On January 22, 2012, W.S. Merwin will join an impressive roster of speakers at the debut TEDxMaui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Like TED, the mothership of TEDx, the day promises to be enriching and thought-provoking. All of the speakers intersect with Hawaii, either topically or personally, speaking on issues as wide-ranging as Internet security and native forest restoration, from modern day slavery to sustainable aloha.

Leslie Wilcox, CEO of PBS Hawaii, and Kainoa Horcajo, will co-host the event.

A few of the speakers include: Susan Casey, fearless Editor-in-Chief of O Magazine and bestselling author; Jeremiah Grossman, global security expert and founder of WhiteHat Security; Amy Cortese, award-winning journalist and author of Locavesting; Elizabeth Lindsey, Ph.D., National Geographic Fellow and cultural anthropologist; Dr. Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele, kumu and professor of Native Hawaiian Studies; Paula Fuga, powerful and inspiring vocalist; Lisa Kristine, humanitarian photographer, and many more extraordinary voices.

Tickets may be purchased through the MACC Website or Box Office.