Attended TEDx Honolulu today at the Cupola Theater in the Honolulu Design Center. It was an amazing conference. I was very fortunate and blessed to have had this opportunity. The presenters were inspiring, and the organizers put on a great event!
Here is the link to my post about my experience on my personal blog.
The theme was “It’s About Time…” Here are some of the highlights:
Dr. Michael Liu, Mauna Kea astronomer, likened the telescope to a “time machine.” He said that in the past decade, we learned about stars. In the next decade, we’ll be learning about planets.
Edgy Lee, filmmaker, spoke about the tsunamis that killed over 200,000 in Indonesia. There was an island with a “primitive” tribe. They had a 100% survival rate. She coined the term “indigenous wisdom.”
Every “SmallTown, USA” has an ordinary person with extraordinary wisdom. Those are the people whom she would like to document.
Vivian Best spoke about collecting fresh produce at the Farmers Market to donate to the needy. Now, customers even donate boxes of fresh fruit from their yards. Vendors also donate unsellable vegetables to the cause.
Dr. Pualani Kanak’ole Kanahele explained the essence of hula. She went deep into its language origin and tied it to the environment. She spoke of the mist that comes down from the sky, and then the mist that comes up from the ground. “Hula is a sacrifice….”
Jason Tom delivered an incredible beatbox performance.
Amy Burvall & Herb Mahelona make up the creative duo behind those historic MTV-type music videos. They suggested that the keys are Creativity, Collaboration, & Celebration.
Kealoha Wong inspired us with his amazing slam poetry. I never considered myself a fan of this art form, but now I’m hooked.
Dr. Lani Leary spoke about making a difference to those who are dying. She’s learned that the dying need 1.) to be heard 2.) to be touched 3.) to be given permission to go….
The New Hope iPad Band gave an amazing musical performance.
Michael Wall led the audience in “collaborative creativity” with a rhythmic, percussive activity.
Jake Shimabukuro brought down the house with an absolutely thrilling performance. He spoke about music coming from his “being” before it even reaches his ukulele. He said that he can “practice” without an instrument. I thought that this was very profound and reminded me of how Beethoven could still compose after losing his hearing.
Elyse Petersen was a Peace Corps volunteer in Antigua and Barbuda. She saw the island covered with fallen mangoes that were going to waste. Her idea was to implement solar drying. This project helped over 20% of the entire population economically. Her next goal is to see this grow in Hawai’i as well.
Matthew Lynch on sustainability. “We define sustainability as zero negative impact on our environment. We need to go beyond sustainability to positively impact people and our planet.”
Dr. Ho Leung Ng is a cancer researcher. His quote: “We are all patients.”
Here is a link to download the electronic program of the event. TEDxHonolulu 2011 Official Program – 11.1.11
There was much more from the event. TEDx Honolulu should be posting videos and photos shortly.
The Tech Slam at the Kapālama Campus was a huge success! Melia & company did an outstanding job of event coordinating. We were treated to an amazing day of learning, highlighted by guest speaker 
