Mahalo nui to all those who joined us for the 22nd Annual Native Hawaiian Convention on Maui.

Throughout the convention, we navigated timely and relevant discussions around culture, economic development, education, housing, health, tourism, and community development, with a special focus on Maui, its people, its history, and the future that it seeks.

Watch below a few of the panel discussions and keynote presentations from this year’s convention.

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Panel Discussions

ʻO ke Kahua ma Mua

Learn how Lahaina might set a foundation through community-based land trusts, entrusting Lahaina lands for today and future generations while protecting ʻohana ancestral lands.

Lahaina Community Land Trust, Carolyn Auweloa, Tamara Paltin, William “Butch” Haase, and Reyna Ramolete, moderatated by Laura Hōkū Kaʻakua.

Ola I Ka Wai

Hear directly from the experts about water, its ancestral abundance, current challenges faced by the community, and future forecasts for water management.

Kaleo Manuel, Keʻeaumoku Kapu, Jonathan Scheuer, and Jason Jeremiah, moderated by U’ilani Tanigawa-Lum.

Wai and ʻĀina Bioremediation

Eco-friendly solutions using fungi, plants, and native beneficial microbes to enhance ecological resilience in toxin-contaminated and fire-affected areas.

Leila Darwish, Alika Atay, and Hannah Hartmann, moderated by Noa Kekuewa Lincoln..

Ulu aʻe, Ola loa

Drawing from the best of traditional and modern reforestry and agroforestry approaches for the well-being of ʻāina and kānaka.

Kaipo Kekona, Hōkūao Pellegrino, Koa Hewahewa, Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, Ben Nyberg, and Arthur Medeiros, moderated by Neil Hannahs..

Kapu Ola

A presentation on invoking our kapu and kuanaʻike Hawaiʻi as we restore mana and revive our health and well-being.

Presented by Keola Chan, Momi Awo, Michele Navarro Ishiki, Makalauna Feliciano, and Kaleo Puana..

Ola Loa Ka Lāhui

Reflect on well-being, explore cultural resilience, and strengthen our resolve as kanaka to thrive in our homeland for generations to come.

Presented by Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier and Anu Getgen..

Opening Ceremony

Watch along with the opening ceremony of our 22nd Annual Native Hawaiian Convention on Maui.

Lahaina’s Vision for the Future

Archie Kalepa, Keʻeaumoku Kapu, Kaipo Kekona, moderated by Summer Sylva As Lahaina navigates a path forward, hear directly from community leaders on their vision for the future of Maui Komohana.

Know Your Wai: Where Did the Water Go?

Jerome Kekiwi Jr., Hōkūao Pellegrino, Neil Hannahs, Kekai Keahi, moderated by Kapua Sproat Journey through the historical, legal, cultural, and environmental dimensions of water rights. From traditional Hawaiian practices to modern legal frameworks, we’ll navigate the past, present, and future of water access, conservation, and management.

The Future of Tourism

Mahina Paishon, Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, Kawika Freitas, Joe Ibarra, moderated by Tyler Gomes Community, industry, and government leaders will explore strategies, local engagement, and cultural preservation to shape the future of tourism.

Kanaka Care: Bridging the Gap for Native Hawaiian Health

Sheri Daniels, Cory Lehano, Nicole Apoliona, Kealoha Fox Moderated by: Aukahi Austin Seabury Join this panel of experts in a Native Hawaiian health discussion, as they address ways to transform the current reality of Native Hawaiian health through innovative approaches, clinical trials, and culturally grounded practices.

Hawaiʻi’s Mayors: A Collective Commitment to Housing

Mayor Bissen, Mayor Blangiardi, Mayor Roth, Mayor Kawakami, Moderated by: Micah Kāne Come hear the mayors of O’ahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kaua’i as they discuss affordable housing solutions, plans toward a sustainable future, and commitments to people of Hawaiʻi.

The Relationship Between Native Hawaiians & the Media

Hear from the local news general managers on ways to improve the relationship between the Media and Native Hawaiians. Jason Hagiwara, Kristina Lockwood, Katie Pickman, Moderated by Kūhiō Lewis.

Lahaina Advisory Committee

Hear from committee members on their perspectives for Lahaina’s recovery and where commonalities become one collective voice. Join Archie Kalepa, Kaliko Storer, Kim Ball, Laurie DeGama, moderated by Mālia Kaʻaihue.