KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI‘I — Early bird registration is now officially open for the 2026 ‘Ulu Ho‘olaule‘a and Global Breadfruit Summit, a landmark international gathering taking place September 19–24, 2026, in the historic Kaluʻulu breadfruit belt of South Kona on Hawai‘i Island.
Bringing together farmers, researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, chefs, educators, community leaders, and innovators from across the Pacific and beyond, the week-long event will celebrate breadfruit (‘ulu) as both an ancestral staple food and a globally significant climate-resilient crop with transformative potential for the future of food systems.
Building on the momentum of seven previous international breadfruit summits, most recently held in Tonga in 2024, the 2026 gathering aims to strengthen relationships across islands and disciplines while uplifting practical solutions rooted in cultural knowledge, ecological stewardship, and regenerative agriculture.
The event is being collaboratively organized by Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative, Pacific Farmers Organisations (PIFON), Indigenous Cropping Systems Laboratory, CTAHR, Ulupono Initiative, The Healy Foundation, and Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
A Week of ‘Ulu
The 2026 ‘Ulu Ho‘olaule‘a will feature multiple interconnected events throughout Kona:
ʻUlu Festival | Saturday, September 19 | Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
A vibrant public celebration highlighting the cultural significance, culinary versatility, and community importance of breadfruit through demonstrations, food, music, education, and local vendors.
ʻAha ʻUlu | Sunday–Monday, September 20–21 | Kahalu‘u Ma Kai
A gathering rooted in cultural protocol, storytelling, and Indigenous knowledge exchange among practitioners and cultural leaders from across Oceania.
Global Breadfruit Summit | Tuesday–Thursday, September 22–24 | Outrigger Kona Resort
An international convening focused on research, agroforestry, propagation, food innovation, farmer education, climate adaptation, and community-driven solutions centered around breadfruit.
Edible Showcase | Wednesday, September 23 | Outrigger Kona Resort
A culinary celebration featuring innovative ʻulu-centered dishes from chefs, producers, and food innovators across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
Global Interest, Wide-Ranging Topics
The 2026 Global Breadfruit Summit is already attracting an extraordinary diversity of presenters and session proposals from across the Pacific region and around the world, demonstrating the rapidly growing interest in breadfruit as a cornerstone crop for resilient futures.
Presentation topics will span the full ecosystem of breadfruit revival and innovation, from practical farmer tools, agroforestry techniques, and propagation science, to cultivar preservation, soil health research, and climate-resilient agriculture. Sessions will also explore Indigenous food systems, cultural restoration, community-led revitalization projects, school and youth food sovereignty initiatives, and emerging opportunities in value-added manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and ʻulu-based product development. Together, the program reflects the growing global movement to position breadfruit as both a culturally significant ancestral crop and a powerful solution for resilient food futures.
The summit will include presentations, workshops, posters, panel discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on learning opportunities designed to appeal to researchers, farmers, educators, policymakers, food entrepreneurs, chefs, and passionate ʻulu enthusiasts alike.
“This gathering represents far more than a conference,” organizers shared. “It is an opportunity to strengthen a living global network of people working to restore ancestral food systems, support local economies, and cultivate resilient futures rooted in reciprocity with land and community.”
Call for Submissions Still Open
Organizers are continuing to welcome proposals for presentations, workshops, demonstrations, posters, and other session formats through June 30, 2026. Link to the submission application form for presentations, workshops, posters or other engagements can be found [here].
Contributions are encouraged from farmers, researchers, cultural practitioners, nonprofit leaders, educators, chefs, students, and innovators whose work intersects with breadfruit, agroforestry, Indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, food sovereignty, and community-based solutions.