Public Talks
Sakamaki Extraordinary Lectures
FREE and open to the public
Yukiyoshi Room, Krauss Hall 012 at 7:00pm on the UH Manoa campus.
Seating limited.
* July 1st lecture in UHM Architecture Auditorium.
Summer 2008 Lectures:
Funded in part by the Shunzo Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Endowment at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation.
Wed, May 28
Healing Images: Connecting with Inner Wisdom
Anees Sheikh
Mental imagery has long occupied an important place in the healing arts of many cultures. This approach was relegated to obscurity for a long time in the West. Dr. Sheikh discusses the healing potential of imagery, especially its connection with inner wisdom, and shares a number of imagery techniques that have been used successfully.
Wed, June 4
Traditional and Modern Astronomy in Hawai‘i
Paul H.I. Coleman
This talk will highlight some of the extraordinary astronomy which is a part of Hawai‘i. It will begin with the Kanaka Maoli's close relationship with kilo hoku (astronomy) and point out some of the events in our history that have led to today's connection between Hawai‘i and modern astronomy. The historical highlights will include stories of Mo‘ikeha – a traditional navigator, Kamehameha Nui, James Cook, and Kalakaua Ali‘i. The talk will end with a look at current plans for astronomy here in Hawai‘i and the speaker's hope for the future.
Wed, June 11
Climate Change and Storm Seasons
Thomas Schroeder
Schroeder, chair of the UHM Meteorology Department and director of the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, gives us a look at the impacts and effects of weather patterns and how climate is changing over time.
Wed, June 25
Embryonic Stem Cells and their Potential Use in Medicine
Yusuke Marikawa
The objective of this seminar is to cover the basics of embryonic stem cells in layman's language, and future possibilities and unresolved issues regarding their medical applications. The speaker, Dr. Yusuke Marikawa, is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Biogenesis Research (IBR) at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Tue, July 1 » UHM Architecture Auditorium*
Documenting Personal and Community History: The Case of the Linen Hall Library, Belfast
Yvonne Murphy
Murphy, Librarian of the Northern Ireland Political Collection, will discuss and present images from this rare and fascinating political archive, comprised of pamphlets, stickers, posters, manifestos, books, dissertations, newspapers, magazines, journals, photographs, film, video and sound recordings, and even Christmas cards and smuggled hand-written notes. Ms. Murphy's presence in the Islands is made possible by a generous grant from the University of Hawai'i Endowment for the Humanities. Yvonne Murphy began work at Linen Hall Library in 1991 and became Librarian of the Political Collection in 1995. She created Troubled Images: Posters and Images of the Northern Ireland Conflict, from the Linen Hall holdings.
Wed, July 9
Easter Island's Ecological Catastrophe and Cultural Collapse: What Really Happened?
Terry Hunt
Easter Island has become the "poster child" for prehistoric human-induced ecological catastrophe and cultural collapse. Today a popular narrative recounts an obsession with monumental statuary—a mania for the megalithic moai—that led to the island's ecological devastation and the collapse of the ancient civilization. In this lecture Dr. Hunt critically examines the later evidence for Rapa Nui that reveals the complex historical ecology for the island—one best explained by a synergy of impacts, rather than simply the reckless over-exploitation by ancient Polynesians. Lecturer Terry L. Hunt, is Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Hawai‘i, and has done extensive work in the Hawaiian Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Rapa Nui.
Wed, July 16
Submersibles, Marine Technology and the Hawaii Underseas Research Lab
John Wiltshire
Wiltshire is acting director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Undersea Research Center for Hawai‘i and the Western Pacific and chair of the UHM Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering. He shares the adventures of the University submersibles and Undersea Research Lab.