Conference showcases conservation efforts to protect Hawaii’s native species, ecosystems

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Conservation leaders from across the world will gather for the 33rd annual Hawaii Conservation Conference (HCC) happening July 14-16 at Helumoa, Waikiki.

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More than 1,000 attendees will take part in workshops and programs and interact with more than 60 vendors and educational booths at events at the Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort and The Royal Hawaiian.

Aimee Sato, Stewardship Coordinator from the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve with UH Manoa, and Trevor Taylor, Director of Conservation at the Nature Conservancy-Hawaii and Palmyra Atoll, are part of the Hawaii Conservation Alliance that organizes the conference.

They will join HNN’s Sunrise on Sunday morning to talk about efforts on the ground and how the public can support.

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“HCC is the most visible and largest gathering of our community, where we celebrate achievements and colleagues, and mobilize ideas turning them into actions. We know that the last year and near future have been challenging times for our sector,” Sato said. “HCC is a way to maintain momentum, stay focused on our collective missions of native species and ecosystems protection and restoration, and stay strong as a community.”

“HCC is a place for all,” said Taylor. “Everyone has a kuleana and a role to play in mālama ʻāina…no action is too big or small and there is a place at conference that will resonate with everyone across all sectors and corners of Hawaii, including public private, etc.). HCC is where HCA makes visible our commitments to biocultural stewardship creating an inclusive space where all sciences/ways of knowing intersect with management, education, etc.

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For more information, visit hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2026.