HONOLULU (HI Now) - There’s a reason the 2026 Native Hawaiian Convention feels so powerful this year, it is coming back home to Honolulu and gathering the lāhui in a space built for big stories, big conversations, and big connections. From ōpio to kūpuna, the convention is where culture, community, and the future of Native Hawaiian advancement meet in real time, with three days designed to spark pride, learning, and momentum.
Hosted by the Hawaiian Council, formerly known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the convention runs July 20 to 22 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center . Thus convention will bring together leaders, cultural practitioners, educators, entrepreneurs, and lawmakers. Expect unique and infrequent moments including a keynote from Governor Josh Green, a Mayoral Talk Story with all four county mayors, and conversations tackling what is next for Hawaiian Airlines and the push to restore ʻāina to stewardship.
The experience goes beyond the stage. Hands-on workshops invite you to make lei, move through hula, dig into Hawaiian genealogy, and even lean into the spooky side with ghost stories from master storyteller Lopaka Kapanui. Outside the sessions, the energy keeps going with a marketplace that is open to the public, featuring more than 90 vendors, new made in Hawaiʻi releases, designer collaborations, and cultural activations, plus a special Executive Closet curated for young entrepreneurs.
Your convention pass also unlocks something extra, admission to the 51st Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition and Festival, July 23 to 25 at the Blaisdell. To learn more and grab tickets, visit hawaiiancouncil.org/convention and follow @hawaiiancouncil on Instagram and Facebook.
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