By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
It was all good vibes and shaka signs on the morning October 7, as over 1,300 Native Hawaiians arrived at the Orca Ballroom of the Tulalip Resort Casino. And everywhere you turned, you were offered a big smile and an aloha greeting. All throughout the ballroom corridors, a variety of vibrant Hawaiian flowers served as décor, including many anthurium and yellow hibiscus plants.
For the first time in its long-running history, the annual Native Hawaiian Convention was held on Indigenous lands outside of the Hawaiian Islands, marking the 2025 convention a historic moment as Hawaiians made the trip to the Tulalip reservation from over 37 states.
Ever since last year’s Season of Healing, when the Tulalip Youth Council collaborated with the Hawaiian nonprofit group, Papahana Aloha ʻĀina, on an Indigenous Peoples Day declaration, the connection between the Tribe and the people of Hawaii has grown significantly. However, there was an existing connection prior to this between the two communities, as several Tulalip members have family ties to Hawaii. And back in 2019, Tulalip hosted a rally in protest of the desecration of Muana Kea, a sacred mountain on the Big Island.
In the weeks leading up to the 2025 Native Hawaiian Convention, the Tulalip Board of Directors and the Hawaiian Council were in constant conversation, strengthening that relationship while planning for a good three-day gathering. Days prior to the event, the Hawaiian Council, along with their local media team and convention attendees, boarded a charted flight from Hawaii to Seattle that was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with in-flight dances and songs along the way.
Upon arriving at the reservation, there was an entire ‘pre-convention’ day dedicated to formal introductions and cultural sharing between the Tulalip BOD and the Hawaiian Council. There was also a full day of workshops held at the Tulalip Resort Casino, including sessions dedicated to learning chants and creating leis.
This all led to a moving opening day ceremony on the morning of October 7. Rows upon rows of chairs were filled with hundreds of Native Hawaiians as the convention officially kicked off with a special screening of a film that connected Hawaiians all across the country. The video was filmed in several different cities, and the song ‘Ōiwi Ē was performed by the local Hawaiians living in those regions.
Said Kūhiō Lewis, Hawaiian Council Chief Executive Officer, “‘Ōiwi Ē is a powerful anthem that celebrates our identity, our pride, and our resilience as Native Hawaiians. ‘Ōiwi Ē means native, or of this land. And the song calls out to all carrying Hawaiian ancestry, wherever they may live, to stand proud wherever they are. When we sing ‘Ōiwi Ē, we remind ourselves that being Hawaiian is more than a bloodline or birthplace, it’s a deep connection to ‘āina, to our kupuna, and to one another.”
Following Kūhiō’s opening remarks, he then invited Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin onto the stage, who offered some words of welcome before calling upon the Tulalip drummers and singers. The Tribe opened with Harriette Shelton-Dover’s Welcome Song and after a standing ovation from the crowd, Teri handed the mic over to Thomas and Andy Williams who are of Hawaiian descent. After Thomas explained his family’s lineage and relation to the Hawaiian people, the Tribe offered a blessing song led by the Williams brothers and fellow Tulalip-Hawaiian member, Jay Napeahi.
Teri shared, “It’s such an honor to have the drummers and singers here today. When we sing, it calls our ancestors in. This is just amazing. I love your culture, and I love our culture. Our people are connected across vast oceans by the enduring strength of our ancestors, the wisdom of our elders, and the hopes we carry on for future generations. Though our homelands are far apart, we share a common bond; the sacred responsibility to care for the lands, the waters and our people, to protect our culture, preserve our sovereignty and to build a future of strength and resilience for our children and our grandchildren.”
“We know that many Hawaiians make their home here on the mainland”, she continued. “Please know that you are always welcome here. Our doors and our hearts are open to you, and we look forward to finding ways to support your community, share knowledge and grow together. May these days be filled with learning, reflection and celebration as First Nations people. It’s not about where we live, it’s about how we uplift one another.”
Each day of the convention will feature three breakout sessions that offer one to two-hour workshops, panels, and demonstrations. The sessions will not only take place in the various TRC ballrooms, but also at the Marysville Opera House for art and culture workshops and displays; the Tulalip Dining Hall for tourism and environmental stewardship lectures; the Teen Center for education and economic development and youth-focused discussions and collaborations; and the Gathering Hall for self-determination and policy workshops.
There are a handful of vendors selling beaded jewelry, cedar woven regalia, clothing, books, and a selection of Hawaiian foods in the hallway by the Orca Ballroom. And there is also a live lei making demonstration taking place near the TRC gift shop. The convention will be held until October 9, and will end with a closing ceremony that begins at 10 a.m.
Kūhiō expressed, “This moment is a testament to what true Indigenous partnerships look like, Native to Native, nation to nation, grounded in respect, reciprocity, and shared purpose. To Chairwoman Teri Gobin, the Tulalip Board of Directors, and the entire community, Mahalo nui loa for welcoming us with such open arms and open hearts. It’s our way of saying to the world, we are still here, vibrant, creative, and united. Carrying forth the legacy of our ancestor’s pride and purpose. This week is about that very idea, about lifting up each other, sharing knowledge, and renewing our collective strength. We came here to Tulalip as guests, but we stand here as kin. Our oceans don’t divide us, they connect us.”