On September 26, 2025, PUBA once again participated in the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Conference (HANOCON), the State’s largest annual gathering of nonprofit professionals. PUBA sent a delegation of four MPA students and one faculty member to the event. Here is what the students have to say:
Jennifer: “HANOCON was both inspiring and grounding. A highlight for me was Trevor Asam’s presentation on the First Amendment rights of nonprofits to define their service groups. He traced the Harvard case against Trump and, when I asked for one positive takeaway for PUBA students, he reminded me that ‘the courts will hold’. I also reconnected with colleagues, including Linda Thielen from Partners in Care, whom I hope to invite to a future PASO event. To top it off, I was fortunate to win second place in the vendor stamp card drawing. Overall, the conference reinforced the resilience of Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit sector and deepened my commitment to applying these lessons within our MPA studies and future public service careers.”
John: “Going to HANOCON really helped me understand the nonprofit sector in a more practical way after taking PUBA 631. In the first session, I realized how much strategy matters when Jodi Robinson and Jacob Aki explained how nonprofits can shape policy if they communicate their priorities the right way. I didn’t think much before about how framing your message makes such a big difference, but practicing it showed me how powerful it can be. The second session with Trevor Asam stood out because it made me more aware of how federal actions, like executive orders and court cases, can directly affect nonprofits. Overall, the workshops gave me not just information but also tools and insights I can carry forward to better understand and support the work nonprofits do.”
Jia: “Attending HANOCON 2025 offered deep insights into the passion, struggles, and unity of Hawaiʻi’s nonprofits. Workshop leaders shared their ʻike on critical topics such as effective evaluations, staying true to the mission, and navigating federal funding cuts. The deep belief these nonprofits hold in their values and their mission to benefit society as a whole was palpable in the atmosphere and uplifted others attending. Lastly, it was inspiring to see visionary keynote speakers share advice on how to take the best steps forward and what resources are available to support; that immense growth and resilience isn’t possible with discomfort.”
Seung: “Two things stood out to me at HANOCON 2025. One was the sincere love, care, and dedication that nonprofit professionals have for their constituents. In all three sessions I attended, the recent funding upheavals caused by changes in the federal government dominated the conversations. Attendees spoke with sadness, concern, and anxiety, yet their focus was never on their organizations or themselves. It was always on the communities they serve and the potential loss of support for those who depend on them. Their commitment continues to leave a lasting imprint on me. The second was how uniquely HANOCON is and how amazing that is. I have been to conferences outside the islands, and while they each offer valuable insights and their own uniqueness, the culture, togetherness, and resilience of Hawaiʻi were clearly on display at every front and corner. The lei symbolizing togetherness, the emphasis on keiki and kūpuna, the visible support for one another, and the warm smiles throughout the event all reflected the spirit of aloha that makes HANOCON stand apart.”