If you want to solve a problem, one good way is to get together a couple dozen smart, influential people from different walks of life and ask for their ideas.

That’s the driving force behind this Wednesday’s half-day conference called Recovery and Transformation: Straight Talk on Rebuilding Our Troubled Economy.

I had a role in organizing it, but it is mostly the work of Jay Fidell and ThinkTech Hawaii, and the Hawaii Venture Capital Association.

It starts with a wake-up speech from developer Dick Gushman. I’m on the second panel, which is called Identifying Challenges Before It’s Too Late, and I’ll be talking about “Missing Media.” Joining me are Randy Perreira, leader of the HGEA, aquaculture entrepreneur Bill Spencer, developer Peter Savio, and two longtime government executives, Kate Stanley and John Farias. Mary Fastenau of Anthology will be moderating.

The second panel is called Building Best Practices for Hawaii. Moderated by UH economist Jack Suyderhoud, the panel includes historical filmmaker Tom Coffman, law professor Mari Matsuda, political scientist Neil Milner, global entrepreneur Sheridan Tatsuno and community volunteer Rann Watumull.

Craig Howes and Jon Osorio then will talk briefly about their new book, “Knowing the Past, Shaping the Future,” before we start the third panel, which is Making Plans to Shape Our Future.

Moderated by HawaiiNewsNow reporter Howard Dicus, that panel includes travel industry executive Rick Egged, energy entrepreneur Darren Kimura, community leader Sol Kaho‘ohalahala from Maui, YWCA CEO Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui, real estate economist Mike Sklarz and education entrepreneur Lynn Rasmussen.

We’ll have a high-powered group for a luncheon discussion: Bank of Hawaii CEO Peter Ho, Robin Campaniano of the Ulupono Initiative, Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and Janet Liang, Hawaii region president for Kaiser Permanente.

I’m looking forward to collecting some good ideas on revitalizing our economy.

Here’s the details:

Time: Wednesday, August 25
8:00 am to 1:30 pm

Place: Plaza Club, 20th Floor
No validated parking

Price: $65 general admission
$55 students and sponsor members
Includes breakfast and lunch

Register: http://www.regonline.com/recovery

http://outreach.hawaii.edu/thinktechsummer