Hundreds of scholars and experts from around the world will convene on Maui this month at the Islands of the World conference to discuss strategies for sustainable development.

The conference, presented by the International Small Islands Studies Association, will be at Maui Community College July 29 to Aug. 3.

Among the keynote speakers are award-winning architect William McDonough; Hawai'i navigator Nainoa Thompson; and Sol Kaho'ohalahala, director of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission.

This will be the ninth such world conference of island scholars, researchers and enthusiasts since 1986. This year marks the first time it is being held in the United States.

For more information on the conference and a schedule of activities: maui.hawaii.edu/isisa 2006/

$500K PLEDGED TO REBUILD MUSEUM

BAE Systems has pledged $500,000 to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitor Center to rebuild and expand the facility.

The $34 million project will almost double the size of the 26-year-old museum and refurbish the visitor center to better accommodate the site's 1.5 million visitors each year.

According to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, the new museum will be designed to serve as the primary repository of artifacts and information related to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific.

BAE Systems is a trans-Atlantic defense and aerospace company.