2009 Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture
Speakers and Panelists

May 20 – The Sky's the Limit: Energy Opportunities for Hawai‘i

Darren Kimura is the President and CEO of Sopogy, Inc., a company that developed a new way to concentrate solar power to create electricity. Kimura, originally from Hilo, began his career in renewables and efficiency in 1992 working as an EPA Green Light Surveyor. He went on to found Hawai‘i's own national energy company "Energy Industries" in 1994. Over his career he created numerous companies and hundreds of green-collar jobs, and traveled the world presenting energy savings tips for consumers and businesses.

June 6 – The Opportunity of Our Lives: Bringing Clean Energy Home

Christine Ervin is a nationally recognized leader and spokesperson on market-based strategies for green buildings, clean energy and climate change. She served as first President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council – home of LEED® and GreenBuild™; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy under President Clinton; and Director of the innovative Oregon Department of Energy; President of Christine Ervin/Company, focusing on accelerating sustainable market transformation.

June 17 – The Poseidon Adventure: A Down-Side-Up Story of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Hans Krock is an Emeritus Professor of Ocean and Resources Engineering at UH Mānoa and has worked for three decades to develop a practical and economic approach to design, build and use OTEC systems to produce base-load electricity, transportation fuel, cold-water air conditioning, and fresh water.

June 24 – Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy Development

Moderator Ramsay Taum is the Director of External Affairs and Community Partnerships at School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) at UH Mānoa, where he also serves as Special Assistant to the Dean on Host Culture. His work in promoting sustainable practices based on Hawaiian cultural stewardship principles and practices is acknowledged locally, nationally, and internationally. Ramsay is Chairman of the Board of Sustain Hawai‘i.

Michael L. Kalekini is the Plant Manager of Puna Geothermal Venture, where he is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the 30-megawatt geothermal power plant. He is actively involved in the community and is a member of the Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai‘i.

As Director of Government and Community Relations for First Wind, D. Noelani Kalipi, interacts with policymakers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, community organizations, and at the grassroots level to increase understanding of the benefits of wind energy in Hawai‘i. Ms. Kalipi was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Davianna Pomaikai McGregor, a Professor and a founding member of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is a historian of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. Her ongoing research endeavors have focused on documenting the persistence of traditional Hawaiian cultural customs, beliefs, and practices in rural Hawaiian communities. This work is featured in her book, Kua'aina: Living Hawaiian Culture.

Myron Thompson is the Founder and President of 21st Century Technologies Hawai‘i, which designs, installs, and consults on solar and wind energy systems and other green technologies for both the commercial and residential marketplace. He is also the President of Hawaiian Homestead Technologies, a Board Member of Enterprise Honolulu, and Board Member of Myron B. Thompson Academy.

Senator Mike Gabbard represents District 19 which stretches from Waikele to Ko Olina. He is Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee and Vice Chair of the Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for the Hawai‘i State Senate.

Representative Hermina M. Morita was elected to the House of Representatives in 1997, representing East and North Kauai. She chairs the Energy & Environmental Protection Committee and is a member of the Advisory Committee on Energy of the National Conference of State Legislature's Energy Project and National Committee on Electricity Policy.

Pono Shim, Kahu and Vice President of Enterprise Honolulu, is the son of Island Visionary Alvin Shim and Political Leader Marion Heen Shim. He is an entrepreneur who believes in the power of story telling to find resolution and direction. He believes that Hawai‘i has all the solutions to solve our problems as well as world issues.

July 22 – Energy and Greenhouse Gas Solutions for Hawai‘i's Economy

Denise Konan is a professor of economics and former chancellor of UH Mānoa. Konan heads the Energy and Greenhouse Gas Solutions of the UH Economic Research Organization, which monitors and models Hawai‘i's energy, greenhouse gas emissions and economic activities. She has been an advisor to the World Bank and Council on Foreign Relations.

Wednesday, August 5 – Biofuel Potential for Hawai‘i

Moderator Maria Tome is a registered professional engineer. She serves as the program manager for renewable and transportation energy at the Hawai‘i State Energy Office of DBEDT; is the co-chair of the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative's Working Group on Transportation and Biofuels; and is a member of the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative's Integration Committee.

Frank Chan is the Operations Manager at the Kuehnle AgroSystems, Inc where he manages the production of KAS seed stock, financial/costing analysis and assists in business development. He has had diverse roles in Research and Development, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Strategy, Marketing, Sales, Quality, Safety and Supply Chain in start-up to Fortune 100 companies.

Kelly King is the Vice President of Pacific Biodiesel, Inc., having co-founded the renewable energy company with her husband Robert King in 1996. Well known as an industry pioneer, Pacific Biodiesel was created to help alleviate the disposal of waste cooking oil at Maui's landfill and became the first commercial biodiesel company in the U.S.

Scott Turn is an Associate Researcher on the faculty of the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai‘i. Over the past 15 years, his research has focused on biomass resources in Hawai‘i and their utilization. He is currently the UH site director for the Center for Bioenergy Research & Development funded by the National Science Foundation's Industry/University Cooperative Research Center program and heads the team developing the bioenergy master plan for the State of Hawai‘i.

Paul S. Zorner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawai‘i BioEnergy, LLC, has extensive international experience and has been a founder of several agricultural and renewable energy-based companies. Paul is also Chairman of Kuehnle AgroSystems (Hawai‘i), Adjunct Professor of Horticulture at North Carolina State and a member of the Environmental Entrepreneurs/NRDC with a focus on clean technology and renewable energy policy.