The first Hawaiʻi Immigration & Inclusion Conference (HIIC) brought the state’s immigrant inclusion movement into one room — advocates, policymakers, educators, employers, faith communities, and community members — hosted by the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
The Hawaiʻi Immigration and Inclusion Conference convened leaders, advocates, policymakers, educators, employers, and community members to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s commitment to immigrant inclusion, equity, and belonging. Through plenary conversations, workshops, and networking, participants explored policies, programs, and community-driven solutions that support immigrant families, workers, youth, and multilingual communities across the state.
“Belonging is more than having a seat at the table. It is knowing the table was built with you in mind, such that your language, culture, and experience have a place, and that you have a role in shaping what comes next. HIIC was created as a room for everyone working toward that belonging. None of us has the entire map. We are here to put it on the table and draw it together.”
Dr. Constancio Carvajal Paranal IIICo-Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights
Co-founder & Executive Director, 22nd Century Initiative
Co-founder and Executive Director of the 22nd Century Initiative, a national action and strategy hub building a resilient field of pro-democracy practice — on a 47+ year history of social and economic justice advocacy.
Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
Represents Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives; a member of the Hawaiʻi State Senate from 2007 to 2018.
Sen. Mazie Hirono
Sen. Brian SchatzDr. Constancio Carvajal Paranal III
Two rounds of breakouts ran across the Keoni Auditorium, the Asia Room, and the Pacific Room — open each session for its full description and the people who led it.
Beyond Know Your Rights: Building Community Safety and Legal Protection in Hawaiʻi
Legal protections are strongest when they are understood, implemented consistently, and reinforced through trusted community partnerships. This interactive session explores how Hawaiʻi's 2026 immigrant justice laws can be translated into meaningful protections, emphasizing practical problem-solving and shared responsibility for creating safe communities. A cross-sector panel will discuss recent legal developments, implementation efforts, and strategies for supporting immigrants. Participants will then work through scenarios in facilitated small groups to examine legal rights, partner responsibilities, and practical responses that promote safety, due process, and trust. The session will conclude with shared insights and concrete steps participants can take to strengthen legal protections and safety within their organizations and communities.
Hawaiʻi Imin International Conference Center at Jefferson Hall
East-West Center · Honolulu, HawaiʻiHIIC 2026 drew 200 attendees from more than 70 organizations — nonprofits and legal services, state and county government, the Legislature and Congress, consulates, schools and universities, healthcare, labor, faith communities, philanthropy, and the press.
HIIC 2026 was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors.
National Partnership for New Americans
JACL Honolulu
Ethnic Education Hawaiʻi
Center for Philippine Studies
Unbound Philanthropy
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Visionary Views LLC
Solutions PacificThe conference was shaped and guided by its steering committee organizations.
See you in 2027.
The Hawaiʻi Immigration & Inclusion Conference returns. September 22, 2027 · West Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.
Visit thehiic.org
