JULY 21, 2026

DAY 1

Hoʻokūpaʻa

Encompassing the theme of being “steadfast”, the first day of the 2026 Native Hawaiian Convention will feature a dynamic series of discussions centered on timely issues and pressing topics impacting our lāhui. Join us to explore the challenges and opportunities before our communities while reaffirming our shared commitment to remaining steadfast in advancing the well-being, resilience, and future of the Native Hawaiian people.

Make sure you check-in before the activities begin! Grab your badge, a program, and find more information about everything happening during 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.

Need to take a break? Want somewhere to hang out connect with friends? Enjoy live mele throughout the day in our Hale Hoʻoluana lounge! Stop in to relax, or tune in to Channel 8 on your headset.

OPENING CEREMONY

9:00AM–12:00PM

Don’t miss this showstopping start as we pay tribute to our paeʻāina, remember where we’ve come from, and look boldly toward the future.

Kūhiō Lewis
Hawaiian Council, Chief Executive Officer

Jocelyn Doane
Department of Enterprise Services, Deputy Director

Governor Josh Green

Kali Watson, Sheri Daniels, Jack Wong, Kaialiʻi Kahele 

With Native Hawaiian programs facing a growing number of threats, this timely conversation will underscore the progress we’ve made, the impact for our lāhui, and what is at stake for the future of Native Hawaiian self-determination, equity, and community well-being.

Diana Birkett Rakow, Alisa Onishi, Kūhiō Lewis

As Hawaiian Airlines enters a new chapter as part of the combined Alaska Air Group, many in Hawaiʻi have questions about the future of our hometown airline. Join a conversation about the company’s dual brand strategy, its commitment to preserving and strengthening the Hawaiian Airlines brand, and how Hawaiian language, culture, and community will continue to shape its future.

Zhantell Dudoit Lindo, Kelly Miyamura, Davis Price, Alapaki Nahale-a

Land Back is not a future vision; it’s happening now. Hear from the practitioners, leaders, and advocates making it happen as they share the successes, challenges, and lessons shaping Hawaiʻi’s future. Be part of the movement to reclaim Hawaiian lands for Hawaiʻi.

BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS

1:00PM–2:45PM

Brie Coyle Jones, Brandon Makaʻawaʻawa, Bennae Calac, Bonnie Genovese, Tyler Iokepa Gomes

Can casinos be a catalyst for Native Hawaiian self-determination? Join us for a conversation exploring Indigenous gaming models from across the continent and what lessons they hold for Hawaiʻi.

Shay Kauwe, Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, Kealani Netane

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.

Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Davis Price, Aunty Lynette Cruz, Dr. Jamaica Osorio, Leināʻala Ley, Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua (moderator)

As long-standing military leases approach expiration, examine what is at stake and what becomes possible when we center Kanaka ʻŌiwi. Explore pathways toward restoration, remediation, return, co-stewardship, continued use, and other negotiated futures, while affirming a fundamental truth embodied in hoʻihoʻi ea: that the kuleana to steward these lands has never been extinguished, but continues to be entrusted from one generation to the next.

American Diabetes Association

This workshop offers a culturally-grounded look at how diabetes affects Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families and the steps we can take to protect our collective health. Learn what diabetes looks like in our communities, why early prevention matters, and how clinical research can open doors to better treatments when NHPI voices are included. Together, we’ll explore practical tools to support our ʻohana and strengthen wellness across our islands and diaspora.

Rainbow Uliʻi-Akina, Melissa Kaonohi-Camit, Kui Adolpho, Kehau Meyer

From the Maui wildfires to the recent Kona storms, Native Hawaiian communities have shown the power of collective action in times of crisis. Join 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.

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?

Honolulu Charter Commission

Once every ten years, Honolulu voters get to participate in revising the County Charter and updating the guiding policy on how the Mayor, City Council, and departments operate, how decisions are made, and how services are delivered. Learn about what might be on your ballot this November!

BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS

3:00PM–4:45PM

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.

Terry Panee, Kiri Fualautoalasi, Mahealani Mika, Kipe Ebana

How has tradition changed over time, and what does authenticity mean today? Join lūʻau producers and kumu hula for a lively panel discussion on the evolution of this iconic experience, the balance between cultural stewardship and business realities, and the role lūʻau continue to play in sharing Hawaiian culture and stories with the world.

Nation of Hawaiʻi, Molokai Heritage Trust, Lahaina Community Land Trust, ʻĀina Maluhia o Waiʻanae

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.

Kula No Na Poʻe Papakōlea, B. Puni Kekauoha, Mele Look, Claire Townsend Ing, Keaweaimoku Kaholokula, Adrienne Dillard

From research to real-world impact, this session highlights Native Hawaiian health initiatives led with communities. Kula No Nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi, in partnership with the UH Department of Native Hawaiian Health and Papa Ola Lōkahi, presents a community-centered report highlighting Native Hawaiian health initiatives and community-based participatory research taking place across the pae ʻāina. Learn how these efforts strengthen health, well-being, and pilina.

Councilmember Andria Tupola, Rep. Darius Kila, Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā

What happens after we throw something away? 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, let’s rethink our relationship with waste and explore what it truly means to mālama the places we call home.

Hawaiian Council

E komo mai to our Hawaiian Council Membership Mixer. Enjoy this time to learn about your benefits and network with other members: bring your swag, your flyers, and yourself to learn about other members. Not a member, but interested? You are welcome too!

Andre Perez, Keoni Lee, Camille Kalama, Koʻihonua

Native Hawaiian-led organizations are carrying essential work for Hawaiʻi’s future, yet philanthropy does not always have clear ways to see, count, value, or sustain that work. This session shares emerging findings from a Native Hawaiian philanthropy scan on where funding flows, who gets counted, and why serving Native Hawaiians is not the same as investing in Native Hawaiian leadership. Participants will help reflect on what the research affirms, what it may miss, and what needs to be understood before the report moves publicly. 

EVENING

Official Afterparty at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach SWELL Pool Bar

Improv Superette