Conference Speakers and Sessions

Conference attendees can select from among a diverse set of one- and two-day conference tracks based on their professional roles and interests:

• PREPARE: Elderly and Disasters
• Psychological First Aid in Practice: Helping People Cope During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
• Cultural Competency and Disasters
• Disabilities/Shelter in Place for Special Needs Populations
• Basic Disaster Life Support
• Emergency Response Functional Role Skills Training
• Serving People with Disabilities After a Disaster

Keynote Speakers

Amanda Ripley
Author of The Unthinkable & reporter for TIME Magazine
January 22, 2009

Amanda Ripley, a senior writer at TIME Magazine, has traveled the world studying disasters, natural and manmade. Her book, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why, is the first mass-market book to explain how the brain works in disasters - and how we can learn to do better. The New York Times describes it as a "fascinating and useful new book". It is being published in 15 countries.

In 2005, Amanda covered Hurricanes Katrina and Rita from New Orleans, La., helping TIME win two National Magazine Awards. On September 11, 2001, Amanda was in New York City. That day and for years afterwards, she wrote extensively about the attacks, the victims and the recovery of the city and the survivors. She currently covers risk and homeland security for TIME Magazine from Washington, DC.

What makes Amanda?s work unusual is that she doesn?t just explain what happened; she obsessively investigates why people do what they do, and how we can do better, combining science and practical lessons with literary storytelling.

She has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Newswomen?s Club of New York and the Washington Monthly, among others, and she is a two-time Livingston Award finalist. Edward Teixeira
Vice Director of the Hawaii State Civil Defense
January 23, 2009

Mr. Edward Teixeira began his service with the Hawaii State Civil Defense Division in 1996 and has served as the Vice Director of Civil Defense since October 1, 1999.

As Vice Director, Mr. Teixeira is responsible for the State Civil Defense Division, located at the Birkhimer Emergency Operating Center, Diamond Head Crater.

The mission of the division is to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies caused by natural or man-made hazards. This important mission is implemented through hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness, homeland security, emergency response, and through disaster recovery programs.

During major disasters, Mr. Teixeira will normally serve in the role of State Coordinating Officer and Governor's Authorized Representative. In this capacity, Mr. Teixeira coordinates State disaster response actions and works closely with the Federal Coordinating Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency and with other officials from the Department of Homeland Security.

Featured Speakers

Ramsay R.M. Taum, B.S.
Director of External Affairs and Community Partnerships, School of Travel Industry Management (TIM), University of Hawaii at Manoa
Founder and President of Life Enhancement Institute
January 22, 2009

Born and raised in Hawaii, Mr. Taum is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, attended the United State Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of South California. His eclectic background and experience in business, government and community services makes him a valuable asset in both public and private sectors. His work in promoting sustainable practices based on Hawaiian cultural stewardship principles and practices is acknowledged locally, nationally and internationally and as a recognized cultural consultant, is sought after as a keynote speaker, lecturer, trainer and facilitator. He is on numerous local and national boards, advisory groups and councils including serving as the Director of the Hawaii State Consortium of Integrative Health Services and Board Director of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Health Policy Institute.

Ann Ito, M.S.W.
Director of the KOKUA Program, University of Hawaii at Manoa
January 23, 2009

Ms. Ito directs the Office for Students with Disabilities (the KOKUA Program) on the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii.  A thirty-year veteran in the field of higher education and disability, she has provided  leadership and technical assistance to the campus and the rest of the ten campus University of Hawaii system in complying with state and federal requirements under the Civil Rights law.  She has also served in various capacities with community agencies promoting disability access:  Disability and Communication Access Board; Services for the Blind Branch of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Consumer Advisory Board of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Committee for Accessible Transportation of the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services; Coordinating Council on Deafness; Advisory Board of the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and the Blind of the Department of Education, etc..
The conference will close with a capstone tabletop exercise that will encourage information-sharing and collaboration among attendees as they bring what they've learned during the conference to bear on a specific disaster scenario.

Target Audience

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