SLIM to Present Book Signing, Panel Discussion on Island Sustainability

The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui is holding a special book signing event at UH Maui College Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring Thinking Like an Island: Navigating a Sustainable Future in Hawai‘i, a new release by UH Press.

Local Maui experts who contributed chapters to the book will participate in a panel discussion at the signing: John Bendon, Jennifer Chirico, Scott Fisher, Penny Levin, Steve Parabicoli, Kirk Surry, Ramsay Taum and Susan Wyche.

The panel will include an engaging discussion on key sustainability topics on Maui, such as sustainable agriculture, green building, water conservation, culture and school gardens.

The focus of the book is viewing islands from a systems perspective and the importance of valuing the entire system in nature rather than the parts. Thinking Like an Island shows how multi-scalar relationships are significantly affected by human decisions.

The isolation of Hawai‘i and and current economic models dictate that the Hawaiian Islands are reliant on imported food, fuel and other materials. This collection of case studies provides examples of the challenges faced, how barriers are being overcome, and how Hawai‘i is slowly becoming a model for other isolated communities.

Signed copies of Thinking Like an Island will be available at a discount at the event.

The signing and panel discussion will be held in the Kalama Building, Room 103.