World Wetlands Day 2026 aims to celebrate the vital role of wetlands and native birds, fostering respect for natural and cultural resources and ensuring mutual enrichment between tourism and communities.
This event will feature informative booths from local wetland organizations, encouraging volunteerism among residents and tourists in spaces like loʻi and wildlife refuges to enhance local quality of life and create lasting visitor memories. A speaker series will blend Western science with Hawaiian traditional knowledge and practices to deepen understanding of Hawaiʻi's heritage, while guided tours and hands-on activities at Keawāwa Wetland will empower active participation in conservation efforts, ensuring the preservation of Hawaiʻi’s wetlands and native species.
This event is free and open to the public.
World Wetlands Day is recognized globally through the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. While the official 2026 theme is "Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage," we will also be highlighting how wetlands support our native waterbirds.
Many thanks to Kilohana by CNHA and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for the award money allowing us to host this event!
See our save the date flyer here.
