Partial Speaker Lineup Unveiled for 2nd Annual TEDxMaui

By Maui Now Staff

Organizers today announced a partial list of the speakers secured for the 2nd Annual TEDxMaui event taking place on Sunday, January 13, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

This independently organized event, licensed by TED, features a variety of speakers and entertainers from Hawaii and beyond, that will draw inspiration from this year’s theme “The Dream is Real.”

TEDxMaui will feature engaging presentations on diverse topics such as renewable energy, science, education, and the arts. There will also be a variety of musical and artistic performances.

The first five presenters include: visionary artist Alex Grey; renewable energy pioneer Quayle Hodek; Hawaii Watermen’s Hall of Famer Archie Kalepa; Maui Preparatory Academy teacher Jenelle Peterson; and poet and author Kim Rosen.

Alex Grey, courtesy photo.

Beginning his career as a medical illustrator at Harvard Medical School, visionary artist Alex Grey is best known for his paintings which present the physical and subtle anatomy of an individual in the context of cosmic, biological and technological evolution. His art has been featured in Time, Newsweek, the Discovery Channel, and the album art of TOOL, the Beastie Boys and Nirvana.

Called one of the “7 Hottest CEO’s “ by Treehugger.com and one of Red Herring’s “Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 35,” Quayle Hodek is a pioneer in the field of renewable energy. As the CEO of Renewable Choice Energy, Quayle has been on a mission to convince companies that switching to renewable energy is the right thing to do, for the planet and the bottom line.

Archie Kalepa, courtesy photo.

Recently inducted to the Hawaii Watermen’s Hall of Fame, fifth-generation Lahaina resident and Lahainaluna graduate Archie Kalepa is one of Hawaii’s greatest ocean sports pioneers. A legendary big-wave surfer, Archie is an accomplished waterman who is one of a handful of men able to successfully tow surf the enormous waves that break on Maui’s north shore. In addition to his achievements riding waves, he’s also a leader in the development of innovative safety equipment and rescue techniques using jet skis and water sleds. Kalepa is a key player in the push to modernize and innovate stand up paddling and is dedicated to resurrecting interest in the traditional Hawaiian sport of canoe surfing.

Jenelle Peterson, courtesy photo.

Believing that “being an inspiration to children is the most progressive political act of all,” Jenelle Peterson has taught in classrooms as diverse as Compton and Maui. She attended the New School for Social Research in New York City, receiving both a Masters of Science in Teaching and a certification in Secondary Social Studies Education. Janelle is currently a 4th grade teacher at Maui Preparatory Academy.

Kim Rosen, courtesy photo.

Kim Rosen, MFA, is the author of Saved by a Poem: The Transformative Power of Words. Combining her devotion to poetry with her background as a teacher and therapist, she has touched listeners around the world with the power of spoken poems to heal and inspire individuals and communities. She is the co-creator of 4 CDs of spoken poems and music and her work has been featured in O Magazine, The Sun, The New Yorker and Spirituality & Health Magazine.

In addition to announcing the first five speakers, the event organizers also identified this year’s hosts, Kainoa Horcajo, who returns as host.  She will be joined by Lia Krieg, who is a teacher and performer.

Kainoa Horcajo, courtesy photo.

Kainoa serves as a “bridge” between people, cultures and industries of Hawaii. Born and raised on Maui, he is a passionate, lifelong student of Indigenous Cultures, specifically Kanaka Maoli culture and practices. Horcajo is a partner in Hana Pono, an organization that provides Cultural Studies and Impact Assessments. He is a certified alaka’i of NaHHA’s Ola Hawaii, conducting culture-based training for Hawaii companies. Horcajo has worked with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the State of Hawaii House of Representatives as the media and outreach liaison for Representative Mele Carroll. An eloquent speaker, he has given presentations across the islands—as well as speaking on Native Hawaiian issues across the country. Horcajo is active in the Maui community and does volunteer work in Olowalu, Auwahi, and Kipahulu. He is a board member of Maui Recycling Group, DeBolt Gardens Foundation, and an advisory board member to Maui Tomorrow.

Born and raised on Maui, Lia is a performer and host of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s “Making Over Maui”.  Lia is also a vocalist for ‘Ulalena in Lahaina, and appears regularly onstage in various productions. Lia has a Bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, and a Masters in Secondary Education. She is a teacher at Baldwin High School, where she instructs students in both Advanced Placement and Introductory Biology.

TEDxMaui organizers encourage students, local business owners, entrepreneurs, and any and all open-minded individuals seeking education and inspiration to attend. Tickets are available for purchase through the MACC Box Office, by calling 808-242-SHOW (7469) or online at www.mauiarts.org.

Tuition for the daylong event is $100. Cost for students and individuals over 65 is $75.  TEDxMaui is limited to 1200 participants with 100 spaces being reserved for students and seniors.

TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is a national nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” TED holds an annual conference in Long Beach, California that has featured speakers such as Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Philippe Starck, Hillary Clinton, Eve Ensler and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.