Please click here to see the Formal Invitation for more details and links to RSVP for weekly training opportunities that start the 1st week of July virtually and in-person.

Formal Invitation with RSVP Links

Here is the invitation to participate in an opening you’ll never forget at the 2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference – the largest annual gathering that brings together practitioners, scientists, conservationists, educators, next generation, and community members from Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific!

The theme of this year’s conference is “E AʻE A ULU” ? with the image to RESTORE & REGENERATE. Kumu Hula (master knowledge holder and teacher), Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani, has been invited to be the Opening Plenary Speaker and has also graciously accepted the ask to align our opening of the conference on Tuesday July 22, 2025, to connect people to place, elements, land, connect to the moment and to one another.

VISION: Our 2025 HCC theme echoes a chant to Hiʻiaka, the gentle younger sister of Pele, a goddess of restoration embodied by the greening of new lava flows after the fiery actions of Pele. ʻO Hiʻiaka kā ke kāula, Nāna i hele a aʻe a ulu– Hiʻiaka is indeed the seer, wherever she goes things sprout and grow. Let us restore and regenerate together! When ʻāina is restored, we are all restored. We will build the moment together with the intention to ground this Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. Welina mai! If your heart needs this, come participate and JOIN US!

WHO can participate in the Opening protocol? Anyone coming to the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. No experience necessary. If you aloha the land, the sea, the community, join us, don’t miss out! Come to the orientations to find out how you can participate. If you are already registered to attend the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, make sure to get to the conference early by 8:30am on Tues July 22nd.

HOW to participate?

Come to training sessions where you can learn mele (song/chant), hula (dance), and more! Trainers will be Kekuhi’s students. This is a special opportunity to connect prior to the conference, so don’t miss out! “GO CHECK EM, GO!” Pick at least one virtual or in-person training to attend. YOU MUST RSVP AT THE LINK BELOW. And if you can’t make any of them, check out the online resources in the link below.