FEBRUARY WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

> Saturday, Feb. 4 – Celebrate 2012 World Wetlands Day at Kailua United Methodist Church, 1110 Kailua Rd. The event is sponsored by Ho`olaulima Ia Kawainui, a consortium of nonprofits, the Department of Land & Natural Resources, local businesses and individuals who care about the future of the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh Complex. There will be things to do, entertainment, a plant sale, Marsh tours and more. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Shannon Wood, (808) 247-6366 or info@waa-hawaii.org.

> Wednesday, Feb. 8 — The monthly "Democracy Under the Influence" discussion series explores the connection between money, influence and politics in Hawaii, how it affects us all and what we can do about it. The meetings, held every second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Laniakea YWCA, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu, are free and open to the public. RSVP to democracyundertheinfluence@gmail.com or (808) 275-6275. Cosponsors include Common Cause Hawaii, Kanu Hawaii and League of Women Voters of Hawaii. For updates, visit http://www.commoncause.org/HI/undertheinfluence.

> Thursday, Feb. 9 – The YWCA of Oahu presents a special meeting with members of the 2012 Hawai'i Women's Legislative Caucus, to discuss their current agenda at the YWCA Laniākea, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Moderator is Melissa Pavlicek of Hawaii Public Policy Advocates. The Wahine Forum Network at Laniākea and the Organization of Women Leaders will co-host the event. Cost is $35 for YWCA/OWL members, $45 for non-members; breakfast is included. Register by Feb. 2 through Member Services at (808) 538-7061 or click here to register online.

> Saturday, Feb. 18 -- LA Phil LIVE will return to the Regal Theatres Dole Cannery 18 with a new program, “Dudamel Conducts Mahler 8, ‘Symphony of a Thousand,’” live from Caracas, Venezuela.  Showtime is noon. Gustavo Dudamel was trained in the amazing El Sistema, a Venezuelan orchestra program that changes the lives and communities of children through music. The program is spreading throughout the world, and Hawaii has its own El Sistema inspired program, Kalikolehua - El Sistema Hawaii, which has opened its first program at Kaaawa School, with more sites to come. This broadcast, featuring the LA Phil and El Sistema's Simon Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, will showcase more than 1,000 musicians on one stage to perform one of Mahler's most majestic pieces. Visit www.LAPhil.com/LAPhilLIVE for theater locations, additional information and to purchase tickets. To learn more about Kalikolehua and El Sistema, go to www.kalikolehua.com.

> Saturday, Feb. 18 – Kupu invites the public to a special work day at the Mālama Loko Ea Community Day at the Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond in Haleiwa from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Click here to view the event flyer. All ages are welcome. This is an opportunity to meet new people, get outdoors, learn something new, and most importantly, help make a difference. Click here to register.