The presentation is co-sponsored by the Hawaii Statewide GIS Program, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Hawaii Geographic Information Council.

Dr. Greg Asner, of the Carnegie Institute and Stanford University will speak on new technology that combines a laser-based system (LIDAR) of creating topographic images, and hyperspectral imagery.

The presentation is geared for a lay audience as well as policy-makers, natural resource managers, land use planners and GIS/remote sensing professionals.

Now becoming a major factor in shaping management actions for terrestrial to marine environments, this innovative system is capable of capturing detail extending from the forest canopy to the ocean floor, and is useful for modeling forest, hydrological, and marine cycles and ecosystems.

Allan Smith, interim chairperson for DLNR, said, "Managing Hawaii's natural resources is challenging. Every day, we are called upon to protect the forests, rivers, reefs, plants, animals and the cultural heritage of these precious islands. The public expects us to base our policies and actions on the best science that is available to us.

"In Hawai'i, we are fortunate to be a part of one of the most significant technological advances of our generation, called the Carnegie Airborne Observatory (CAO). This brand new technology, being developed right here in Hawaii, is the most significant new tool since the advent of aerial photography a century ago," Smith said.