Past Summits

Thursday, November 21, 2024
9:00am - 5:30pm
Imin Conference Center, UH Mānoa

“Hulihia” refers to an overturning or complete change - a word that aptly describes the transformative power of community leadership in times of crisis. This year’s Piʻo Summit will bring together community organizers, scholars, activists, and survivors in conversations on how communities rise up in the wake of devastating events to demonstrate extraordinary resilience, care, and leadership.

This gathering focuses on two recent catastrophic events that have reshaped landscapes and people across the pae ʻāina — the devastating wildfires that swept through the town of Lāhaina, Maui in August 2023, and the record-breaking rainfall event — dubbed the "rainbomb" — that caused destructive flooding in Kauaʻi in April 2018. These events, while tragic, have revealed the extraordinary resilience, innovation, and leadership born from within affected communities.

Join us to engage in crucial discussion on how our indigenous knowledge, practices and values guide us through crisis and healing. Throughout the summit, key conversations will include:

• Disaster Capitalism and Community Resilience: Examining the economic and social impacts of natural disasters, and how communities can protect themselves from exploitative practices.
• Indigenous Knowledge in Crisis Recovery: Exploring ancestral Hawaiian and other indigenous approaches to strengthen community bonds, healing, land management, and community support in times of crisis.
• Sustainable Rebuilding: Discussing culturally appropriate and eco-friendly and methods for rebuilding affected areas, with a focus on long-term sustainability and community needs. Innovative solutions for rebuilding and recovery
• Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness: Looking at the intersection of climate change and natural disasters, and how indigenous knowledge can inform better preparedness and response strategies.

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Through these conversations, attendees will gain insights into:

• The power of ʻohana (family) and community bonds in crisis response
• Effective communication strategies during and after disasters
• Balancing immediate relief with long-term recovery planning
• Preserving cultural heritage and community identity amidst rebuilding efforts
• Addressing equity and social justice issues that often surface in disaster aftermath
• Harnessing technology and social media for community organizing and support
• Building partnerships between communities, government entities, and aid organizations

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Through this gathering, we aim to harness our cultural values, environmental stewardship, and collective resilience toward a better future. Join us as we learn, heal, and grow together, turning tragedy into a catalyst for positive change and renewed commitment to our land and each other.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023
7:30am - 5:15pm
Hawaiʻi Convention Center‍

The pursuit of convenience today has led to rampant consumerism, throwaway culture, and monumental waste. Product design and manufacturing is focused on efficiency and low cost, with little regard for sustainability. As a result, the linear “take, make, use, waste” economy is built on continuously extracting finite resources just to create products destined for landfills.

In recent years, growing scrutiny around the linear economy has sparked a demand for urgent action on issues regarding limited natural resources, biodiversity loss, climate change, energy efficiency, mass waste, and pollution. Governments across the globe are searching for solutions that decouple economic growth from environmental degradation while ensuring long-term prosperity. One steadily advancing movement is aimed at designing a Circular Economy, where waste is minimal, materials and resources are preserved for as long as possible, and modes of production mimic nature’s regenerative processes.

In ancestral Hawaiʻi, a similar “give, take, regenerate” circular system led to the development of balanced structures of resource management. One example of this can be seen in the ahupuaʻa, a unit of land division and an efficient socio-political management structure that enhanced ecosystems health. Ahupuaʻa, in partnership with a sophisticated governance structure, ensured a successful ancestral circular economy, where resources were managed effectively to promote abundance. Combining contemporary Circular Economy solutions with ancestral knowledge creates integrated approaches to sustainability that are both environmentally regenerative and socially just.

As the state’s largest research institution, the University of Hawai‘i (UH) has an obligation to help improve the quality of life for our residents and to those around the world through innovative research and education. This year, in partnership with the Dana Naone Hall Endowed Chair we created a Piʻo Summit to highlight the need for courageous leadership and ancestral innovation to solve the complex problems of our times. Advancing a Circular Economy in Hawai‘i brings together UH and community partners to advance contemporary applications of ancestral innovation and resource management sciences to help develop sustainable and just solutions for healthy communities in Hawai‘i and around the world.
Advancing a Circular Economy in Hawai‘i is sponsored by the University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, The GSI Family of Companies, Elemental Excelerator and Kamehameha Schools in partnership with Piʻo Summit 2023 and Ulupono Initiative.

Thursday, December 15, 2022
12:00 - 4:30pm
Imin International Conference Center & Kennedy Theatre, UH Mānoa

Wai Sovereignty & Justice was chosen as the theme of our inaugural summit to draw attention and action to the current state of our wai, along with the constant threats our water resources are currently facing. Wai Sovereignty & Justice brought together esteemed community leaders, advocates, and truth speakers who are advancing aloha ʻāina and water justice. The summit consisted of two day-time panels, a networking mixer event and an evening keynote discussion.