Maya Soetoro-Ng Identified as TEDxMaui Presenter

Clockwise from top left: Kerri Urosevich, Maya Soetoro-Ng, Sam Ohu Gon, Dave Kalama, and Kimi Werner (photo credit Justing Turkowski). Photos courtesy TEDxMaui.

By Wendy Osher

Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, the half-sister of President Barack Obama and international studies educator, has been identified as a presenter at the 2014 TEDxMaui event.

Soetoro-Ng is among a list of five presenters confirmed so far for the 3rd annual event, scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The list also includes: Dave Kalama; Kerrie Urosevich, PhD; Kimi Werner; and Samuel ‘Ohukani‘ōhi‘a Gon, III, PhD.

Organizers of the event say the full lineup of presenters is still in development, but includes a variety of speakers and entertainers from Hawai‘i and beyond.

The event features “engaging presentations on diverse topics, big ideas, and cutting edge perspectives that have the potential to change the world.”

The TEDxMaui team provided background information on each of the speakers including the following:

“Dave Kalama: Maui’s own surf icon, big wave pioneer, and world champion ocean athlete, and trainer. 

Maya Soetoro-Ng, PhD: An award-winning peace, multicultural, and international studies educator and children’s book author. Co-founder of the community peace training program Ceeds of Peace with Kerrie Urosevich. Campaigner for her brother, President Barack Obama. 

Kerrie Urosevich, PhD: community mobilizer and peace builder, Early Learning Action Strategy Coordinator for the Hawai‘i Governor’s Office, Co-founder of Ceeds of Peace with Maya Soetoro-Ng. 

Kimi Werner: Maui born and raised champion spearfisher and freediver, artist and chef-hunter. 

Samuel M. ‘Ohukani‘ōhi‘a Gon, III, PhD: Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, world-renowned expert on Hawaiian ecology.”

The partial list was announced today in advance of ticket sales which begin next week Tuesday, April 15, through the MACC Box Office and website.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and costs $100 for the day-long event.  A reduced price of $75 is available for students and elders over the age of 65.

***Full biographies on featured speakers are posted on the TEDxMaui website.