Page 48 - Perceptions papers

SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON OUR SPEAKERS

Ahmed, Saleem, Ph.D. (Summary speaker)
Born in India, raised in Pakistan, and living in Hawaii since 1973. Ph.D. in Soils Science from
the University of Hawaii (1965). Worked in Pakistan as agronomist and contributed to Pakistan’s
Green Revolution (1960s). Directed the Honolulu-based East-West Center’s international project
seeking safe alternatives to dangerous synthetic pesticides; and introduced to Hawaii, South
Asia’s neem tree, renowned for its safe pest-control properties. Authored: Islam: A Religion of
Peace? (2002) and Scrabble Word-Building Book (1998). Recent-most article: Moving from
Reactive Islam to Proactive Islam, scheduled to appear in the December 2017 issue of the
International Journal on World Peace. Founder-president, Honolulu-based All Believers
Network. Distinguished Toastmaster and cruise ship speaker.
(Contact: AlohaSaleem@gmail.com).

Borthakur, Dulal, Ph.D (Hinduism)
Professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii. . He
received his PhD in molecular biology from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England,
and postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago before joining the University of Hawaii at
Manoa in 1989. He teaches molecular biology and cell biology to undergraduate and graduate
students, and conducts research on biochemical and molecular biology aspects in two tree
legumes. He accepts Vedanta philosophy as the foundation of his spiritual life and believes in
the laws of karma and reincarnation. (Contact: dulal@hawaii.edu).

Clark, M. Kauila (Hawaiian Spirituality)
University of Puget Sound,Tacoma, Washington, MFA (1972) and University of Kansas,
Lawrence, Kansas, ABD (1976). Eric university, Leesburg, Virginia National facilitator of
substance abuse prevention (1994). Inst. of Zen Studies, Kalihi, Hawaii, Shihan (1994).
Traditional Hawaiian Healing, Waianae Oahu, Kahuna, title given by papa Ola lokahi and the
state of Hawaii (2006). Many honors and awards, art, permanent collection, Smithsonian
National Indian Museum, Washington DC (2009). Native voices, Traditional Healers of America
National inst. of Health, Washington DC (2012). Chairman of the Board, National Association of
Community Health Centers, Washington DC. (2011-13); Spiritual leader of the voyage of the
voyage of Aloha (2013); Spiritual and inspirational leader, Unity Church (2015). Has taught at
various universities for the 15 years, and had lectured on traditional Hawaiian medicine at the
University of Hawaii Medical School for 10 years. Serves as the Hawaiian Priest performing all
ancient and traditional ceremonies of ancient Hawaii. (Contact: kauilaclark2013@gmail.com)

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