Our eleventh biennial conference will be October 23rd, 2026!
2026 Conference Theme:
Regenerative Landscaping – Feeding the Future
A ONE DAY EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR LANDSCAPE AND TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS.
One track of educational sessions in ornamental plant care and management. The program features experts from Hawaii’s Green Industry and affiliated agencies/ organizations.
- PLENARY– Kupu ku Niu, Kupu ke Kanaka: When Coconuts Grow, Humanity Flourishes – Indrajit Gunasekara, Director, Hawaii Community Coconut Project, Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program; Co-founder, Niu Now.
- Beyond Landscaping: Building Ecological Infrastructure – Micah Barker, Founder, Bioscape Hawaii.
- Malama Wai, Malama Aina: Water Conservation for Healthier Hawaiian Landscapes – Oliver Black, Water Conservation Manager, Kukio Golf & Beach Club; Keoni Aviguetero, CEO, Irrigation Solutions & Landscape.
- Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: Big Island Update – Big IslandInvasive Species Committee.
- Regenerative Farming in the Resort Setting – Kevin Jewell, Farm Manager, Kuki’o Golf & Beach Club.
- TreeCycling Ohia for Lumber, Posts & Poles – Jeff Anderson, Founder, Hawaiian Hardwoods.
• Recertification CEU’s available
• Trade Show— Landscape industry suppliers and non-profit agencies exhibit their latest products and services
For more information,
contact Ty McDonald, tym@hawaii.edu or (808) 322-4892.
Since HILA’s inception of holding conferences since 2010, HILA, in conjunction with the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, has presented a conference and trade show in West Hawaii. This one-day educational event is the premier conference for all members of the Big Island green industry: landscape architects, designers, nursery growers, retailers, contractors, maintenance personnel, arborists, suppliers and educators. The Trade Show features the latest products and services offered by numerous landscape vendors in Hawaii. Speakers include local experts from the golf course, nursery and landscape industry, as well as the University of Hawaii. The conference provides an opportunity to earn valuable Continuing Education Units (CEU) for:
ISA Certified Arborists
Landscape Industry Certified Technicians
Certified Landscape Technicians