A large convention for Native Hawaiians will take place this week on Hawaii Island for the first time.
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, or CNHA, is bringing its 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention to the Hilton Waikoloa Village from Tuesday through Thursday.
As of last week, more than 1,600 had registered to attend the three-day event.
“We are excited to offer the residents of Hawaii Island the chance to take part in the Native Hawaiian Convention, the premier gathering of Native Hawaiians,” said CNHA CEO Kuhio Lewis in a press release. “With its deep historical roots, Hawaii Island serves as a reminder of our past, guiding us as we move towards the future.”
This year’s convention — the theme for which is “Experience Hawaii Island” — will feature the cultural stories and communities of Moku o Keawe with dozens of breakout sessions each day that focus on issues important to Native Hawaiians such as housing, perpetuating culture, land stewardship and regenerative tourism.
In a session, Native Hawaiian practitioners, community organizers and scholars from NDN Collective, H.U.L.I., Ko‘ihonua and ‘Aina Aloha Economic Futures will discuss the social and environmental impacts of the U.S. military presence in Hawaii and the pending expiration of multiple 65-year leases on ceded lands, which includes Pohakuloa Training Area.
The Thirty-Meter Telescope also has been a big discussion this year as the National Science Foundation is set to review potentially funding the project on Maunakea this fall. However, the National Historic Preservation Act first requires consultation with Native Hawaiians.
In light of this consultation, legal experts from the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Native American Rights Fund will discuss how the consultation process works, consulting parties’ roles and rights, and how the Act has been used to protect other cultural landscapes during a breakout session on the last day.
“This year’s convention will get into all of the hot topics that are talked about and give us a chance to figure out where Hawaii Island is collectively,” Lewis said. “This is truly a historic event that will bring voices together from all six regions of the island to one place for these important conversations.”
On Tuesday, the first Plenary and General Session will include an opening ceremony by 32 kumu hula and their haumana from every region of Hawaii Island as they unite it with the mele, “Halehale Hawai‘inuiakea.”
After the opening remarks, Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele will give the keynote address before a panel discussion about the cultural impact of paniolo, a presentation on housing, and the economic outlook for Native Hawaiians, and a panel discussion about the future of Hawaii’s land.
Breakout sessions and talk stories will continue Wednesday, which will emphasize art, culture and fashion in Hawaii, with a fashion show and concert that evening.
During a morning breakout session, designers Manaola Yap, Aloha Victor and Kuha‘o Zane will share the perspectives, stories and inspiration behind their designs and how they want to continue shaping the future of Hawaii fashion.
Later that evening, the Hawaii Island Fashion, Food and Culture Showcase will feature designs from Kaulua‘e Hawaii, Manaola and Sig Zane Designs, along with food creations from chefs Musashi Young, Jayson Kanekoa and Brian Hirata.
On Thursday, the second Plenary and General Session will open the last day of the convention with a year-in-review by Lewis, followed by a keynote address by U.S. Treasurer Chief Marilynn Malerba.
Gov. Josh Green will also address the crowd before a talk story with Vicky Holt-Takamine and Jaime Kanani Green, Hawaii’s first Native Hawaiian first lady.
The first panel on Thursday will be a discussion about integrating Native Hawaiian culture and perspectives into land stewardship, and the second panel will be a discussion with kanaka leaders about the strategies needed to shape the future of tourism for the benefit of Hawaii.
Regenerative tourism will be one of the larger topics throughout the convention, with breakout sessions that will cover the recent bill passed regarding short-term rentals as well as a conversation about hula and performing for visitors.
“CNHA is one of the prime contractors for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which gives a Native Hawaiian organization a seat at the table when it comes to future decision making,” Lewis said. “Tourism is a driving force of the economy in Hawaii, and it’s important for all of us to discuss what we want to see when it comes to change in the industry.”
On Tuesday, the CNHA Tourism Division, or Kilohana, will host a Hawaii Island exclusive huaka‘i with an immersive bus tour that will be grounded in a regenerative tourism model.
People on the tour will visit three sacred and culturally rich sites — Kalahuipua‘a Historical Park, Pu‘ukohola Heiau National Historic Site and Mahukona — and engage with these places in a way that honors the history, environment and communities that cherish them.
Throughout the convention, attendees will have the opportunity to support over 100 locally owned businesses at the Makeke (market), which will be open each day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lastly, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth and mayoral candidate Kimo Alameda will close the convention with a live televised debate from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
For more information and to register for the convention, visit hawaiiancouncil.org/2024convention/.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
