2026 Policy Forum

The 2023 Lahaina wildfire desastated one of Hawaiʻi’s most historic communities. The island's remote location and rugged geography only intesnsifiedthe immense challenges that arise during any rebuilding process. To examine the hard-won lessons of the ongoing restoration, Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green will host WGA's 2026 Policy Forum in Maui on April 20 and 21.   

The two-day forum will feature a conversation between Governor Green and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Regional experts and policymakers will also participate in panel discussions about trauma-informed approaches to disaster recovery, the future of disaster management and recovery, disaster recovery in rural communities, and much more.            

View the full agenda here.  

The 2024 Annual Policy Forum

The 2024 Annual Policy Forum was chock-full of in-depth policy discussions about everything from digital equity and workforce development to extreme heat and wildfire mitigation. 

Especially noteworthy were the ‘”fireside chats” between Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and Dr. Homer Wilkes, the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).