Conflict Resolution Alliance (CRA)

Matthew Nagato is currently the Communications Director for the Hawai’i Primary Care Association, a nonprofit public health organization dedicated to improving the health of communities. He is also the writer, director, and producer of the documentary Ola – Health is Everything. Since 1987, he has worked for a variety of Hawai‘i’s health care organizations, applying his diverse expertise in strategic planning, operations management, communications, marketing, product development, and information systems After many years in the health care delivery and financing sectors, Matthew has most recently devoted his energies to transforming the health care system and creating thriving communities. 

In 2011 and 2012, Matthew managed two critically acclaimed media projects; the Feel Good awareness campaign and animated “What is a Community Health Center?” project received national and international attention for their clear and inventive use of video to educate and improve advocacy. 

He speaks regularly at health care conferences and to medical organizations on system transformation, health care reform, and innovation. In 2013, he was an invited speaker at the TEDx Honolulu event “Cultivating Community.”

His second documentary project, “‘Ike: Knowledge is Everywhere,” was an official selection of the 2014 Hawai’i International Film Festival.

The Association for Conflict Resolution is getting ready for their next Conference, which will be held in Reno, Nevada – October 7 – 10, 2015. And they have set a deadline – December 15, 2014 at 12 midnight Eastern time – for receiving proposals As indicated by Cindy Alm in our 17-min video interview on the ACR Conference 2014 every year ACR offers a great opportunity not only to share new ideas and projects related to conflict resolution. But also to meet the people who are behind those ideas and are determined to turn them into reality. The theme of next year ACR Conference is ” Thinking About Our Thinking*: From Emerging Research to Practical Application” (* in memory of Dr. John Haynes).

Cheryl Jamison, ACR outgoing President, wrote a message that reads: “One question that I have been asked over the last several months and particularly this week is how do I feel as my term as president comes to an end? My answer is mixed.” Read on

On October 22, 2014 ACR Hawaii board member Giuseppe Leone interviewed Cindy Alm. She is Past President of ACR Hawaii, member of the Advisory Council for ACR Commercial Section, and co-editor of the ACResolution Magazine. During that 17-min interview, Cindy not only shared her experience during the past ACR Conference, which was held in Cincinnati, Ohio – October 8-11, 2014. She also explained why she believes that ACR Hawaii could become a national leader in conflict resolution in multiethnic communities, and share our experience and know-how with the rest of the country.

ACR-Hawaii’s Nominating Committee is seeking dedicated, energetic, and knowledgeable members to serve as volunteer leaders for the following positions. The terms will commence at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on Friday, December 5, 2014. President-Elect, who will serve a three-year term. The first year will be as President Elect, the second year as President, and the third year as Immediate Past President Vice President, who will serve a one-year term Secretary, who will serve a one-year term Treasurer, who will serve a one-year term Directors At Large, who will each serve two-year terms Officers and Directors must be members of both ACR-Hawaii and ACR-National. All recommendations for officers and directors must be received, in writing, by October 31, 2014. Please include the person’s name and position(s) for which the recommendation is being made. For further information on the duties and qualifications of officers and directors, please contact Cindy Alm, calmhawaii@gmail.com

In honor of 2014 Conflict Resolution Day, the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution has issued a SPECIAL EDITION OF ADR TIMES NEWSLETTER Picture of City and County of Honolulu, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, proclaiming October 16, 2014 as Conflict Resolution Day. (Pictured L-R: Lisa Jacobs (Board Member, Association of Conflict Resolution (“ACR”) Hawaii), Gen. Frances I. Mossman (Ret.) (Board Member, ACR Hawaii), Andrew C. Hipp (Director, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution), Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Anne Smoke (Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict; President-Elect, ACR Hawaii), Tracey Wiltgen (Executive Director, The Mediation Center of the Pacific), and the Hon. Diana Warrington (ret.) (Board Member, ACR Hawaii).

Mahalo to Annaleah Atkinson for writing this article Conflict Resolution Day and Beyond