HPU Talks

HPU Talks is Hawai‘i Pacific University’s signature event series featuring dynamic speakers from a wide range of professions, experiences, and backgrounds. Each event offers fresh perspectives, inspiring stories, and opportunities for meaningful connection and learning.

Next Talk

Evaluating Genki Balls for Hawaiʻi’s Waterways

Date: July 17, 2026

Times: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Location: Aloha Tower Marketplace Sunset Ballroom (2nd floor makai)

Details:

Join researchers, educators, practitioners, and community members for an afternoon of scientific discussion on the use of Genki balls as a potential bioremediation technology for Hawaiʻi's waterways.

This research symposium will bring together experts from across Hawaiʻi to examine the current state of the science, share ongoing research, discuss monitoring and evaluation efforts, and identify future research priorities. Through presentations and a moderated panel discussion, participants will engage in evidence-based dialogue about the opportunities, limitations, and unanswered questions surrounding Genki balls and their role in watershed restoration.

Why Attend

Learn about the latest research evaluating Genki balls as a bioremediation technology.
Hear perspectives from researchers, educators, resource managers, and community partners.
Engage in thoughtful discussion on monitoring, data, and evidence-based approaches to improving Hawaiʻi's waterways.
Connect with collaborators from HPU, UH Mānoa, HIMB, NOAA, and local organizations.

Event Schedule

1:00 p.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
1:15 p.m. Keynote Presentation & Q&A
1:40 p.m. Research Presentations
3:10 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Panel Introduction
3:45 p.m. Expert Panel Discussion
4:45 p.m. Audience Q&A

RSVP required – Register here: https://forms.hpu.edu/view.php?id=2622370

Past Talks

Ana Popovic

Blues singer and guitarist Ana Popovic shared different aspects of her path to success in music, reminding how important it is to keep going during tough times. She spoke about her Belgrade, Serbian background and the impact of it in her career, studying music, and the difficulties she faced as a woman in the mostly male blues and rock scenes.

Popovic has built a long career and is one of the few women widely praised for her guitar playing. She has earned several Blues Music Award nominations including being one of the first European artists ever nominated for the W.C. Handy Blues Award and joined the Experience Hendrix Tour from 2014 to 2018. She has played with artists like Buddy Guy and has become a role model for future female guitarists.

Chris "Whipper" Layton

World-renowned drummer and percussionist, 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chris "Whipper" Layton was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble.

Layton gained widespread recognition for his dynamic and powerful drumming style, playing a crucial role in shaping the sound of Vaughan's music. Together with Vaughan and bassist Tommy Shannon, Layton formed the core of Double Trouble, a trio that achieved significant success in the 1980s.

Jason Ringenberg

Called too Country for Rock and too Rock for Country, Jason Ringenberg has been hailed as both "the Godfather of Americana" (Mojo) and "the Godfather of Alt-Country" (Americana UK). Ringenberg's influence had Rolling Stone comment that the Scorchers "singlehandedly re-wrote the history of Rock'n'roll in the South." The Times (London) called him "one of the most exciting performers of his generation." The Americana Music Association awarded the band its Lifetime Achievement Award in the Performance Category. Ringenberg has been an Artist in Residence at Sequoia National Park for the National Parks Service.