Imin International Conference Center
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

  February 13-15, 2020

Opening Ceremony: Thursday, February 13th, 4:30pm-6:00pm

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Abstract: Aloha ʻĀina is the rallying call to protect our special places and histories, and a methodology that requires pono science as a process. The concept of aloha ʻāina is used in Hawaiʻi to describe how our people love, care for, and build a relationship with all that feed and nurture us, such as land, ocean, people, and places. The love and respect that is achieved between humans and ʻāina when all is in balance is pono. The search for this just, ethical science process must be cultivated in our research proposals, our methodology, our classrooms, and in how we create our solutions when working in indigenous landscapes. This story will highlight the rigor that is expected and required when trying to use aloha ʻāina and pono science as a methodology to restore abundance. I invite you to join us as we create a pono future where our human and more-than-human relations thrive. 

• Conference Paper Presentations: Friday (8:30am-5:15 pm) & Saturday (8:30am-3:15 pm)
• Weaving Culture Workshop (Elug Patas): Friday (7:30-9:00 pm). Ipiq Maday will share Taiwanese Indigenous Truku weaving culture in this hands-on workshop. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
• Closing Plenary Panel (co-sponsored by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Taiwan): "Images Across Austronesia" featuring keynote speaker and award-winning filmmaker Sergio Rapu. Moderated by Vilsoni Hereniko. Saturday, 3:30-5:45

This student-led Conference provides opportunities for emerging academics to professionally network, gain experience, and present and get feedback on their work. Interactions with peers as well as scholars across disciplines will encourage collaborations and create lasting professional connections.

The theme of this year’s IGSC is Community Voices: Bridging Borders.  Recognizing the ethos of the East-West Center’s 60 years of work in the US, Asia, and the Pacific, IGSC-2020 celebrates the voices of communities and their perspectives in the ever-changing local and global spaces.  The conference encourages scholarly work on topics of concern to communities across the region, and it is particularly welcoming of the perspectives of indigenous and marginalized communities. 

The opening keynote, closing plenary and conference sessions are all free and open to the public. Receptions and meals are for conference registrants only.

Logistical Information (FAQs)

The IGSC Frequently Asked Questions page contains comprehensive information for attendees and presenters regarding the conference, including visitor information, conference logistics, and transportation options from the airport to the EWC.
 

Conference Venue and Accommodation

The conference will be held at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, at 1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, which adjoins the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus and the East-West Center residence halls. Refer to the Conference Center website for more information.

A limited number of rooms at the East-West Center residence halls have been reserved for registered conference participants. Special rates will be made available for conference participants but will be applicable only from February 12–17, 2019. (However, once you check out, the special rates will not be applicable if you check in again during the specified period). Make sure that you mention the International Graduate Student Conference when you reserve a room.

The rates per night for the conference participants are as follows:

Hale Manoa & Hale Kuahine
- Single room dorm - $19/night
- Double dorm room - $29/night

Lincoln Hall
- Studio room - $41/night
- Corner Studio room - $54/night
- 1 bedroom w/kitchen room - $65/night

Rent is due upon check in.

The single and double rooms (in Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine) are dormitory style with shared bathroom/toilet facilities while the studio (in Lincoln Hall) has its own bathroom/toilet facility. Sheets/blankets/pillows are provided in the dormitories, and all of those plus towels are also provided in Lincoln Hall. None of them has air conditioning. Shared kitchen facilities and coin-operated laundry machines are available in Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine.

Please refer to the EWC Housing website for details (including pictures of the rooms) and reservation procedure.

Participants are requested to get in touch with EWC Housing authorities directly for their accommodation reservation as well as questions thereto by email at: [email protected]. Please wait until you are notified about the results of abstract selection committee before making a reservation. Due to the busy holiday season, please allow up to a week for the EWC Housing Office to respond to inquires.

We look forward to welcoming you to the East-West Center. In preparation of your arrival, please visit our East-West Center Participant Information webpage where you can find useful tips for your stay here.

U.S. Visa Information

Non-US participants who need a B-1 visa to enter the United States are encouraged to start looking for information related to obtaining a US visa in your country. The following websites may be useful for you:

US Embassies 
- for embassy location, policies, and procedures for visa applications/issuance

Visa Appointments & Waiting Times
- for wait times for required visa appointments/issuance by consular post

Visa Waiver Program
- for countries participating in a visa waiver program with the United States

Please note that the EWC does not provide visa assistance. However, the abstract acceptance email for the conference serves as a valid document for you to initiate your visa process.

Past Conferences

For additional information, as well as photos, please refer to the web pages for past conferences, available in the right-hand menu.

Contact Information

The International Graduate Student Conference
c/o EWC Education Program
1601 East-West Road, Burns Hall 2089
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96848
USA
Ph. (808) 944-7458
Fax (808) 944-7070
Email:  [email protected]

Please click the icon below to access our online survey and share your thoughts on this year's IGSC:

Travel notice:

The East-West Center is committed to following travel guidelines set out by the CDC regarding the coronavirus.

  Imin International Conference Center
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

  February 13-15, 2020

Opening Ceremony: Thursday, February 13th, 4:30pm-6:00pm

---

Noelani Puniwai, Assistant Professor, Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, will deliver the conference keynote address

Title: Our Pono Future: Nurturing a place of abundance.

Abstract: Aloha ʻĀina is the rallying call to protect our special places and histories, and a methodology that requires pono science as a process. The concept of aloha ʻāina is used in Hawaiʻi to describe how our people love, care for, and build a relationship with all that feed and nurture us, such as land, ocean, people, and places. The love and respect that is achieved between humans and ʻāina when all is in balance is pono. The search for this just, ethical science process must be cultivated in our research proposals, our methodology, our classrooms, and in how we create our solutions when working in indigenous landscapes. This story will highlight the rigor that is expected and required when trying to use aloha ʻāina and pono science as a methodology to restore abundance. I invite you to join us as we create a pono future where our human and more-than-human relations thrive. 

• Conference Paper Presentations: Friday (8:30am-5:15 pm) & Saturday (8:30am-3:15 pm)
• Weaving Culture Workshop (Elug Patas): Friday (7:30-9:00 pm). Ipiq Maday will share Taiwanese Indigenous Truku weaving culture in this hands-on workshop. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
• Closing Plenary Panel (co-sponsored by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Taiwan): "Images Across Austronesia" featuring keynote speaker and award-winning filmmaker Sergio Rapu. Moderated by Vilsoni Hereniko. Saturday, 3:30-5:45

This student-led Conference provides opportunities for emerging academics to professionally network, gain experience, and present and get feedback on their work. Interactions with peers as well as scholars across disciplines will encourage collaborations and create lasting professional connections.

The theme of this year’s IGSC is Community Voices: Bridging Borders.  Recognizing the ethos of the East-West Center’s 60 years of work in the US, Asia, and the Pacific, IGSC-2020 celebrates the voices of communities and their perspectives in the ever-changing local and global spaces.  The conference encourages scholarly work on topics of concern to communities across the region, and it is particularly welcoming of the perspectives of indigenous and marginalized communities. 

The opening keynote, closing plenary and conference sessions are all free and open to the public. Receptions and meals are for conference registrants only.

Logistical Information (FAQs)

The IGSC Frequently Asked Questions page contains comprehensive information for attendees and presenters regarding the conference, including visitor information, conference logistics, and transportation options from the airport to the EWC.
 

Conference Venue and Accommodation

The conference will be held at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, at 1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, which adjoins the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus and the East-West Center residence halls. Refer to the Conference Center website for more information.

A limited number of rooms at the East-West Center residence halls have been reserved for registered conference participants. Special rates will be made available for conference participants but will be applicable only from February 12–17, 2019. (However, once you check out, the special rates will not be applicable if you check in again during the specified period). Make sure that you mention the International Graduate Student Conference when you reserve a room.

The rates per night for the conference participants are as follows:

Hale Manoa & Hale Kuahine
- Single room dorm - $19/night
- Double dorm room - $29/night

Lincoln Hall
- Studio room - $41/night
- Corner Studio room - $54/night
- 1 bedroom w/kitchen room - $65/night

Rent is due upon check in.

The single and double rooms (in Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine) are dormitory style with shared bathroom/toilet facilities while the studio (in Lincoln Hall) has its own bathroom/toilet facility. Sheets/blankets/pillows are provided in the dormitories, and all of those plus towels are also provided in Lincoln Hall. None of them has air conditioning. Shared kitchen facilities and coin-operated laundry machines are available in Hale Manoa and Hale Kuahine.

Please refer to the EWC Housing website for details (including pictures of the rooms) and reservation procedure.

Participants are requested to get in touch with EWC Housing authorities directly for their accommodation reservation as well as questions thereto by email at: [email protected]. Please wait until you are notified about the results of abstract selection committee before making a reservation. Due to the busy holiday season, please allow up to a week for the EWC Housing Office to respond to inquires.

We look forward to welcoming you to the East-West Center. In preparation of your arrival, please visit our East-West Center Participant Information webpage where you can find useful tips for your stay here.

U.S. Visa Information

Non-US participants who need a B-1 visa to enter the United States are encouraged to start looking for information related to obtaining a US visa in your country. The following websites may be useful for you:

US Embassies 
- for embassy location, policies, and procedures for visa applications/issuance

Visa Appointments & Waiting Times
- for wait times for required visa appointments/issuance by consular post

Visa Waiver Program
- for countries participating in a visa waiver program with the United States

Please note that the EWC does not provide visa assistance. However, the abstract acceptance email for the conference serves as a valid document for you to initiate your visa process.

Past Conferences

For additional information, as well as photos, please refer to the web pages for past conferences, available in the right-hand menu.

Contact Information

The International Graduate Student Conference
c/o EWC Education Program
1601 East-West Road, Burns Hall 2089
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96848
USA
Ph. (808) 944-7458
Fax (808) 944-7070
Email:  [email protected]

Please click the icon below to access our online survey and share your thoughts on this year's IGSC:

Travel notice:

The East-West Center is committed to following travel guidelines set out by the CDC regarding the coronavirus.