While some have called for fireworks and parades and others for solemn marches or fiery protests, the official end of the state's yearlong commemoration of the 50th anniversary of statehood will instead be marked with in-depth discussions on where Hawai'i is headed over the next half-century.

Kippen de Alba Chu, chairman of the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission, said "New Horizons for the Next 50 Years," a one-day conference scheduled for Aug. 21 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, is an opportunity to "bring together good ideas of what people want Hawai'i to look like 50 years from now."

Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay will give the keynote address for what is expected to be a wide-ranging examination of all major aspects of Hawai'i's future, including economics, education, energy, technology and Native Hawaiian culture.

Other featured speakers will include former U.S. Department of Energy deputy secretary Andy Karsner and political pollster John Zogby, who is expected to release findings from a new poll that examines perspectives on Hawai'i statehood.

"Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change" will include perspectives from a panel of relatively young experts that includes Jonathan Osorio, Kamana Beamer, Trisha Watson and Mehana Hind.

"Rather than getting the same established authorities, we wanted to get people who will be here in 50 years to share their ideas," de Alba Chu said. "There are a lot of things going on — Hawaiian sovereignty, the Akaka bill — how do we want to see these things resolved?"

Discussions will also take place in breakout workshops, including "Military Partnerships: Part of Our 'Ohana," which will include U.S. Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, a former Army chief of staff, and Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.

Other scheduled workshops will address the future of tourism in Hawai'i, the media, innovation, education, labor, energy and historical perspectives on statehood.

"One of our biggest hopes was that in lieu of fireworks and a big parade, we could provide something more meaningful that people could think about and take home," de Alba Chu said.

The convention will also feature a job fair with representatives from local employers, employment search firms, the online employment resource HireNet Hawai'i, Career Kokua and the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Workforce Development Division.

The cost to attend the conference is $30 ($15 for students), which includes conference materials, opening and closing ceremonies, plenary sessions and one morning and afternoon workshop. Tickets for food and beverages and a postconference concert and reception featuring the musical groups the Drifters and the Platters are also available for $50 each.