The First Annual Conference on Blue and Green Technologies: Case Studies from the United States and New Zealand was held at the University of Hawaii (Manoa Campus), Manoa 2520 Correa Road, IT Center Honolulu in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu ("the gathering place") with both in-person and virtual sessions

This conference provided a timely and valuable opportunity for scholars to examine the latest advances in clean tech globally as well as with a particular focus on the Pacific Islands region. Academics and practitioners examined issues related to Blue-Green technologic maturity, investments and opportunities. Key topics included the level of government investment in cleantech and priorities for blue-tech research, science and innovation.

Of particular interest was the role of minorities and underserved communities in the cleantech ecosystem, including ways to empower women, indigenous Hawaiians and people of color to take a leadership role in developing Blue-Green technologies. Key issues included the need to promote cleantech technologic commercialization, to support indigenous innovation and to empowering native and local communities to become entrepreneurs and commercialize their efforts.

It was concluded that future research and resources should be devoted to the global clean energy transition. Engaging and state of the art cleantech sessions highlighted the need to include under-resourced communities in Blue Green technologic fields and to share best practices for supporting a low carbon future.

Attendees shared insights, lessons, technologic breakthroughs and business opportunities. Scholars also highlighted an overview of indigenous innovation in Hawaii and across Polynesia. It was shown that governments, NGOs, entrepreneurs and the pr ivate sector should work with indigenous communities to better understand knowledge, ethics and values from the perspective of indigenous businesses and first nations peoples. Engaging indigenous communities can help to empower people at risk and improve the resilience of life support systems.

Conference Pictures

---