Joint Summer Meeting- Hilo Hi

Join us for the joint summer meeting in Hilo, Hawaii. agInnovation-West, WEDA, W-APS, AHS & CARET members all welcome. June 22-25, 2026. 

HOTEL INFORMATION- 

Grand Naniloa Hotel (DoubleTree)- $199/night - SOLD OUT

AIRPORTS- 

HILO (ITO)- RECOMMENDED.  We recommend flying into Hilo. The hotel is about a ten minute drive. UBER/Taxis are available. 

Kona (KON)- Kona is on the West side of the island and a ~2 hour drive. You will need a rental car if you choose to fly into Kona. 

AgInnovation Western Region Joint Summer Meeting 2026 – DRAFT AGENDA

Theme: Collaborative Innovation to strengthen agriculture, communities, and ecosystems

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026

5:00 – 7:00 PM: Welcome Reception (At Grand Naniloa)

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026

8:00 –9:15 AM: Opening Remarks & Strategic Framing

9:15 – 11:00 AM: Session 1: Strengthening food self-sufficiency in Hawaii

11:00- 12:15 PM: LUNCH

12:15 – 1:30 PM: Session 2: Floriculture focus

1:30-1:45 PM: BREAK

1:45-2:45 PM: Session 3: Hawaii-grown Specialty Crops: Coffee, Mac Nut, Cacao and Tropical Fruits

2:45-3:45 PM Award ceremony

3:45 – 4:45 PM: Happy hour with live music

4:45 – 6:00 PM: Award Celebration Dinner

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
Transportation Provided | All Day Field Excursions

8:00 AM: Depart from Grand Naniloa Hotel. Multiple stops and lunch included

4:30 - 6:00 PM Luau

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
8:00-9:15 AM: The ahupuaʻa (mountain to sea) model of sustainability – CTAHR’s Research to support healthy ecosystem, diverse agricultural systems, and resilient families and communities.

9:15-10:15 AM: Succession planning and Workforce Development

10:15-:10:30 AM: Break

10:30- 12:30 PM: Session 4: TBD

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 – 3:00: Alliance for Western Excellence – discuss Collective Actions and regional path forward

3:00- 5:00 PM: Association Business Meetings

agInnovation-West, WEDA, W-APS, W-AHS/W-CARET

[Dinner on your own; agInnovation-West group dinner, WEDA group dinner]

Agenda will continue to be updated. Some Session may change.