To both of you – many, many kudos for organizing this year’s symposium! The venue was exceptional, the food was over-the-top excellent, the agenda well constructed (and I know how much time this took Jim-san) and the participants represented an excellent cross section of exactly the right blend of folks that we need encouraging, supporting and exploiting the JUSTSAP opportunities. Very well done my good friends.

- Dan Bland

Part I

Part II

• Jim Cowen (Chair), University of Hawaii
• Brian Glazer, University of Hawaii
• Andy Fisher, University of California, Santa Cruz
• Jan Amend, Washington University in St. Louis

Click here for more conference information: http://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/meetings/2009.html

Scientific Conference

The theme of the conference is Subseafloor Observatories and Exploration of the Deep Biosphere. The conference will comprise a series of keynote speakers covering aspects of CORK subseafloor observatory history and design, technical specifications and options for future modifications, drilling and other operational considerations, monitoring and contamination concerns, key results from earlier subseafloor experiments using observatories, and future directions for subseafloor biosphere science involving observatories (for description of CORKs and details of how they have been used see (Jannasch et al. 2003). In addition to oral presentations, all participants will be asked to present during a series of poster sessions (to be scheduled throughout the day in association with coffee and meal breaks) highlighting work completed or in progress involving subseafloor observatories and/or the deep biosphere, or conceptual proposals describing how to move the science forward through novel application of observatory technology for passive (monitoring) or active experiments. Our intent is to mix lecture and poster/discussion formats so as to encourage engagement and development of collaborative opportunities between individuals and groups that have not previously worked together or have had difficulty understanding each other’s science.

Educational Workshop

The training workshop at this meeting will focus on crossing over between microbiological sampling and monitoring and marine hydrogeology, with the primary goal of on developing a basic level of understanding among two disparate groups: those involved in development and use of CORK systems for marine hydrogeological studies, and microbiologists working in the deep biosphere or in other settings. It is important to note that this is a technologically challenging area of research and one that is extremely new to science and in particular microbiology. In order to succeed, this workshop will need to move beyond the standard introductory lectures that attempt to survey an entire discipline in 45 minutes. Instead, the workshop will comprise a series of linked discussion and practical calculations, introducing basic concepts in biogeochemistry, fluid flow, and solute fate and transport. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive curriculum in any of these topics given the short time available. Instead, workshop leaders will develop a series of presentations and exercises that provide a mechanism for non-specialists to gain a basic grasp of one or more key concepts (e.g., carbon fixation and accumulation of biomass, driving forces for fluid flow in the crust and associated budgets for nutrients, exchange between more and less biologically-important microenvironments during fluid transport).

This conference evaluates the presidency of George W. Bush, whose tenure in office brought about vast changes in the institution of the presidency.  Participants in this conference will evaluate a number of aspects of George W. Bush’s presidency, including:

• War Powers
• Terrorism Policy
• Civil Liberties
• Judicial Politics and Appointments
• Legislative Relations
• Economic Policy
• Management of the Executive Branch
• Public Opinion
• Media Relations
• Presidential Power
• Presidential Campaigning
• Environmental Policy
• Foreign Policy

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Michael A. Genovese
Loyola Chair of Leadership
Professor, Political Science
Director, Institute for Leadership Studies
Click here for Dr. Genovese’s biosketch

DRESS & WEATHER

Appropriate conference attire will be “Aloha Casual” = slacks & short-sleeved aloha shirt.

Click here to get the latest NOAA weather updates for Hilo, Hawai‘i

REGISTRATION

The conference will be held on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo on the scenic Big Island of Hawaii.  A number of activities, including half-day trips to the rainforest and beach are included in the conference.  An optional guided trip through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be available to participants.

The number of participants in this conference is limited in order to facilitate dialogue.   Please register early in order to secure a space.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

• Deadline for Registration: May 30, 2009
• Registration Cost: $195.00

LODGING

Reserve your hotel room now!  We have received a special rate at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for conference participants, but please reserve your rooms early, as space is limited.

Please reference this conference to receive the discounted rate up to 3 days pre/post.

Conference Dates: July 29-31, 2009.
Optional post-conference field trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: August 1, 2009.

• Standard Garden View Rooms: $95++
• Deluxe Ocean View Rooms: $120++

Contact the hotel directly:
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
71 Banyan Drive
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 935-9361
Fax: (808) 961-9642

Alternatively, download a PDF reservation form here, fill out, and Fax or email in.

CALL FOR PAPERS, PANEL & ROUNDTABLE PROPOSALS

Paper and Panel proposal deadline extended to May 19, 2009.
Proposals and inquiries should be send to Dr. Todd Belt, tbelt@hawaii.edu, 808-974-7375.

Abstracts should be limited to 250 words. Please include name, university affiliation, and contact information for all authors/presenters.

AGENDA & FIELDTRIP ITINERARY

• Conference Agenda
• Click here to download a PDF of the Final Conference Program
• 7/30/09 Tropical Rainforest half-day fieldtrip
• 7/31/09 Aquaculture Farm Tour & Beach half-day fieldtrip (Keaukaha Coastline)
• 8/1/09 OPTIONAL Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park full-day fieldtrip

The State of Hawaii with its diverse grouping of Islands serves as the backdrop this year for a variety of unique technical tours for conference attendees. The tours will explore elements of the planet earth indigenous in the environment of Hawaii, current and extensive scientific research and development, and engineering landmarks displaying the ancient and rich history of this extraordinary State.

FEES AND SCHEDULES

TOUR REGISTRATION

Preregistration is required for all tours so that proper arrangements for transportation may be made, and minimum and maximum capacities are maintained. Registration for the post-conference tours on the Big Island and Maui is available by clicking on the appropriate links above.

The post-conference tours on Hawaii’s Big Island and Maui require a list of names and personal information of tour participants 30 days in advance of the tours. Required information, collected as part of the registration process, includes: last name, first name, title, date of birth, driver’s license number or state identification number. Foreign nationals are permitted to attend the tours, but must provide their passport number, expiration date and country of origin when registering for the tour, and have their passport with them for access to all tours.

TRANSPORTATION

Check the individual tour schedules on the tour information pages to verify specific departure and return times.

REFUNDS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Due to the tour capacity limits this year, no refunds will be made for cancellations after May 22, 2009, or for no-shows. Tour participant substitutions are not permitted because of the security requirements at each tour location.

IDENTIFICATION

Participants should also carry a picture ID issued by a government or university entity (e.g., driver’s license, passport, State/Federal employee card, student ID). Please check the details of each tour for more information.

In collaboration with the Onizuka Memorial Committee, hundreds of volunteers, exhibitors and presenters, UHH hosted the 8th annual Ellison Onizuka Science Day.

Celebrating the life and achievements of Astronuat Ellison Onizuka, who perished during the Challenger tragedy, this day is inspired by Ellison’s committment to the students of Hawaii and his passion for science and math.

Astronaut Daniel Tani offered a view from above as he shared photos and DVDs from his recent 18 months aboard the ISS (International Space Station).

Exhibits from the CSAV and marine science, together with workshops and displays from ‘Imiloa, IFA, USGS, NOAA, and the telescope community, added to the excitement of the day, but we are hoping for increased participation from the faculty as we make plans for the 10th Annual Ellison Onizuka Science Day. Please do join us!

As Chancellor Tseng watched over 600 students enraptured by science wizard, Dale Olive, she remarked on what an outstanding opportunity this day is for UHH. “It’s a time to capture the interest of these potential students and to let them know about our cutting edge science programs.” So, with that thought in mind, please do let us know if you’re interested in participating as a presenter or if you’d like to offer a hands-on workshop for students. For information, contact, Judith Fox-Goldstein at foxgolds@hawaii.edu, or call 974-7555.