Space and Spirit
A three day symposium on
Maintaining Spiritual Integrity in the Exploration of Space

Pre-Symposium 

Thursday

12:00 – 16:00              Registration

17:00 – 20:00              Pre-Symposium Activity

“From Sea to Space” takes participants on a ride in a double-hulled Hawaiian canoe. Covers the voyages of the early Polynesian settlers and wayfinding, the Polynesian technique of navigating by the stars. Discusses using the Polynesia exploration model as a guide in human exploration of space. 

Day 1

Friday 

07:30 – 08:30             Continental Breakfast 

08:00 – 16:00             Registration

09:00 – 16:00             Pre-Symposium Activity

            “Formed of Fire” tour takes participants to the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea. Covers formation of the Hawaiian islands, their natural hisotry, and the history of the Hawaiian people, and discusses using the Hawaiian colonization of the islands as a model for extraterrestrial outposts. Discusses NASA’s use of Hawai`I as a training ground for astronauts, and as a testbed for unmanned surface craft.

17:00 – 19:00              Aloha Reception

            Participants are formally greeted with Hawaiian ceremony, oli, and lei greeting. Opportunity to meet staff and each other in a convivial setting with Hawaiian pūpū (hors d’oeuvre), mele (music), and hula (dance).

Day 2

Saturday

07:30 – 08:30              Continental Breakfast

09:00 – 16:00              Plenary Session 1      
                                                Imua i ka Mahina – Forward to the Moon
            Hawai`i Space Tours and the Hawai`i Space Exploration Society are our hosts in a journey across lunar-like lava fields and up the world’s tallest mountain to see first hand the Earth’s premier astronomical site.
            As we travel, we will learn how the islands formed and grew, how their first human inhabitants developed technologies which enabled them to set out across uncharted seas to make discoveries which could not be replicated for another millennium.
            We will learn how the tradition of spectacular voyages of discovery is continuous, from the time of the great voyagers, Hilo, Mo`ikeha, Lono-i-ka-Makahiki, Cook, Onizuka, and to the voyagers yet to come.
            Our first stops will be to hike across lunar-like landscapes and see first-hand the evolving ecology of this humanisticly ancient, yet geologically infant, land.
            At the 9,000 foot elevation of Mauna Kea, we have lunch and acclimate to the rarified atmosphere. The visitor center here honors Ellison Onizuka, Hawai`i’s famed and beloved astronaut. As we allow our bodies to adjust, we will learn how today’s Kanaka maoli, indigenos people of the islands, resolve the conflicts, problems, and benefits brought by the melding and clash of the modern and ancient worlds.
            Several of our staff members are of Kanaka Maoli descent, and live daily in both worlds. Take this opportunity to talk with them as individuals.
            Traveling on toward the summit,  we will see cutting-edge observatories such as the Smithsonian Sub-Millimeter Array, the Canada/France/Hawai`i telescope, and  Japan’s Subaru telescope. We will see their juxtaposition with rare and endangered native species, and traditional religion on Mauna Kea, home to Hawaiian gods and goddesses.
            After paying respect to Hawaiian tradition at the summit altar, we will tour one of the telescopes.
            On the return to the conference site, we will have an opportunity to discuss strategies for placing an interferometry observatory on the Moon, and ways to extend such a beginning to open space exploration for all.
            This is not a tour for the faint-hearted, but for those with hearts of explorers. There will be hiking over rough terrain, and physical exertion at 13,000 foot elevation as we hike cinder cones and climb observatory stairs. Tour members should be in good physical condition with no history of respiratory or heart problems. 

18:00 – 19:00 – Supper  
                                    Wayfinding - Navigating Space and Time

            Dinner speaker on the role of the traditional navigator and lessons which can be applied to the future of space exploration.

Day 3

Sunday

07:30 – 08:30              Breakfast

09:00 – 12:00              Breakout Sessions

The Arts –
1)      Art and Spirit
2)      Art as a bridge between Science and Spirit
3)      Esthetics of Technology

Case Studies –
1)      Mauna Kea – Sacred Mountain / Science Mecca
2)      Kitt Peak -
3)      Space Stations

12:00 – 13:30              Lunch  
                                                Space and Spirit
            Luncheon speaker on the role of spirituality and intercultural respect in the lives of astronauts, technitions, and others involved in the exploration of space.

14:00 – 17:00                          Plenary Session

                                                Presentations by Breakout Groups.

18:00                                       Pa`ina 
            Ending as it began, the symposiam closes with traditional ceremony. Participants share a Hawaiian feast with oli, mele, and hula celebrating the voyaging history of the islands. Special presentations to honored guests.

Post-Symposium Activities

            Those wishing to stay a few more days are invited to take advantage of our conference rates in the following activies which have been specially designed for our group:

Monday

08:00 – 12:00              Hawaiian Reefs
            Learn about Hawai`i’s underwater ecosystems and see them for yourself. The Hokuhele, of Sea Paradise, takes you to some of the most beautiful snorkling on the coast of Moku Hawai`i.

04:00 – 12:00              Imua I Na Hoku – Forward to the Stars  
            Ancient constellations and modern astronomy combine in this unique Sunset and Star-Gazing Tour to Mauna Kea by Hawai`i Space Tours.

Tuesday

08:00 – 17:00              Science and the Sacred
            Travel around the island of Hawai`i to visit sites of ancient temples and cutting-edge science with Halu Hula Na Moahala Hala`i. A picnic lunch and light snacks will be provided.