MEDIA RELEASE

Capt. Charles Moore, founder of Algalita Marine Research Foundation, discovered the Eastern Pacific Gyre — a trash dump twice the size of Texas between California and Hawaii — and he’ll be talking trash at the Second Annual Student Congress on Sustainability 2009.

The three-day conference, June 11-14 at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, provides high school students an opportunity to build awareness and to collaborate on student-driven environmental initiatives.

All Big Island public, private and charter high schools are invited to send student and faculty delegates. Through the generous support of the community, companies, and foundations, the conference is free to all students and schools. Hawaii Preparatory Academy and The Kohala Center are hosting the event.

“We are encouraged by the positive response from students who attended last summer and want to return again for the second year,” said Karen Yamasato, Congress chairwoman.

This year’s Congress will also feature speakers Henk Rogers (founder of Blue Planet Foundation) and Dr. William Steiner (Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawaii at Hilo) in addition to Moore, plus hands-on workshops, a full-day excursion, and time for students to discuss and exchange ideas. 

Representatives from The Natural Step, a nonprofit global organization whose mission is to promote real change toward a sustainable world, will be at the conference to work with the students.

Students will attend six workshops ranging from agriculture, compostable products, reefs and oceans, hydrogen cells, electric cars, to biofuels, and energy audits. Delegates also will visit island farms featuring aquaponics and hydroponics.

Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors enrolled at high schools on the Big Island are encouraged to contact their principals if they wish to attend. 

Interested students also may contact Yamasato at 895-1106 (e-mail kyamasato@hpa.edu, fax 881-4071). Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Student application forms are available at www.hpa.edu/gogreen/studentcongress/2009. Applications may be downloaded, completed, and returned via fax or e-mail to HPA. Students will be notified when their application has been received and accepted.

Companies and organizations wishing to support the Congress are invited to contact Yamasato at kyamasato@hpa.edu or Samantha Birch at sbirch@kohalacenter.org.