2nd Annual He Aliʻi Ka ʻĀina Educator Conference

Dates: October 9 and 10, 2025

Time: 8:15 am to 3:00 pm

Location: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School

Cost: $100 per participant*

Join us this October for another transformative 2-day professional development conference dedicated to integrating the principles of aloha ‘āina and ea into educational practices.

Held at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School on October 9 and 10, 2025 from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm, the 2nd Annual He Aliʻi Ka ʻĀina Educator Conference is designed to empower kumu with the tools, resources, and networks you need to incorporate place-based and Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE) in classrooms. Our hui of educators, community leaders, and cultural practitioners is committed to fostering a deeper connection between haumāna, ʻāina, ʻike kūpuna, and community.

The conference will feature over 20 unique workshop sessions focused on the following key areas:

Building ʻĀina Literacy and Culturally Responsive Education in Hawaiʻi
Embracing Sustainability: Integrating ʻĀina-Based Practices for Hawaiʻi’s Future
Kūkulu Artificial Intelligence (AI): Building AI tools for Hawaiian Language Futures and Aloha ʻĀina
Ea and Education: Honoring Hawaiʻiʻs Truths
No ke Aʻo ʻAna i Ke Kula ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Teaching and Learning in Hawaiian Medium
ʻUlu A’e: Growing Strong Roots in Early Learning

Click here to view the confirmed presenters who will be joining us from across the state (note: schedule and presenters are subject to change).

Daily breakfast and lunch as well as conference makana are included in your $100 registration fee.

*Thanks to the generosity of the Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation and the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, a limited number of registration scholarships and travel stipends were awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are no longer available.

CONFERENCE STRANDS

Building ʻĀina Literacy and Culturally Responsive Education in Hawaiʻi

To be an educator in Hawaiʻi, we must all continue to learn about the history and current conditions of this place. The workshops and speakers in this campaign focus on developing ‘ike ʻāina – knowledge from and about this land we call home. Children who learn in an environment that is ‘āina-literate grow to be grounded, empowered, and culturally literate in any space they exist in. Participants will have opportunities to learn more about place-based education in general, Hawaiian history, significant contemporary movements, strategies for building ʻāina literacy as an educator and institution, and the importance of using original place names with students.

Embracing Sustainability: Integrating ʻĀina-Based Practices for Hawaiʻi’s Future

This strand focuses on fostering a deep connection to Hawaiʻi’s land and natural resources through ʻāina-based practices. Sessions will explore how traditional knowledge, conservation, and cultural values can guide sustainable living and stewardship of the environment. The aim is to inspire a lifelong commitment to caring for Hawaiʻi’s fragile yet resilient ecosystems.

Kūkulu Artificial Intelligence (AI): Building AI tools for Hawaiian Language Futures and Aloha ʻĀina

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly woven into our daily lives, what role can it play in revitalizing and normalizing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Aloha ʻĀina via conservation and management? This strand explores how kumu, students, and community leaders can shape the future of AI tools that kākoʻo ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Aloha ʻĀina practices. From designing custom classroom assistants to unlocking the wisdom of 19th-century nūpepa, to enhancing ahupuaʻa restoration efforts- this campaign will feature some of todayʻs innovators who are at the forefront of this work to engineer and test bold ideas while ensuring security and protection for ʻike kupuna and wahi pana. We invite you to join this interactive series of sessions.

Ea and Education: Honoring Hawaiʻiʻs Truths

Join us for an enlightening session that delves into the rich yet tumultuous history of Hawaiʻi from the perspective of the kanaka maoli. This session offers educators a vital opportunity to explore the complex historical events that have shaped the lives and identities of Native Hawaiians. We will examine the impact of colonization, land dispossession, and cultural suppression, alongside the resulting intergenerational trauma that continues to affect communities today. By deepening your understanding of these historical contexts, you will be better equipped to foster empathy, support culturally responsive education, and honor the resilience and cultural heritage of the Hawaiian keiki in your classroom.

No ke Aʻo ʻAna i Ke Kula ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Teaching and Learning in Hawaiian Medium

For over 30 years, Hawaiian Medium Education has been a cornerstone of the Hawaiian language revitalization movement. The dedicated educators within this field are not only fluent in the Hawaiian language but are also well-versed in language and knowledge acquisition strategies that are fundamental to Hawaiian Immersion classrooms.

This strand offers a unique opportunity to delve into the heart of Kaiapuni Education, providing a platform to share innovative strategies, profound reflections, and essential resources for all those passionate about the future of Hawaiian language and culture.

ʻUlu A’e: Growing Strong Roots in Early Learning

How do we care for our youngest learners in ways that carry culture forward? This campaign explores how early learning—birth through age 8—can be a powerful space for strengthening identity, ʻohana, and aloha ʻāina. Rooted in child development, culture, and place, this strand centers practices that help children thrive while honoring the knowledge that shapes who we are. Sessions will highlight how early experiences can either deepen our connection to ʻike kūpuna—or risk letting it fade. Presenters include researchers, educators, and community leaders who are imagining what a Hawaiian culture-based education system might look like from the earliest years—one small, intentional step at a time. Together, we’ll reflect, share, and grow a vision for early learning rooted in values, connection, and small actions that shape lasting change.

Contact the host of He Ali'i Ka 'Aina Educator Conference

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