HAWAII BUILD AND BUY GREEN + BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT + GREEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE AND EXPO
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2011
HONOLULU–Builders, developers, designers, and those interested in green building, redevelopment grants, renewable energy and green jobs can now register for the 2011 Hawaii Build and Buy Green + Brownfields Redevelopment + Green Workforce Development Conference and Expo to be held Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Governor Neil Abercrombie will welcome participants at 8:00 a.m., followed by a keynote presentation, Living Buildings and the Future of Re-building Green, by Jason McLennan, CEO, International Living Building Challenge Institute, a Pacific Northwest-based agency focused on sustainable built environments. McLennan is a leader in the international green design movement, author of three green architecture books, and founder of Ecotone Publishing, the only dedicated green building publisher in the country.
More than 25 presentations will discuss resources such as federal grants for green development; financing and rebates for green improvements; successful local LEED projects and net-zero energy communities; renewable energy developments in Hawaii; and green jobs and training programs. A “Meet-the-Experts” round table session with seven separate in-depth discussions led by 16 subject matter professionals will be held in the afternoon. In addition, more than 50 exhibits will showcase green products throughout the day.
The conference, now in its 11th year, is organized by the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR); and the Hawaii Chapter of the U.S. Green Buildings Council, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and U.S. Department of Energy.
“We have seen a tremendous growth in the energy industry since 2009 with over $1.2 billion dollars projected to be spent on renewable and energy efficiency projects this year,” said Richard Lim, Director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “This conference is important as it encourages more economic development opportunities for companies and generates additional green jobs.”
New this year are sessions on the clean up and redevelopment of “brownfields” or contaminated properties, with resources offered by the EPA Brownfield Redevelopment Program.
“In Hawaii our land is a limited, precious resource. We cannot allow the `aina to be contaminated and left abandoned and unusable. This conference brings the resources of three state departments together to clean the land, create green jobs, and promote a sustainable economic future,” said Gary Gill, Deputy Director for Environmental Health. “This combined conference will give developers, property owners, consultants, job seekers, and employers a toolbox of practical options to grow their businesses in new, sustainable directions.”
The conference and expo will also highlight the status of green jobs in Hawaii, with baseline data and long-term projections from the DLIR. An afternoon session will be held on State policies and research and training needed to develop and sustain our State’s green economy. Attendees will network with peers and professionals from related fields and learn the latest advanced information about their specialties.
DLIR Director Dwight Takamine remarks, “The DLIR is committed to leading a sustainable green economy through informed decision-making and a skilled workforce. We intend to engage our local community through active dialogue – not just in our involvement with this green conference, but every day.”
Registration, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments, is $75 for the general public and $60 for students. See the agenda and register at https://uhhconferencecenter.com/green/.
For conference details and registration questions, please contact:
Hawaii Build and Buy Green
Gail Suzuki-Jones, Energy Analyst
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
[email protected] | 808-587-3802
Brownfields Redevelopment
Lynn Bailey, Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) Specialist
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office
(HDOH-HEER)
[email protected] | 808-586-4653
Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative
Jeffrey Matsu, Lead Researcher
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR)
[email protected] | (808)586-9029
###
For more information, contact:
Estrella Seese
Acting Energy Program Administrator
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 586-2352
Lois Hamaguchi
Energy Analyst
DBEDT’s State Energy
Phone: (808) 587-9006