Summer of Democracy · 2026
Season report.
Five virtual sessions — June 24 to August 26, 2026 — that equipped immigrant communities through Know Your Rights trainings, policy briefings, and coalition-strategy conversations. This page is the season’s report and archive.
All five, at a glance
Five sessions across nine weeks — tap any session for its record.
Know Your Rights — Labor & Economic Justice
Know Your Rights — Healthcare & Public Services
Know Your Rights — Safety, Schools & Families
Immigration Policy — What Changed & What Matters Now
Narrative, Strategy & Building Power
Fall of Action
& Movement
01June 24Know Your Rights — Labor & Economic Justice
Part I
“Workplace Power and Protection”
- Hawaiʻi Workers Center
- Wage theft, retaliation, unsafe conditions
- Rights regardless of immigration status
- How to safely report and document abuse
Participants can identify violations and take action safely.
02July 8Know Your Rights — Healthcare & Public Services
Part I
“Access Without Fear”
- Oʻahu Rapid Response Coalition (ORRC)
- Social Medicine Hawaiʻi
- Right to interpreters and language services
- Access to care regardless of status
- Privacy protections — what can and can't be shared
Participants understand how to access services and advocate for others.
03July 30Know Your Rights — Safety, Schools & Families
Part I
“Protection Across Home, School, and Community”
- Trevor Davis
- Kateryna “Ilys” Rayberg
- Domestic violence protections for immigrant survivors
- Rights of immigrant students and families
- Safe spaces — schools, shelters, community organizations
Participants gain confidence navigating sensitive, high-risk situations.
04Aug 12Immigration Policy — What Changed & What Matters Now
Part II
“From Legislation to Lived Reality”
- Aparna Patrie, Esq. · Patrie Law Associates, LLLC
- Rico Ocampo · FIRM Action
- Key legislative updates post-session
- Federal vs. state and local dynamics
- What communities should actually pay attention to
Participants left with a clear, actionable understanding of this year’s policy landscape.
05Aug 26Narrative, Strategy & Building Power
Part II
“Winning Beyond the Policy Fight”
- John Miyasato, Center on Civic Engagement
- Lisa Gibson and the Indivisible Hawaiʻi team
- Messaging that resonates — especially locally
- Using data and storytelling effectively
- Coalition strategy and alignment
Partners left with tools to influence public opinion and policy.
Mahalo — and onward.
Eight organizations, one summer
Every session was co-led with partners across the coalition — mahalo nui loa.
The work rolls into fall
FOAM — Fall of Action & Movement — picks up September 23 to November 25, building toward the 2027 legislative agenda. And SODA returns in summer 2027.
Informed. Prepared. Connected. Empowered.
Mahalo to the more than 100 of you who showed up this summer. SODA returns in 2027.