Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu with workshops, marketplace

News admin July 21, 2026 0 Comments

Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu with workshops, marketplace

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The 25th annual Native Hawaiian Convention kicked off Monday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

After several on-the-road conventions, this year’s event returned to Honolulu to shine a spotlight on Hawaiian issues through cultural workshops and discussions on the advancement of the lāhui.

All speaker sessions are in a silent disco format with headphones since the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall has no walls.

“We are all thinking, man, I don’t know how we are going to do this. I don’t know how we are going to do this — and then all of a sudden, we make it happen,” said Max Mukai, Hawaiian Council business development director.

To mark the event, 133 Hawaiian flags lined Ward Avenue and King Street around the Blaisdell Center, representing the 133 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

Marketplace and Executive Closet draw crowds

One of the highlights of the convention is the marketplace by Nā Mea Hawaiʻi. A pink dress by artist Peggy Hopper was a popular seller. Hopper is known for her iconic paintings.

“We made a reproduction of it, which wasn’t last done since like the ’80s or ’70s,” Mukai said.

Kūhiō Lewis, Hawaiian Council CEO, donated 100 of his own aloha shirts for a new initiative: the Executive Closet. Other leaders donated their own Hawaiian designer pieces as well.

Prices are low and sales go toward the Hawaiian Council’s leadership program.

Student attendee Kuana Lewis found a Sig Zane aloha shirt for $20.

“That was pretty major. I wasn’t expecting to find one. I was really hoping, and I got a really nice one,” he said.

Focus on the next generation

The Hawaiian Council said more than 2,200 people registered for the convention, including 300 students. Lewis said he is focusing on the next generation.

“I’m thinking about the time that I first started. I was sitting in the convention in the back of the room and I never thought that I’d be the head of the Hawaiian Council. I’m almost certain that the next CEO — not necessarily of Hawaiian Council, maybe Hawaiian Electric or one of the banks — is going to be in this room,” Lewis said.

“I think this convention means that it’s a place where people can come together and really learn about our culture,” said student attendee Kamalu Zablan.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Native Hawaiian Convention runs through Wednesday, followed by the Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.