Conference Schedule

Welcome Remarks – Dr Doug Haynes, Vice Provost for Academic Equity, Diversity & Inclusion UCI. An Introduction to An Ocean of Knowledge by Simon Penny

Session 1 Ocean Science: Sea-level Rise, Reefs + Gyres  

• “Global Warming and Sea Level Rise” by Dr. François Primeau, Earth System Science UCI.
• “A Changing Climate for Coral Reefs” by Dr. Kristen Davis, Earth System Science UCI.
• “The Importance of Oceanic Subtropical Gyres as Debris Accumulation Zones and How They Effect Ocean Life” by Katie Allen, Executive Director of Algalita.

Break

Session 2 Pacific Seafaring: Construction, Navigation + Design

• “Empirical Mathematics in Constructing the Flying Proa” by Mario Borja, with CHE’LU.
• “Navigation without map or compass. Non-western cognitive skills” by Eric Metzgar of Triton films.
• “What’s so special about Pacific sailcraft?” by Simon Penny, UCI.

Keynote with Mimi George of the Vaka Taumako Project at the Winifred Smith Hall

“Lata’s Wayfinding System and Climate Science.” Film screening and Q + A We, the Voyagers: Matou, Nga Maku Puna o Lata (56 minutes, 2017). A new film on the Tepuke of Taumako. The premiere of the new film documenting the revival of indigenous seafaring traditions in the Solomon Islands.

Session 3 Contemporary Wayfinding: Indigenous Conservation + Social Justice in Room 1030 of the Humanities Gateway 

• “Finding the Way Home” by Dr. Judy Flores, University of Guam.
• “The Science of Wayfinding: Can Ancient Knowledge and Values Inform Modern Conservation Decisions” by Angelo O’Connor Villagomez, with Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, The Pew Charitable Trusts Pew Trusts.
• “The Role of Women in Navigating Social Change and Justice in the Marianas” Moñeka De Oro, Independent Guåhan, Our Islands are Sacred.

Break

Session 4 Revitalizing Sacred Knowledge + Visions for the Future

• “Beyond Restoration – Building a Future on Ancient Foundations” by Pete J. Perez, Executive Director of 500 Sails, Saipan.
• “Looking for the Alternate Solution” by Dr. Larry Raigetal with Waa’gey, a community foundation based in Yap, the Federated States of Micronesia.
• “Where We Go From Here” Closing Roundtable with Dr. Sylvia Frain, the University of Otago & the University of Guam.

Dinner Reception (For those who registered before Oct. 3)

Yap Film Screening Night & Q + A with the filmmakers at the Winifred Smith Hall

• Spirits of the Voyage (30 – minute highlights, 1996. Dr. Eric Metzgar) Jesus Urupiy, a traditional navigator on Lamotrek Atoll in the Caroline Islands of the Western Pacific, resurrects an ancient Micronesian navigator initiation ritual called Pwo which is filmed for the first time.
• Waa’gey: Mysteries of the Wayfinding Voyagers (22 – minutes, 2016. Dr. Larry Raigetal) Waa’gey, a community-based organization in Yap, will share the documentary about their sail to the island of Guam (Guåhan) to attend the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FESTPAC) in 2016.