Kona Aquatics Conference
November 5th & 6th, 2026
Aloha!
A group of us from nonprofits like Technical Aquatic Research and Exploration (TARE) and Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund (HWF) have noticed a worrying trend in Kona aquatic science: Ongoing research is increasingly difficult to disseminate and is being conducted by compartmentalized entities. In an effort to communicate, educate and collaborate with fellow scientists, community members, and citizen scientists, we thought it would be a good idea to bring those efforts together.
For two days (November 5th and 6th, 2026) we hope to bring as many resident scientists and ocean / coastal kiaʻi in the same room so they can share and collaborate. What’s more, we’re inviting the public to get involved, too. We’re calling it the “Kona Aquatics Conference” to honor both the past Hawaiʻi Aquatics Conferences (1996 – 2006) and the West Hawaiʻi Integrative Ecosystems Assessment meetings that followed – but we welcome any presenters and attendees from across Hawaiʻi Island.
To all, please help to:
- Save the date, register, and start encouraging any of your researchers who might like to share to start prepping abstracts (due Friday October 3rd!).
- We are building this event from the lava up – do YOU have any suggestions about panel topics or discussion questions? If so, please send them our way!
To presenters, please consider this prompt: How do you feel like your work fits into the larger ocean science community and what are the bigger goals that we should collectively be trying to achieve here?
The venue is already secured (Terraformation has graciously donated the Ridge to Reef Restoration “3RC” Center at the Natural Energy Lab to host us) but everything else is in the works so come join us in making this a successful, intentional, and amazing event! While we hoped to host this event for free of charge, we are asking for a small $20 registration fee to cover any costs and any proceeds will be shared with local nonprofits (in addition to HWF & TARE) to support ongoing research, education and community-based management efforts in the area. Students and attendees unable to pay this fee may request a fee waiver. Registration fee increases to $25 per person on October 15th and $30 per person on November 1st so sign up and pay now:)
Registration is now LIVE and available here:
Step 1. Kona Aquatic Conference 2026 — Registration
Step 2. After completing registering, make the $20 registration payment via the form below.
Step 3. (Optional) Abstract submission — please submit your talk or poster abstract by Friday, October 3rd using this LINK.
Questions or want to be more involved or help sponsor a session (or snack break) or have any other ideas? Please contact us at KonaAquatics2026@gmail.com.
Me ka mahalo,
Jeff Milisen, author
Neal Hoogenboom, Technical Aquatic Research and Exploration
Megan Lamson, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund
