-knowledge-modern-science-free-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/10\/28\/ancestral-knowledge-modern-science-free-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecting ancestral knowledge, modern science, focus of free conference"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> navigates a path to a sustainable future, experts are recognizing the critical need to create stronger connections between rapid global innovation and Indigenous innovation. The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation will host, Blending of Culture and Science: A UH<\/abbr> Innovation Virtual Conference<\/a>, November 15–17, featuring experts from astronomy, natural and ocean resources management and innovation. The virtual conference is free and open to the first 1,000 participants. Register online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n
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Doug Simons<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

On November 15, Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura<\/strong>, executive director of ʻImiloa Astronomy Center<\/a> at UH<\/abbr> Hilo, will lead the conference\u2019s first session. The center\u2019s mission is founded on educating the public on parallels between Hawaiian culture and global science, and merging cultural and scientific ways of knowing to inspire more students to advance both. It\u2019s a well-received program that has earned international recognition.<\/p>\n

It is a path that excites veteran Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island astronomer Doug Simons<\/strong>, the newly appointed director at the UH<\/abbr> Institute for Astronomy<\/a> (IfA<\/abbr>) and Larry Kimura<\/strong>, associate professor at UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani<\/span> College of Hawaiian Language<\/a>, who created new Hawaiian word, makaola<\/em> in 2020 to describe the possibility of the detection of life on Venus<\/a>. During the conference\u2019s opening day, the two will join Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura for a discussion on similarities between ancestral modern astronomy.<\/p>\n

Simons worked with both Kimuras and others in the community to help establish A Hua He Inoa<\/a>, a program where Hawaiian speaking students and educators work with Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>-based astronomers to create names in ʻ\u014dlelo Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> (Hawaiian language) for astronomical discoveries made in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n

“The unique blend of cultural and scientific expertise in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> creates a wonderful opportunity to deepen our understanding of nature, on all scales, and help advance ʻ\u014dlelo Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> in the process,” Simons said.<\/p>\n

Other featured speakers joining a panel conversation moderated by Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura include, Kanoe Kanakaʻole<\/span><\/strong> (Ka Haka \u02bbUla O Keʻelikōlani<\/span>, UH<\/abbr> Hilo), Kelekolio Kuamoʻo<\/span>-Wilhelm<\/strong> (UH<\/abbr> Hilo) and Alan Tokunaga<\/strong> (IfA<\/abbr>, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa).<\/p>\n

Conference Sessions<\/h2>\n