JULY 21, 2026

DAY 1

Hoʻokūpaʻa

Check in to get your name tag and event information for all three days of the Native Hawaiian Convention.

Shop Hawai‘i-based curated products that represent the unique culture, spirit, and artistry of its people.

Grab a bite to eat from a variety of local food trucks and vendors.

OPENING CEREMONY

9AM–12:00PM

A special tribute to the islands

Kūhiō Lewis
Hawaiian Council, Chief Executive Officer

Governor Josh Green

Kali Watson, Sheri Daniels, Jack Wong, Kai Kahele (mod.)

Native Hawaiian programs are facing unprecedented legal challenges, with a growing number of lawsuits seeking to dismantle initiatives designed to serve Native Hawaiian communities. Hear directly from those defending these programs as they provide updates on their cases, unpack the legal arguments being made, and discuss what is at stake for the future of Native Hawaiian self-determination, equity, and community well-being. This timely and important conversation will explore the broader implications of these challenges and the path forward for protecting programs that support Native Hawaiians across the pae ʻāina.

Land Back is not a future vision, it’s happening now. Across the pae ʻāina, Native Hawaiian communities are reclaiming stewardship, restoring relationships to ʻāina, and advancing efforts to return Hawaiian lands to Hawaiian hands. Join practitioners, leaders, and advocates on the front lines of this movement as they share the successes, challenges, and transformative work reshaping Hawaiʻi’s future.

BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS

1:00–2:45PM

Hawai‘i Water Safety Coalition, Shirley De Rego, John “Kalei” Clark, Kalani Vierra, Matt Kauwe, Allison Schaefers

Hawaiʻi has the second highest resident drowning rate in the nation, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders making up more than a third of those deaths. Drowning death rates for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are 1.5 times higher than for other ethnicities, and three times higher for our keiki. How can we address those disparities and ensure that Hawai‘i is a place where everyone has the skills, knowledge, and resources to stay safe in, on, and around the water?

Shay Kauwe, Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, Kealani Netane

The power of literature lies in both preservation and innovation. Native Hawaiian storytelling carries generations of ʻike, shaping identity, resistance, and imagination across time. This panel brings together published Hawaiian authors to explore the evolution of moʻolelo from oral tradition to contemporary literature. Hear how they balance cultural responsibility, language revitalization, and ancestral knowledge while engaging modern audiences.

Can gaming be a catalyst for Native Hawaiian self-determination? Join us for a bold and engaging conversation exploring Indigenous gaming models from across the continent and what lessons they hold for Hawaiʻi. Together, we’ll examine the opportunities, challenges, and realities of gaming as a pathway to reconciliation, economic sovereignty, and community-driven prosperity for our lāhui.

EPIC

How are we defined? The line between racial classification and political identity can get blurred, confused, and distorted but can make all the difference. These definitions are the foundation of numerous attacks on the Native Hawaiian Community and rights to self-determination. Let’s discuss the nuances of Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander racial categories and how we can start defining ourselves.

From the Maui wildfires to the recent Kona storms, Native Hawaiian communities have shown the power of collective action in times of crisis. Join frontline responders, community leaders, and advocates as they share lessons from recovery efforts and explore how collaboration, culture, and aloha continue to guide resilience, healing, and rebuilding. Discover what it takes to strengthen our communities before, during, and after disaster strikes.

BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS

3:30–4:45PM

Kula No Na Poʻe Papakolea

Kula No Na Poʻe Hawaii in partnership with the UH-Department of Native Hawaiian Health and Papa Ola Lokahi would like to present conferees with a Native Hawaiian Health – Community Report of various Native Hawaiian Health initiatives and community-based participatory research projects conducted throughout our pae ʻāina. 

Few issues spark as much debate as legalized gaming. Could it unlock new pathways to economic sovereignty, community investment, and self-determination for our lāhui—or would the costs outweigh the benefits? Join us for a bold, no-holds-barred conversation as we unpack the promises, pitfalls, and political realities of gaming. Explore Indigenous success stories, challenge assumptions, and imagine what Hawaiʻi’s future could look like if we dared to think differently.

Nation of Hawaiʻi, Molokai Heritage Trust, Lahaina Community Land Trust, Keoni DeFranco (mod.)

ʻĀina back is just the beginning, what we build next matters. This panel explores strategies of ʻāina back through occupation, acquisition and community land trusts and discusses both the challenges and opportunities in building ea after ʻāina is reclaimed. Puʻuhonua is presented as a model to build resilient, economically autonomous communities.

Terry Panee – Polynesian Cultural Center; Kiri Fualautoalasi- Mauka Lūʻau, Mahealani Mika – NLA and Kilohana Japan

What is the role of the lūʻau in Hawaiʻi today? Join lūʻau owners and cultural practitioners for a lively conversation on the evolution of this iconic tradition and the balance between cultural authenticity, community responsibility, and business realities. Explore how lūʻau continue to preserve ʻike, share Hawaiian culture with the world, and create meaningful connections that extend far beyond the dinner table.

What happens after we throw something away and who pays the price? From overflowing landfills to threats to our lands, waters, and communities, Hawaiʻi faces difficult choices about the future of waste management. Join community leaders, environmental advocates, and policymakers for a timely and spirited discussion on landfill siting, capacity, environmental justice, and sustainable solutions. Grounded in the values of aloha ʻāina, this session challenges us to rethink our relationship with waste and explore what it truly means to care for the places we call home.

Makaliʻi Metrics

Located in Mōʻiliʻili, Makali‘i Metrics delivers locally tailored soil data for farmers, ranchers, researchers and land stewards that actually reflects their land. Guided by the principles of aloha ʻāina, learn about the infrastructure and actionable data going directly into the hands of the people growing Hawaiʻi’s food and restoring its land.

EVENING