Available to book
Cliff Kapono
Drive innovation in ocean science with Dr. Cliff Kapono, Native Hawaiian surfer-scientist and ASU professor. Cliff integrates Indigenous knowledge with molecular research and fieldwork to advance ocean conservation and reef protection, translating complex science into practical, community-focused approaches. CNN Champion of Change, World Surf League Impact Award recipient, and Explorers Club 50 honoree.
Cliff Kapono is a Native Hawaiian professional surfer, PhD chemist, and assistant professor at Arizona State University who blends science, storytelling, and Indigenous knowledge to rethink how we understand and protect the ocean.
As an assistant professor at ASU’s School of Ocean Futures, he studies coral health and develops new methods to monitor marine ecosystems. His work spans molecular bioscience, reef mapping, and environmental technology, often delivered through initiatives such as the Surfer Biome Project and the MEGA Lab, a nonprofit focused on building accessible tools for ocean conservation.
Alongside his scientific work, Cliff is a professional free surfer and filmmaker. He has produced award-winning films including Moho, Mapping the Reef Cloudbreak, and Surf Wasted, using storytelling to communicate complex environmental issues. His work has been featured by The New York Times, National Geographic, TED, Nature, and The Explorers Club, and he has been recognized as a CNN Champion of Change and an Explorers Club 50 honoree.
Cliff's engagements range from keynote talks and academic panels to media appearances and podcasts, where he discusses ocean science, innovation, and Indigenous perspectives. Cliff helps organizations and audiences rethink sustainability as both a scientific and cultural challenge, grounded in real-world application and community impact.
Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of how environmental challenges intersect with innovation, culture, and responsibility, along with practical ways to think differently about sustainability, science, and long-term stewardship.
Book Cliff to bring a grounded, interdisciplinary perspective on ocean science, innovation, and sustainability to your audience.
Cliff brings a rare combination of lived ocean experience, cultural grounding, and academic expertise, shaped by his background as a Native Hawaiian, professional surfer, and PhD scientist. He connects science, environment, and community in a way that resonates across diverse audiences, particularly in sustainability, research, and conservation-focused settings.
Featured Projects
often considered together
Jim Davidson
Resilience
Change Management
Effective Leadership
Sophie Hellyer
Sustainability
Diva Amon
Science
Sustainability
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Cliff Kapono structures his talks around the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and molecular science, drawing on fieldwork from projects such as the Surfer Biome Project and MEGA Lab to ground environmental concepts in real-world data and community application. He uses documentary filmmaking — including works such as Moho and Surf Wasted — as a parallel communication tool to translate complex ocean science for general audiences.
Dr. Cliff Kapono speaks on ocean science and conservation, Indigenous knowledge and sustainability, and environmental innovation through storytelling. He holds a PhD in chemistry and serves as an assistant professor at Arizona State University's School of Ocean Futures, where his research spans coral health, reef mapping, and molecular bioscience, with his work featured by National Geographic, TED, and The New York Times.
No, PepTalk doesn't charge a booking fee. You pay the speaker's fee plus any travel and expenses, which PepTalk confirms upfront in your quote. The shortlist, contracting and event-day logistics are included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
PepTalk sends a shortlist of matched speakers within 24 hours, each with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. The more you share about your date, audience, format, objectives and budget, the closer the match. Once you choose, PepTalk handles the contract, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range on a PepTalk speaker profile is a guide to what that speaker usually costs for an in-person event in their home market, shown in their local currency. The final fee depends on format, location, date and session length. Virtual and shorter sessions usually cost less, and international travel and peak dates cost more. PepTalk confirms the exact fee in your currency once it has your brief.
No. PepTalk represents 15,000+ speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers, some booked directly and others through their agents and agencies worldwide. The process is the same for all of them: PepTalk checks availability, negotiates the fee and manages the contract and logistics.
Book a speaker three to six months before your event. Allow 12 months for large conferences, peak-season dates or a specific in-demand name. PepTalk also fills last-minute and replacement bookings, often within days, so get in touch as soon as you have a date, even at short notice.
