International small islands conference ends with declaration supporting Maui Community College sustainability initiatives

Maui College
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Posted: Aug 7, 2006

KAHULUI, Maui, Hawaiʻi — At the recent Islands of the World IX conference hosted by Maui Community College (MCC), delegates of the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA) adopted The Maui Declaration, which, among other recommendations, stated its intentions to support the college‘s initiatives related to sustainability.

The association, made up of scholars, researchers and island enthusiasts from around the world interested in issues of importance to small islands, issued its declaration of recommendations based on global interest as well as Maui‘s emergent interest in sustainability. The declaration also recognized the especially important role played by educational institutions in advancing the concept of public, private and corporate co-responsibility in the sustainability of small islands.

According to MCC Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto, "We were excited, gratified and reinforced by the declaration supported by our international colleagues. With ʻThe Maui Declaration,‘ they have recognized our sustainability progress both at the community and college levels. That our global island-based and oriented scholars observed Maui‘s movement and potential as noteworthy will stimulate even more interest and enthusiasm in island and institutional sustainability."

Among its goals, ISISA intends to promote renewable energy initiatives and support new and innovative educational systems on small islands designed to promote sustainable living. On Maui, this will involve working with MCC on the development of a sustainable technologies program and collaboration with the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM).

SLIM was established by MCC, Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. and EARTH University of Costa Rica, to foster sustainable and innovative methods of community development and management. The institute offers sustainable agriculture and sustainable technology internships for both high school and MCC students. SLIM, funded by CASE and Cole Family Foundations, will be inviting other partners to join in the co-responsible partnership among private, public and academic sectors.

ISISA‘s Maui Declaration is built upon declarations issued at previous Islands of the World conferences, including The Mauritius Declaration it issued in 1998 and The Kinmen Declaration it issued in 2004. It seeks to add to a growing pattern of processes, research and networks that support the development of sustainable solutions and approaches to challenges and issues faced by all small islands.


ABOUT ISISA

The International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA), made up of scholars, researchers and island enthusiasts from around the world, is a voluntary, non-profit and independent organization. Its objectives are to study islands on their own terms, and to encourage free scholarly discussion on small island related matters such as islandness, smallness, insularity, dependency, resource management and environment, and the nature of island life. For more information, visit www.geol.utas.edu.au/isisa .


ABOUT MAUI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

With its main 78-acre campus located in Kahului and education centers located in Hana, Kīhei, Lahaina, and on the islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, Maui Community College (MCC) is the only community college in the UH system that specifically serves the population of more than one island. With an average enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, the college offers comprehensive opportunities and special programs, including a bachelor‘s degree in applied business and information technology—the first four-year degree to be offered by a UH community college. Because it is a tri-island college community, MCC has pioneered and developed expertise in distance education and technology, providing a model for the entire University of Hawaiʻi system. For more information, visit www.maui.hawaii.edu .

For more information, visit: http://www.maui.hawaii.edu