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The Conversation: Thursday, March 31st, 2016

Flickr - USFWS Pacific Region

Coral Reef Dredging; History of Pacific Nuclear Testing; Public-Private Partnership on Homelessness; Development in Waikiki; Jane Hirshfield Poetry 

Coral Reef Dredging in the South China Sea: Professor Camilo Mora

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Camilo Mora

Credit Wikipedia
Fiery Cross Reef, one of China's land reclamation projects in the South China Sea

Mention the South China Sea, and you might think international politics. But today University of Hawai‘i researchers want you to think corals. A paper published in the Open Access journal PLOS Biology documents reef dredging and land creation in the South China Sea to the detriment of coral reefs. The authors of the paper used remote sensing data from the Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager to look at the destruction and land reclamation of seven atolls in the Spratly Islands. Professor Camilo Mora, lead author of the paper joins us now.

Intro Music: Coral by Soda Stereo

Outro Music: 101 by Walla

Nuclear Savage Film: Dr. David Krieger

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David Krieger

Credit Maui Peace Action

Americans have yet to understand the full impact of the nuclear testing that was conducted in the Marshall Islands in the early 1950’s, or of its genocidal after-effects. It’s a lot to take in, especially for the people of a country that styles itself as a moral leader, but it’s not something that can be ignored. Maui Peace Action and the Maui Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee are showing a documentary later this month called “Nuclear Savage – the Islands of Secret Project 4.1” David Krieger is the president of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; he’ll present at the screening.

Intro Music: Broadripple is Burning by Margot & The Nuclear So and So's

Outro Music: The Great Pacific by Christman Hersha

IHS Launches Tutu Bert's House in Partnership w/ QMC & HomeAid HI: Jerry Coffee

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Jerry Coffee

Today medically frail and homeless patients released from hospital will have a place to go that’s not back to the streets. A public private partnership is underway between a new nonprofit, HomeAidHawai‘i, and Queens Medical Center. The Institute for Human Services will operate the 8 bed short-term homecare facility.

Intro Music: Town Square Theme
Outro Music: Got my Mind Set on You by Ukulele Ray

Potential Changes in Waikiki: Christopher McNally

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Christopher McNally

Credit Flickr - nosha
Waikiki, Oahu

If you’ve lived in Waikiki for a number of years, no one has to tell you that the area has changed. Beyond beautification, hotel ownership has helped define the character of Hawaii - and now that could be changing in the bidding war for Starwood Hotels and resorts. Both Marriot and a Chinese insurance mogul want the company. Unrelated to that, there’s also a plan to build a 350 foot tower on what’s now the low-rise KIngs Village property. So how might the proposed changes affect the community? Chaminade University Political Economy Professor Christopher McNally is also Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center and has some thoughts.

Intro Music: Deutsche Welle Theme
Outro Music: Town Square Theme

Merwin Poetry: Jane Hirshfield

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Jane Hirshfield

Credit Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Jane Hirshfield

  A good poem gains from being read again and again, and doesn’t need to mean the same thing in every reading – or to every reader. The language crafted with a heightened attention to detail and an awareness of the music of language. Jane Hirshfield is one of America’s most acclaimed poets. She is on Maui to read from her work and talk about it at a Merwin Conservancy Green Room event this weekend.

Intro Music: Moonchild/In Your Quiet Place by Gary Burton, Keith Jarrett

Outro Music: Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock

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