Association of Pacific Coast Geographers

October 22–24, 2026

Mohalu, Hua, Akua moonphases

Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi Community College & University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

We recognize that the 2026 Association of Pacific Coast Geographers Annual Meeting is being held at Hawai‘i Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and with profound reflection offer this Hō‘oia ‘Āina, Land Acknowledgement. Hawai‘i is an Indigenous space whose original people are today identified as Native Hawaiians or Kānaka ʻŌ iwi.

We recognize that her majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom under duress and in protest to the United States. We further recognize how generations of Native Hawaiians and Hawaiian knowledge systems continue to emphasize Hawaiʻi as a model of sustainability. We remain committed to promoting equity for Native Hawaiians and other marginalized groups.

The values of our kauhale or academic village align with the University of Hawai‘i System’s commitment to fostering the wellbeing of Indigenous communities through academic processes put into effect with the ten-campus, system-wide transformation called Hawai‘i Papa O Ke Ao.

With much aloha, the kauhale of Hawai‘i Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo welcomes you to the mokupuni (island) of Hawai‘i, in the moku (district) of Hilo, in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Waiākea. This land acknowledgement welcomes everyone who gathers here.

We are in Hawai‘i. ‘Ano‘ai.

E mālama i ka ʻāina.
Take care of the land.

Schedule Highlights

Thursday,

Mohalu moon:

Kīpaepae Welina (Welcoming Ceremony)

Hawaiʻi Keynote

Huakaʻi (Excursions)

Friday,

Hua moon:

Paper Sessions

Hawaiʻi Special Session

Graduate Student Luncheon

Hawaiʻi Keynote

Saturday,

Akua moon:

Paper Sessions

Poster Session

Womenʻs Network Luncheon

APCG Keynote

Awards Banquet & Presidential Address

Join us for the 88th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers (APCG)!

The 2026 APCG Annual Meeting will be held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, hosted by Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, October 22–24, 2026, during the increasingly fuller, brighter moon phases of Mohalu, Hua and Akua. This year’s conference invites geographers to gather in a place shaped by dynamic volcanic landscapes, Indigenous knowledge systems, and deeply rooted relationships between land and community. Together, we will share research, build connections, and explore new perspectives on geography across the Pacific region and beyond. APCG has long been known as a welcoming and supportive conference environment. We especially encourage students and early-career geographers to participate, present their work, and engage with the broader geography community.

In addition to paper and poster sessions, the conference will feature:

A Kīpaepae Welina (welcoming ceremony)
Hawaiʻi keynote speakers with messages about aloha ʻāina (love of land)
Huakaʻi (field experiences/excursions)
Place-based learning opportunities
Time to explore Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island

We look forward to welcoming you to Hilo for a meaningful gathering of geographic scholarship, collaboration, and community!

Conference Keynote Speakers

Thursday, Mohalu Moon

Hawaiʻi Keynote Speaker

Kakahiaka (Morning)

9:30-10:15am

Nohea Kaʻawa

Nohea Kaʻawa is not only from the moku (district) of Kaʻū, but identifies as Kaʻū. She is a relentless advocate for her rural, volcanic and powerful land and surrounding waters of the southernmost region of Hawaiʻi island. In her role as kumu who experientially engages learners and community members with Kaʻū , and through her work with The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and other organizations and agencies, she reminds us of the mana, or spiritual power, of the environment.

See a short biography for Nohea under Keynote Speakers.

Friday, Hua Moon Hawaiʻi Keynote Speaker

Ahiahi (Evening)

5:30-6:30pm

Kuʻulei Keakealani

Kuʻulei Keakealani is a beloved and renowned aloha ʻāina champion, storyteller and educator, born and raised in the uplands of Kona Hema (North Kona), and now residing in Waimea, whose life has also been informed by paniolo traditions passed on from her father. She has generously shared her intimate knowledge of place with our communities, including through the elevation of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language), and positively transformed our lives in the process.

See a short biography for Kuʻulei under Keynote Speakers.

Saturday, Akua Moon

APCG Keynote Speaker

Awakea (Midday)

1:30-2:30pm

The Venue

Hawaiʻi Community College

1175 Manono St, Hilo, HI 96720

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

200 W Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720

Hilo & October

Hilo

Hilo is located on the windward, eastern side of Hawaiʻi Island, on the slopes of the active volcano Maunaloa, adjacent Mauna a Wākea, or Maunakea. The Wailuku River, largest in all of the islands, partly forms the geologic boundary between the two volcanoes, and empties out in Hilo Bay, the most extensive bay on the island.

Hilo is the most populous community on Hawaiʻi Island, with nearly 50,000 residents, and has much cultural, ethnic and socio-economic diversity. The community has a long history that is intertwined with famous legends, mythic beings, chiefs and monarchs, as well as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunami. The name Hilo references the very first phase of the moon, a well-known braid for lei or cordage, as well as a Polynesian navigator. Hilo continues to function as a center for innovation as it proudly preserves Hawaiian cultural and language traditions.

October

October is one of the rainiest months of the year in most areas the Hawaiian Islands, and is usually associated with the Hawaiʻi lunar month of ʻIkuwā (alternatively ʻIkuā), a month of environmental sounds - that of surf, rain, wind, occasional thunder. In Hilo, rain is celebrated in the recognition that water is life, and outdoor activities go on amidst the showers. In fact, Hilo is the locality with the most named rains - more than 50 different ones! - in all of the Hawaiian islands.

October / ʻIkuwā represents a transitional period between Kauwela, the summer season, and Hoʻoilo, the winter season. ʻIkuwā is sometimes seen as the beginning of the Hawaiian calendar. This time of year heralds the approach of Makahiki, a cultural-spiritual-political season that celebrates the elemental entity Lono, agricultural abundance, peaceful relations, games and much more.

The Local APCG Planning Team

Hawaiʻi Community College

Kaylyn Ells-Hoʻokano, Lecturer, Geography & Environment

Drew Kapp, Assistant Professor, Geography & Environment, and Department Chair, Social Science

Renee Pualani Louis, Lecturer, Geography & Environment

Pamela Scheffler, Professor, Natural Science

Orlo Steele, Associate Professor and Department Co-Chair, Natural Science

Noʻel Tagab-Cruz, Associate Professor, Hawaiian Studies, and Director, I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Kathryn Besio, Professor, Geography & Environmental Sciences

Lisa Canale, Instructor and Graduate Advisor, Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science

Kalani Carlson, Instructor, Geography & Environmental Sciences

Chris Knudson, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Geography & Environmental Sciences

Ryan Perroy, Professor, Geography & Environmental Sciences

Jonathan Price, Professor, Geography & Environmental Sciences

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