Scholarships help Maui farmers attend HFU Annual Convention returning to Oʻahu

The Hawai’i Farmers Union (HFU) State Convention returns Oct. 16–18, 2026, bringing farmers, fishers, ranchers, and community members together at the Waimānalo CARES Center (formerly known as the Waimānalo Research Station) for a celebration of agricultural resilience and community. Saturday’s Public Convention is open to the entire community, HFU members and non-members alike.

This year’s theme, “Mahiʻai Makahiki,” honors the hardworking farmers, fishers, ranchers, and community members who form the foundation of Hawai’i’s food systems, marking the season of harvest and the resilience of the local agricultural community.

The convention kicks off Friday, Oct. 16 (3 to 5 p.m.) with an ‘Āina Workday at Nation of Hawai’i. The main event, a Public Convention open to everyone in the community, follows Saturday, Oct. 17 (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) at the Waimānalo CARES Center, no HFU membership required to attend. The weekend concludes Sunday, Oct. 18 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) with HFU’s Annual Policy Meeting, open to HFU members only.

“This is the first year since 2017 that the convention has been on Oʻahu and it is really exciting to be able to showcase the work that the Hawaii Farmers Union is doing while bringing our farming community together from across the state.” Said Christian Zuckerman, Vice President of the Hawai’i Farmers Union. “Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or you’ve never grown anything in your life, we want you at the Waimānalo CARES Center on Oct. 17 to learn, to celebrate our farmers, and to meet the people who are working everyday to grow Hawai’i’s local food systems”

Featured speakers include Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, who will bring a national perspective on the issues facing farmers and agricultural communities, and US House Representative Jill Tokuda, who will share insights on the policies and priorities shaping Hawaiʻi agriculture and local food systems.

Highlights of this year’s program include:

• Makahiki Games: Traditional Hawaiian games and friendly competition celebrating the season of Lono.
• Farmers in Policy & Practice: Timely conversations on disaster and agricultural policy, state and federal advocacy, agricultural land conservation, values-based procurement, food safety, and expanding markets for Hawaiʻi-grown food including practical training on how to read legislation and write effective testimony.
• ʻĀina, Food & Community: Sessions exploring loko iʻa, traditional food systems, ranching and fisheries, Food is Medicine, and programs connecting Hawaiʻi producers and fishers with their communities.
• Hands-On Agriculture: Interactive learning in soil health, biochar production, cacao and chocolate making, and other practical skills farmers can take home to their operations.
• Community Booths: Local organizations and businesses showcasing services, resources, and educational opportunities.

HFU extends mahalo to the sponsors and partners whose generous support is helping make this year’s convention possible, with major support from the Stupski Foundation, Healy Foundation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Kamehameha Schools, Matson and others. Additional support comes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Ulupono Initiative, Farm Lovers Farmers Markets, Slow Money Hawaiʻi, and CCOF Foundation. HFU also thanks the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB) for its grant support and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) for its partnership in bringing this year’s convention to the community.

Tickets are available now on HFU website, with Last Call pricing available through October 15: $5 for HFU members and $15 for general admission. Tickets at the door will be $10 for HFU members and $20 for general admission, with keiki under 12 free.

HFU is accepting applications for its Mahiʻai and Youth Scholarship, which provides a limited number of awards to new and beginning farmers, ranchers, fishers, and youth in āina-based programs from neighboring islands to attend the convention. Those interested in volunteering or hosting a community booth can apply through the convention website.

Tickets, volunteer registration, and community booth and scholarship applications are available at hawaiifarmers.org/annual-convention. For questions, contact events@hfuu.org.