SCBO 2020


Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi | August 31 – September 3
hosted in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance

Joint Statement Regarding Postponement Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The 2020 Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance Conference was originally planned to be a Pacific-wide conference hosted jointly by the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance (Alliance) and the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO). The Conference planning team has been closely tracking the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response to science-based public health advice as well as travel restrictions, we have determined that an international conference will not be wise or feasible this year. The Alliance will continue to plan a Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference for September 1 – 3 2020 and is currently exploring options for an in-person or virtual conference. Authors and potential attendees will be polled in the coming days to help inform critical decisions that the Alliance will make in coming weeks regarding the logistics of this Conference. The Society for Conservation Biology Hawaiʻi Chapter has kindly offered to continue to work on the planning team. The Alliance and SCBO plan to work on a joint conference for the Pacific conservation community in 2021. We wish all the best for our Pacific communities and conservation organizations and agencies as we face new challenges.

Key dates

Call for Abstracts, Symposia & Workshops: Now Open!
Session and Abstract Proposal Deadline: February 28th, 2020
Deadline for Presenters to Register: July 15th 2020

About the conference

For our 2020 regional conference SCB Oceania are partnering with the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance to host a conference on the theme of Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance.

Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona” translates simply as “The Abundant Land Thrives.” In ʻŌiwi (indigenous Hawaiian) culture, the concept of ʻāina momona describes places of biocultural resource abundance, such as lush riverine valleys, fresh water springs, estuaries, healthy nearshore reefs, rich agricultural complexes, and profoundly productive nearshore fishponds, which resulted in a rich ‘Ōiwi society. ʻĀina momona is not absent of human presence, but rather, reflects an active and symbiotic relationship between people and their place.  This conference invites presenters and attendees to apply the concept of ʻāina momona to explore the study and practice of conservation, restoration, and stewardship of the landscapes.

The Conference will allow a diverse group of scientists, policymakers, conservation practitioners, educators, students and community members from Oceania to converge and discuss conservation. It’s a time to connect, share and inspire, all with the common goal of caring for our natural resources.

Further information on conference registration, accommodation, workshop, and SCBO student travel awards will be coming soon.

Conference Tracks

  • Cultural Values and Practice in Conservation
  • Capacity in Conservation
  • Global Change & Challenges
  • Putting Research into Practice
  • New Technologies and Research in Conservation
  • Place-based Conservation

More information on conference tracks / themes is available here.

Questions can be directed to conference@hawaiiconservation.org or admin@scboceania.org.