Imi Wai Ola

We care for what we love.

Changing the course of at-risk youth.

Annual Student Science Conference

May 15, 2026

9th Annual Conference

NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center
Seeking the Waters of Life

Students from across Hawaiʻi come together to explore and address the environmental challenges shaping their communities. Guided by aloha ʻāina and kuleana, these young scientists are building deep connections to place.

Seven Generations Ahead

In the spirit of our kūpuna who taught us to “plan seven generations ahead,” this conference nurtures the next generation of caretakers and innovators for Hawaiʻi’s future.

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May 15, 2026 Schedule

Follow Along Here

2026 ʻImi Wai Ola Schedule

Group A - Blue Group B - Yellow Group C - Red Group D - Green

Scroll sideways on smaller screens to view the full schedule.

Time Group A Group B Group C Group D
8:00 Buses pick up students from WCC, KCC, LCC, and Starbucks Salt Lake Blvd
8:45 - 9:15 Arrival, Registration, and Posters Setup Front Atrium
9:15 - 9:45 Welcome and Keynote: Barry Choy, Barry is a veteran NOAA Corps officer and hurricane hunter pilot with over 30 years of federal service. He served as aircraft commander on P-3 Orion flights into major storms including Hurricanes Ophelia, Bill, and Barry, holding senior roles like Chief of Flight Operations at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center and Chief Science Officer at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. A University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa meteorology graduate, he later acted as NOAA Liaison to U.S. Pacific Command, advising on climate-related security threats. Post-retirement, he works as a licensed vessel captain in Hawaii, blending marine and atmospheric expertise Auditorium
9:55 - 10:40 Plenary Auditorium Tour Meet at Sphere Breakout 1 Room 1377 Breakout 2 Room 1564
10:45 - 11:30 Breakout 3 Room 1651 Breakout 4 Room 1564 Tour Meet at Sphere Plenary Auditorium
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch for All - Box Lunch at Outdoor Courtyard
12:00 - 12:30 Visiting Posters Presenting Posters Visiting Posters Presenting Posters
12:30 - 1:00 Presenting Posters Visiting Posters Presenting Posters Visiting Posters
1:10 - 1:55 Tour Meet at Sphere Plenary Auditorium Breakout 5 Room 1564 Breakout 6 Room 1651
2:00 - 2:45 Breakout 7 Room 1564 Breakout 8 Room 1651 Plenary Auditorium Tour Meet at Sphere
3:00 - 3:30 Closing and Exciting Upcoming Opportunities Auditorium
3:45 Bus departures back to WCC, KCC, LCC, and Starbucks Salt Lake Blvd
Files and Resources

Everything You Need

Getting Ready for the 2026 Conference

Project Presentation Application

Breakout Session Facilitator

Media Release

Download 24×36 Poster Template

Download 36×48 Poster Template

Photos

2025 Photos

Add Your Photos

2026 Sessions

2026 Plenary Sessions

2026 Poster Sessions 1

2026 Poster Sessions 2

2026 Breakout Sessions

Give us your feedback! We’re listening!

Survey for Advisors

Survey for Breakout Facilitators

Survey for Students

Suggested Questions

For Presenters/Posters

  • How does your research relate to a conservation issues in general or to conservation issues in Hawaii?

  • Does your research relate to natural resource protection in Hawaii or the world? If so, how?

  • What subjects or specific lessons did you learn in school that helped you with this project?

  • If you were to continue this project, what would you like to do next?

  • Has your research influenced where you want to go to college (or graduate school), and what you might want to study in college?

  • Do you think that your research would help government officials, legislators, or other scientists to develop new laws or regulations?

  • Did you help design any new technologies (or use cutting-edge technologies) to complete your project?

  • How does your research relate to the global community of scientists (in other words, are there other people or places where a similar question is being asked or applies)?

  • How does your research relate to the global community of scientists (in other words, are there other people or places where a similar question is being asked or applies)?

  • How does your research relate to the global community of scientists (in other words, are there other people or places where a similar question is being asked or applies)?

For Breakout Sessions

  • How does your work/research relate to conservation issues in general or to conservation issues in Hawaii?

  • Does your work/research relate to natural resource protection in Hawaii or the world? If so, how?

  • What subjects or specific lessons did you learn in school that helped you the most to become a scientist?

  • If you could go back to school, are there any subjects that you would take that you did not take, that would be beneficial to your career?

  • How does your work/research relate to the global community of scientists (in other words, are there other people or places where a similar question is being asked applies)?

  • If you were king or queen of the world for a day, how would you use your work/research to help solve a global problem or issue?

  • Can you describe a typical day at work? Do you spend lots of time outside? In front of a computer? Teaching? Working with government officials? Travel?

  • What did you want to be when you were growing up? And did that change as you got older?

  • Did you have any mentors that helped you become a scientist? If so, please tell me about them or a really good memory you have of them.

  • Do you have to collaborate with people in other fields? If so, what do they do?

  • Did you have to go to college to get your job? If so, what degree (or degrees) did you earn to be able to do your job?