Opening Protocol

An invitation

ʻImi i ke ewe o ka ʻāina

Aloha nui~

Here is the invitation to participate in the opening of the 2026 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!

Our Vision

The theme of this year’s conference is ,“ʻimi i ke ewe o ka ʻāina,” translated as, “guided by the wisdom of ʻāina.” Over millions of years, Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and native species have evolved and adapted into the biocultural environments we care for today. Acknowledging that our time horizon as humans caring for Hawai‘i is brief, we search for that deep continuum of knowledge, and we call upon the imagery of ke ewe, a birth cord, reminding us of our connection across generations.

This year’s conference invites us to come together in that spirit — to listen, to learn, and to shape a shared path forward grounded in the wisdom of ʻāina.

We celebrate the poʻe hānau o ka ʻāina, the natives of our land. We ask the land and seas to speak to us, to show us the way forward, and to provide us with the answers to our most formidable challenges. ʻImi i ke ewe o ka ʻāina, may we all be guided by the wisdom of ʻāina. Last year we had the guidance of Kumu Hula, Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani to bring forth the action of the 2025 conference theme, e aʻe a ulu pū — restore and regenerate. The Conference will continue that momentum and make sure that we are grounded and listening to ʻāina. To build this opening protocol we started with the question of, “What does your heart need?” and these are just a few of the kiʻi (images, themes) that stand at the heart of this Kīpaepae:

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Remembering that everyone in the world has a connection to ʻāina, may we reconnect familial connections to honua that have been untethered
Seeking inspiration and clarity following extreme weather events and natural phenomena
Continuing restoration and healing toward deepening and strengthening connections

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Welina mai! If your heart needs this, come participate and JOIN US!

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Conference opening protocol takes place on Tuesday July 14, 2026. We will begin the protocol with an orientation at 8:15am at the Sheraton Hotel second-floor foyer. All conference registration will temporarily pause at 8:00am through the plenary session. Registration will resume at 11:00am. Please plan your arrival accordingly. Early is good!

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And Where?

Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference at the Sheraton Waikīkī & Royal Hawaiian Hotel 2255 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu HI 96815

Who can participate in the opening protocol?

YOU! Anyone attending the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference will have a function in the opening. No experience is necessary. If you aloha the land, the sea, the community, join us, don’t miss out!

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How to participate?

The 1st level of participation is to enter and read this invitation with curiosity and wonder. The 2nd level, if you can’t do any preparation, is to show up at the conference for a welcoming orientation. The 3rd level of participation is to check out the resources.

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Most importantly bring yourself, and a positive attitude
Bring Your Own Lei! Yes, that’s right, this is an important practice of the individual act of GIFTING A LEI to someone. Maybe don’t bring your most prized Niʻihau shell lei, but you can make your own ti leaf lei, doesn’t even have to be native (plumeria, etc.), and if you can’t make one you can ask a friend or perhaps support your local lei maker. Please make sure your lei is clean (free of soil and pests). But what if I have no time!? No stress, just come anyway with your full self.

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If you are curious to participate fully:

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Kīhei – If you have a kīhei and would like to wear one – please do! Those that do not have can make a natural kīhei using greenery (see video tutorial in Learn

ing Resources)

Pū – If you have your own pū or pū ʻohe, and would like to add to the resonating sounds, please bring with you.

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Kuahu – The ku-ahu/kū-ahu is the reminder of our relationship to the natural world and the more-than-human. If you would like to contribute to the kuahu, please bring a plant, lei, or wai (fresh water). Please make sure that what you bring is clean, and free of any pests and/or diseases. See more info below on Kuahu.

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Kuahu plants or lei around the themes of:
- ‘IKE/KNOWLEDGE: plants such as ipu, lama, or kukui,…
- ĒWE/LINEAGE: plants such as ʻieʻie, wiliwili,…
- PILINA/RELATIONSHIP: plants such as pili, kalo,…
- HEALING/RESTORATION: plants such as ʻilima, ʻōlena, ʻawa, pōpolo,…
- WAIKĪKĪ/HELUMOA: plants such as niu, kou,…

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Pūnāwai – If you would like to help us pay tribute to the famous spouting fresh waters of Waikīkī, we invite you to bring a small volume of clean, fresh, water (< 3 ml) to contribute to the Conference’s pūnāwai. Additional guidance and instructions will be circulated prior to conference.

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