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Convention registration will open 5–8PM on Sunday, October 5, and will be open from 7AM–5PM on Monday, October 6, Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8.
Pre-
Convention
Honoring
our past
Uplifting
our present
Advancing
our future
Native Hawaiian Convention finishes with a networking breakfast, closing words, and a cultural exchange with the Tulalip Tribes.
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Collaborate with your fellow convention goers in one of our curated tracks to learn more about the work that is being done in these specific areas, to connect with others at convention who are passionate about these areas, and to seed conversations that will grow far beyond the walls of our 2025 gathering.
EDUCATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
How are Native Hawaiians redefining success by building wealth, knowledge and opportunity?
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi i ka ʻĀina ʻĒ: Nurturing Hawaiian Language in the Diaspora
KALO Hawaiian Civic Club
Tuesday, October 7, 1:30–3PM
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is a living connection to identity, culture, and lāhui. Learn foundational skills, practical resources, and strategies to support learning and daily use in the diaspora. Whether you are beginning your journey or seeking ways to strengthen your practice, this workshop offers a welcoming space to grow, connect, and reaffirm the vitality of our ancestral language.
Defending Native Education
Alaska Federation of Natives, Partners in Development Foundation
Tuesday, October 7, 3:30–5PM
Federal policies like the Native Hawaiian Education Program and Alaska Native Education Program are critical components of the federal government’s trust responsibility to Native communities. Discuss how decades of funding through federal programs and collaboration with Alaska Natives advanced educational outcomes for thousands of students.
Non-Profit Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Capacity-Building
Sophy Yem, Laʻakea Stone, Susie Sands, Kehau Meyer
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
Hear directly from philanthropic and government funders about how to successfully grow and leverage your non-profit funds. Learn how different organizations have been able to convene, advocate, educate, and innovate to dramatically increase investments in Native Hawaiian communities.
Gaming: Reclaiming Wealth and Restoring the Lāhui
Brie Coyle Jones, Brandon Makaʻawaʻawa, Ryan Miller, Anthony A. Marnell III, Tyler Iokepa Gomes
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
Join us to explore how gaming, led by Hawaiians for Hawaiians, can serve as a path toward reconciliation, economic sovereignty, and community-led wealth. This isn’t about casinos—it’s about restoring power, protecting ʻāina, and designing our own future.
SELF-DETERMINATION & POLICY
Can our voices drive the policies that will define the next generation of Native Hawaiians?
What is Federal Recognition?
Summer Sylva, Breann Nuʻuhiwa, Esther Kiaʻāina
Tuesday, October 7, 1:30–3PM
While Native Hawaiians maintain inherent sovereignty as a nation and the federal government has trust duties to the lāhui, Native Hawaiians are not governed by a “federally recognized” Hawaiian government. Learn more about the current state of the law for Native Hawaiians and how other Indigenous peoples operationalize their sovereignty.
Ready to Run and Lead?
John Miyasato, Christine Chen
Tuesday, October 7, 3:30–5PM
Culture has to be the core of our resistance and cultural people have to become political. In this current political climate, we must be able to transform community leadership into policy change. Learn the intricacies of campaigning and what it takes to serve your community in a political office.
Economic Sovereignty
Ti Leaf Group
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
Native peoples have faced numerous historical barriers stemming from colonialism, lack of infrastructure, limited capital, and restricted access to opportunities. Hear how economic sovereignty can be a transformative tool for Indigenous self-determination.
Data on Diaspora
Ward Research, Papa Ola Lōkahi
Wednesday, October 8, 3:30–5PM
How do we continue to learn from multiple viewpoints and aspects of Hawaiian culture? Explore findings from recent studies that investigate Native Hawaiians across the country. Results from these discussions highlight contemporary challenges, different perspectives, common ground, and proposed solutions.
TOURISM & LAND STEWARDSHIP
Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
What if the future of tourism was guided by Indigenous wisdom — and powered by local leadership?
Hot Takes on Tourism
Tyler Iokepa Gomes, Aaron Salā
Moderated by Kelly Knox
Tuesday, October 7, 1:30–3PM
With recent shakeups in the Hawaiʻi tourism ecosystem, things are getting spicy. Hear two leaders in the visitor industry give their thoughts between shots of chili peppah watah and bites of hot wings.
Indigenous Case Studies in Tourism
Dawnielle Tehama, Keolamau Tengan, Teresa Ryder, Kamaka Pili
Moderated by Tyler Iokepa Gomes
Tuesday, October 7, 3:30–5PM
As the regenerative tourism model becomes more prominent, Native Hawaiians have the opportunity to change tourism for the better. Learn how other Indigenous groups have been able to integrate authentic cultural knowledge and responsible practices into the visitor experience.
Crafting an ʻĀina Aloha Regenerative Economy
Kali Watson, Jason Jeremiah, En Young, Nick Koch, Neil Hannahs
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
Ecologically, the koa tree is a keystone species that supports the entire forest ecosystem. Learn how harvesting this endemic acacia can restore forest abundance, create opportunities for Hawaiian-owned businesses, and produce beautiful musical instruments.
Reclaiming Our ʻĀina and Communities
Reclaiming Our ʻĀina and Communities
Wednesday, October 8, 3:30–5PM
Learn how to harness the power of community through the Community Land Trust model in order to reclaim ‘āina, restore our people, and protect homeownership opportunities for generations to come.
CULTURE & ARTS
How does our culture become our greatest strength — not just to preserve, but to lead and transform?
The Digital Lāhui
Sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Daniel Aipa, Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp, Ipo Wright,
Moderated by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
Tuesday, October 7, 1:30–3PM
Social media has changed the way we communicate, learn, and create community. Join the creators behind @thekuproject, @adamkeawe, and @hawaiiandiaspora to hear how they share moʻolelo to an online audience. Explore how Native Hawaiians are engaging lāhui and building pilina digitally.
DISplace Artist Talk
Kanani Miyamoto, Cris Romento, Brandon Naihe, Nyomi Iwalani, Malia Peoples, Bruce Clayton Tom
Tuesday, October 7, 3:30–5PM
‘Dis place’ — this place — is a nod to the pride and resilience of these communities in the face of displacement from their original homelands. Hear from curators on how their art exhibition sheds light on the often-overlooked histories and movement of people who connect Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Northwest since the arrival of the first documented Native Hawaiians to the West Coast in 1787.
Kūlana & Kuleana
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
What is your role and responsibility as a kanaka living on the continent? Feell the manaʻo directly from Kumu Hina about how thinking of kūlana versus kuleana in your daily life can uplift lāhui.
The Kumulipo: A Cosmogonic Genealogy of the World
Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa
Wednesday, October 8, 3:30–5PM
The Kumulipo is a sacred Hawaiian cosmogonic genealogy that connects Kanaka ʻŌiwi back to the time of source darkness—the genesis of the universe. The Kumulipo is the bedrock of ancestral knowledge, serving as a profound expression of Hawaiian worldview and the interconnectedness of all life. Learn more about this chant, from the ancestral coral polyp to all living things to the aliʻi nui of the 1700s.
‘ŌPIO
Aloha ʻĀina Advocacy
Sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Tuesday, October 7, 1:30–3PM
From the Kūʻē Petitions to the Wilikoki Rebellion, our lāhui has a long history of action through aloha ʻāina. Students will discuss current topics, practice their advocacy skills, and create a plan for an issue affecting their community.
Still Hawaiian: Understanding Our Place in Lāhui Through Hula
Pālama Foundation
Tuesday, October 7, 3:30–5PM
ʻŌpio explore hula ʻaihaʻa—a low-postured style inspired by the eruptive power of Pele—and how it connects us to our stories, kūpuna, and lāhui, wherever we are. Through movement, chant, and the story of Pele’s journey of migration, participants will reflect on remaining Hawaiian in diaspora. The workshop combines physical practice with cultural reflection, providing youth with grounding and inspiration as they discover their place within their culture and lāhui.
Indigenous Youth Rights
B. Noelani Iokepa-Guerrero, Papahana Aloha ʻĀina Youth, Tulalip Youth
Wednesday, October 8, 1:30–3PM
Led by Indigenous youth from Hawaiʻi and Tulalip, this collaborative presentation provides an overview of the Declaration of Indigenous Youth international document; the youth developed Tulalip Declaration document; and the process that began the connection between the two communities of Native youth to uplift their peoples.
Mōhala E Nā ʻŌpio: Elevating Native Hawaiian Youth Voices in the Diaspora
KALO Hawaiian Civic Club
Wednesday, October 8, 3:30–5PM
How can Hawaiʻi-based organizations and allies strengthen connections and create meaningful opportunities for our youth beyond the shores of Hawaiʻi? Led by the ʻŌpio leaders of Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona and the Pacific Northwest, reflect on the challenges of limited resources and support in the diaspora and the collective effort behind House Bill 3144, the Pacific Islander Student Success Plan.
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TULALIP RESORT CASINO MAP
BREAKOUT LOCATIONS MAP
Breakout locations correspond with daily breakout session schedules.
TULALIP RESORT & CASINO
Plenary & General
10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271
DON HATCH YOUTH CENTER
Education & Economic Development, ‘Ōpio, Self-Determination & Policy
6700 Totem Beach Rd, Tulalip, WA 98271
MARYSVILLE OPERA HOUSE
Culture & Arts
1225 3rd St, Marysville, WA 98270
TULALIP DINING HALL
Tourism & Environmental Stewardship
4033 76th Pl NW, Tulalip, WA 98271
DINING OPTIONS
AT RESORT
Cedars Cafe | Su-Th: 7AM–11PM
Killer Coffee (Hotel Location) | 6AM–2PM
Killer Coffee (Casino Location) | Open 24 Hours
Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill & Bar | M-Th: 5–9PM, F-S: 5-11PM
Blazing Paddles | Su-Th: 11AM–11PM
Canoes Carvery | M-Th: 7AM–7PM
The Draft Sports Bar & Grill | Su-Th: 6–10AM
Journeys East | Su-Th: 12–10PM
Salish Sun Taqueria, Bar & Burgers | Open Daily: 11–12AM (21+)
Tula Bene Pastaria + Chophouse | W-Th: 5–9PM, F-S: 5-11PM, Su: 5-9PM
Food TRUCKS AT RESORT
Ryan’s REZ-ipes
scapa BBQ
OFF-SITE
Bliss Tea
Cafe Bento
Indian Food Truck
Kung Pao Wok
Lasa Street Food
McDonalds
Poke Pekoe
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Starbucks Coffee
Subway
Villa Italian Kitchen
Yee-Roh