Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026

One Team. A Shared Mission. Our Kuleana.

Registration (Closed)
Registration (Closed)
Event Overview
Event Overview
Schedule
Schedule
Sponsors
Sponsors
Contact
Contact

Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026

Bringing together partners across Hawaiʻi to learn, share, and advance wildfire readiness and resilience.

Join us for the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026, a two-day gathering on Kauaʻi bringing together agencies, organizations, and communities from across Hawaiʻi to learn together, share progress, and advance wildfire resilience statewide.

This year’s event is hosted through a partnership between the Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, and Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, with support from additional County of Kauaʻi partners and fire and emergency management partners from across the state and country.

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Three people, including a person dressed in a hawk costume with a yellow vest, hat labeled 'KALEO', and big yellow feet, standing together at the Hawai'i Wildfire Summer event. They are smiling and posing for the photo in front of a colorful backdrop
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Banner for the 2026 Hawaii Wildfire Summit featuring logos of various Hawaii state agencies and organizations, with a background image of a wildfire burning during sunset.

Wildfire Summit 2026 Registration

Registration has ended. The summit has reached capacity, and we are unable to accept additional registrations at this time.

If you are a presenter or speaker and have not yet registered, please contact us at admin@hawaiiwildfire.org

Event Overview:

When

May 7, 2026 (afternoon & evening) and May 8, 2026 (full day)

Where

Summit Kickoff May 7:
Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center
4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766

Full Program Day May 8:
Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766

Cost

$55 per person

Registration fee includes:

  • Thursday evening networking and dinner

  • Friday lunch

  • Registration processing fees

Early registrants will receive a swag bag while supplies last.

The Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Kauai, with palm trees, a sidewalk, and cloudy sky.

Program Overview

Thursday, May 7: Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center (Afternoon and Evening Only)

Kickoff + National Perspectives

2:00 PM Registration

3:00 PM Summit Kickoff

The summit begins with an afternoon kickoff session that brings attendees together for a shared start to the event.

Highlights include:

  • Welcome from state and county partners

  • Opening ceremony

  • National perspectives on wildfire management, initiatives, and coordination

5:00-6:00 PM Networking Reception

6:00 PM Hosted Dinner

This session sets the stage for the summit, connecting Hawaiʻi’s work to broader national efforts and partnerships.

Friday, May 8: Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall (Full Day, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)

Working Across the System

9:00 AM Opening remarks: introduction to the theme and statewide context of programming

Fire Adapted Communities (FAC)

Explore how people, policies, and the built environment contribute to wildfire resilience.

Sessions include:

  • Firewise Communities panel featuring local leaders and statewide updates

  • Kauaʻi planning and WUI code implementation

  • State policy, funding, CWPP, and mapping updates

Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL)

Focus on land management strategies that support healthy, fire-resilient ecosystems.

Sessions include:

  • Statewide grant program projects and lessons learned

  • Mitigation efforts and updates from MEMA

  • Practical strategies for managing wildfire risk across landscapes

Safe & Effective Response (SER)

Learn how fire and emergency response agencies are strengthening preparedness and coordination.

Sessions include:

  • County and statewide response coordination efforts

  • Cross-agency collaboration and operational strategies

Final Reflections + Coordination

The summit concludes with a forward-looking discussion on statewide collaboration, coordination, and shared responsibility, reinforcing the theme of One Team. A Shared Mission. Our Kuleana.

Closing includes:

  • Reflections on Hawaiʻi’s progress and future direction

  • Moving forward together across agencies, organizations, and communities

  • Closing protocol and acknowledgements

The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit will be pau at 4:00 PM.

Conference room filled with seated attendees watching a presentation on a large screen at the front.

Venue + Travel

Venue

Summit Kickoff May 7:
Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center
4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766

Full Program Day May 8:
Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766

Parking

Free parking is available on site.

Airport

Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) is the primary airport for attendees.

Ground Transportation

Rental cars, rideshare, and taxis are available on Kauaʻi. Personal or rental vehicles are the most efficient way to travel between venues.

Lodging

The Summit will take place in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, across two locations.

There are a variety of nearby hotels and vacation rentals, allowing participants to choose accommodations that best fit their needs. No room block has been reserved for this event, providing flexibility to book what works best for you.

Accessibility

If you need an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aids or services, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization at admin@hawaiiwildfire.org as soon as possible.

Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.

A man giving a presentation about wildfire management, standing behind a podium in a classroom. A slide on the screen is titled 'Wildland-Urban Fire Summary' and contains bullet points about wildfire prevention and community measures.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • You are welcome to attend whichever portion of the Summit you are able. If you must choose just one day, we strongly recommend Friday, which serves as the primary Summit day and features the full program of Hawaiʻi-focused presentations, updates, and discussion.

  • There are many hotels and vacation rentals within 10 miles of the Kauaʻi Convention Hall. No hotel block has been reserved, as local kamaʻāina rates often offer the best value and allow flexibility for attendees to choose what works best.

  • No. This event is designed to be in person for the best learning, sharing, and partnership building. We will film and share select highlights afterward for those unable to attend.

  • The Summit spans two venues to support different sessions and activities. It is one cohesive, two-day experience, with each day building on the other. We strongly encourage attending both days to get the full value.

Sponsors + Partners

The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit is made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors.

Become a Sponsor

Interested in supporting the 2026 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit?

Your contribution helps bring together agencies, organizations, and communities from across Hawaiʻi to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance wildfire resilience statewide.

Sponsorships support event costs and help ensure broad participation from communities and partners across the state.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizations that support the summit will receive:

  • $1,000+
    One complimentary registration and acknowledgment on the summit website

  • $2,500+
    Two complimentary registrations, website acknowledgment, and optional outreach/vendor table

  • $5,000+
    Four complimentary registrations, website acknowledgment, optional outreach/vendor table, and public recognition during the event

All contributing organizations will be acknowledged in summit materials and communications.

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Support the Summit

Learn How to Become a Donor
Learn How to Become a Donor

Questions:

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
admin@hawaiiwildfire.org

Contact Information

  • HWMO email: admin@hawaiiwildfire.org

    If you have any questions at the conference, please look for a Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization staff member.

  • Located in: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School

    Address: 4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766

    Phone: (808) 431-4120

  • Address: 4191 Hardy Street
    Līhuʻe, HI 96766

    Phone Number: (808) 241-4460

    Managed by: County of Kauaʻi – Department of Parks & Recreation

Past Summits:

See highlights and program from the 2025 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit

2025 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit
2025 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit
Three men sitting at a panel discussion, with one in the center speaking into microphones, the other two listening.