About ALAKA‘I
Applied Life-Science Academy: Knowledge Advancing Industry
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Solving Climate Change Through Wisdom and Leadership
UH Hilo’s New Bioeconomy Academy
Through funding provided by BioMADE, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UH Hilo) with partners Dr. James DeKloe and the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) form “ALAKAʻI”, the Applied Life-Science Academy: Knowledge Advancing Industry.
ALAKAʻI is a Bioeconomy academy to accelerate climate change solutions by developing industry-relevant training for delivery first in Hawaiʻi and then across the United States.
Photo credit: Keauhou Canoe Club, MP Carion
The primary objective of ALAKAʻI is to provide unique training for high-impact professionals in the Bioeconomy, including operators, technicians, scientists, managers, policy makers, regulators, investors, advocates, as well as students and members of the public. ALAKAʻI provides the necessary multi-disciplinary understanding of the many factors behind making transformational change. UH Hilo leads the ALAKAʻI project and hosts flagship training sessions that draw on traditional Hawaiian and Pacific Island cultural perspectives to provide insights and guiding principles for effective sustainability.
The ALAKAʻI leadership team includes industry professionals with decades of combined experience in the Bioeconomy and higher education. NCERC provides unparalleled workforce training programs for students at their unique scale-up and demonstration facility for new Bioeconomy technologies. James DeKloe, PhD is a consultant in Vacaville, California and Professor at Solano College who pioneered biomanufacturing education programs. Dr. DeKloe created two- and four-year community college biomanufacturing curricula that are now used nationwide and internationally, and has for decades connected students with life-changing careers in biomanufacturing. UH Hilo brings tropical agriculture expertise and deep Hawaiian and Pacific Island perspectives on sustainability. The ALAKAʻI team is uniquely positioned to provide training and insights to beneficially implement the anticipated - trillion Bioeconomy.
Sustainability
Credit: Polynesian Voyaging Society
Sustainability is a common goal, but do we really know what it means? We believe so, but close examination reveals we may lack robust guiding principles to navigate uncharted waters of transitioning from fossil-based to circular, enduring economies.
How do we build sustainable economies that are accessible to all, improve opportunities and living standards for current and future generations, respect cultures, are environmentally beneficial, all while solving climate change? And--what are we ultimately trying to sustain: environment, biodiversity, culture, opportunities, wealth?
Indigenous Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders lived in concert with nature in isolated environments for centuries. ALAKAʻI is exploring indigenous perspectives to identify guiding principles and values to better create contemporary solutions.
Join our Sustainability and Bioeconomy conferences July 12 – 14, 2023 in Hilo and July 17 – 19 in Kona.
Bioeconomy
Bioeconomy is a circular economy solution that strengthens agriculture and uses biology to convert renewable resources, by-products, and waste streams into value-added products we use daily. These products include food, feed, plastics and materials, textiles, bioenergy and biofuels, and other bio-based products and services.
A primary objective is to make bio-advantaged products with better performance than is possible from petroleum, to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
The Bioeconomy reduces greenhouse gas emissions to solve global warming, and can even create carbon negative products that reduce overall greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere while enabling continued living standards.
The Bioeconomy is a critical solution to build sustainable economies and reverse climate change.
Learn how ALAKAʻI is enabling the Bioeconomy
Register Today
2023 Mālama Honua: Indigenous Perspectives in Sustainability (Hilo)
We are now at capacity for the Kona conference. We regret we are no longer able to accept registrations. Thank you for your interest in both the conference and in your commitment to sustainable economies, healthy communities, and solving climate change.
For more information please email bioecon@hawaii.edu