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Kēkēmapa 2009
Mid-Month Extra |
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Quentin Flores of OHA's Economic Development Hale and Claus Prufer of the Hawai'i Procurement Technical Assistance Center are two of the organizers of the upcoming 2010 Hawaiian Business Conference and Economic Expo. - Photo: Lisa Asato |
business to the forefront
By Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola Loa
Native Hawaiian Economic Development, Government Contracting and Hawai'i's energy initiatives will be the topics du jour at the three-day 2010 Hawaiian Business Conference and Economic Expo, Jan. 11 to 13, 2010, at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
There is no charge to attend the conference, which is presented by OHA in partnership with the Hawai'i Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HI-PTAC) and the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. It is open to people of all ethnicities. Deadline to register is Jan. 5, online at oha.eventbrite.com.
Themed "Ho'okahua Waiwai: From advocacy to action; building a sustainable economy to support Hawai'i's future," the conference aims to actively engage both the Hawaiian and the broader business community to seek ways to lay the foundations for economic sustainability, while creating a long-term economic strategic plan that creates opportunity for future generations to become self-sufficient as they seek self-determination.
That's according to conference organizers Quentin Flores of OHA's Economic Development Hale and Dirk Soma of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. The two are planning the event with Stephen Ka'a'a of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, OHA Economic Hale Director Mark Glick and Claus Prufer, program manager of HI-PTAC.
Each day of the conference will focus on a new topic: Day 1, Native Hawaiian Economic Development issues; Day 2, government contracting; and Day 3, Hawai'i's energy initiatives. Speakers include Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Reps. Mazie Hirono and Neil Abercrombie, James Christy of the U.S. Census Bureau, and Navy Capt. Paul Fuligni, the vice commander of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific. Fuligni will provide an update on Guam military construction.
Prufer, the HI-PTAC program manager, said construction is "ramping up" in Guam, which covers everything from harbors, airports, hospitals and infrastructure.
The main goal of Day 2 is to get Hawaiian and other businesses "to identify with government procurement in this down economy," he said.
The conference is a good way to learn about a complex, multifaceted procurement process and about existing and future projects, said Prufer, who will discuss the HI-PTAC on a panel with J. Rick Evans, also an expert in government contracting.
The event will also feature breakout sessions, networking and information booths.
OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona and Trustees Oswald Stender, Boyd Mossman and Walter Heen will lead a contingent of OHA participants and speakers.
OHA's morning talk radio show, Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, will broadcast from the business conference on all three days, starting at 6:30 a.m.
For information, call Quentin Flores at 594-1829 or email him at quentinf@oha.org. Or, see the full agenda at www.oha.eventbrite.org.
AGENDA Here is a partial agenda. For a complete listing, visit oha.eventbrite.com. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
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