Independent Native Hawaiian government to elevate Maui voices at UNPFII 2026 through formal interventions and Lāhainā Rising screening

NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 — The Nation of Hawaiʻi (NOH) is set to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 2026 this week, hosting for the first time a Maui delegation and advancing international dialogue on the impacts of the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires and the broader issue of Native Hawaiian sovereignty.

The Nation of Hawaiʻi will attend as an Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) and will continue its long-standing international engagement as an independent Native Hawaiian government, advancing Indigenous governance, diplomacy, and self-determination within United Nations processes.

The Maui delegation, representing communities directly impacted by the Lāhainā fires, will include Native Hawaiian leaders, cultural practitioners, and residents who will share firsthand accounts of the disaster, ongoing recovery efforts, and the challenges facing their community.

Nation of Hawaiʻi to Deliver Interventions at UNPFII

During the 2026 session, the Nation of Hawaiʻi will deliver a series of formal interventions addressing wildfire recovery, Indigenous rights, and Hawaiʻi’s status within international frameworks.

In prepared remarks, John Kealoha Garcia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, states:

“The fires in Lāhainā, recent Kona Low weather events, and ongoing environmental and climate pressures continue to expose the limitations of existing systems to protect our people, our lands, and our water resources.”

The interventions will emphasize that these events are not isolated, but reflect long-term disruptions to Indigenous governance systems, and will call for formal pathways within the United Nations to engage directly with Indigenous governing bodies such as the Nation of Hawaiʻi.

Private Screening of Lāhainā Rising

As part of its UNPFII engagement, the Nation of Hawaiʻi will convene a private screening of Lāhainā Rising, a documentary highlighting the 2023 Maui wildfires and their aftermath.

The screening is scheduled to take place in New York City on Friday, April 24, 2026, in proximity to United Nations headquarters, and will bring together invited Indigenous leaders, partners, and participants of the UNPFII session.

The gathering will create space to listen, bear witness, and engage in direct dialogue with those impacted by the Lāhainā fires, centering Native Hawaiian voices and lived experience.

The event will include participation from members of the Maui delegation and filmmakers, followed by a discussion focused on recovery, cultural continuity, and Indigenous-led approaches to rebuilding.

The screening is intended to serve as a strategic convening to connect the lived experience of Lāhainā with global Indigenous dialogue on climate resilience, governance, and cultural preservation. Learn more about the film here: lahainarising.com

Lāhainā: Historical Significance and Present-Day Impact

The August 2023 wildfires caused widespread destruction across Lāhainā, displacing residents and significantly impacting cultural, economic, and environmental systems.

Lāhainā holds deep historical significance as a former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a central seat of governance in the early 19th century. Once an abundant and thriving center of political, cultural, and economic life, it remains a place of enduring importance to the Native Hawaiian people.

President Puʻuhonua D.K.B. Kanahele states:

“Lāhainā was once an abundant and vital center of the Hawaiian Kingdom, serving as a seat of government and a place of leadership for our people. What occurred there is not only a tragedy, but a reflection of how far we have been removed from our own systems of governance and stewardship. By bringing this delegation to the United Nations, we are ensuring that the voices of our people are heard directly, and that the world understands both the significance of Lāhainā and the responsibility we carry to restore and protect our nation moving forward.”

The Nation of Hawaiʻi continues to emphasize that the Lāhainā fires must be understood within a broader systemic context, including the long-term disruption of Indigenous governance systems and land stewardship practices.

Legal Foundation and International Engagement

The Nation of Hawaiʻi grounds its international engagement in recognized legal frameworks, including U.S. Public Law 103-150, which acknowledges the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and affirms that Native Hawaiian sovereignty was never extinguished.

Based on this foundation, the Nation maintains that Hawaiʻi remains an unresolved case of de-occupation and will continue to pursue expanded pathways for engagement within the United Nations system, including direct dialogue with Special Rapporteurs and inclusion in formal reporting mechanisms.

The Nation of Hawaiʻi maintains a consistent presence within United Nations forums and global Indigenous networks. President Puʻuhonua D.K.B. Kanahele has longstanding involvement in international Indigenous advocacy, including engagement with the International Indian Treaty Council, supporting the Nation’s participation in global diplomacy and Indigenous rights efforts.

Through these efforts, the Nation advances its broader mission to strengthen Native Hawaiian self-determination, restore Indigenous systems of governance and stewardship, and build international relationships with Indigenous nations.

About the Nation of Hawaiʻi

The Nation of Hawaiʻi is an independent Native Hawaiian government, established in 1995, grounded in the continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the inherent rights of the Native Hawaiian people. The Nation advances initiatives in land stewardship, economic development, cultural restoration, and international diplomacy, while maintaining ongoing engagement with global Indigenous organizations and United Nations processes.

Media Contact

Nation of Hawaiʻi — Office of Foreign Affairs

Email: foreignaffairs@nohgov.com

Website: www.nohgov.com

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