The 2026 Hawaii Energy Conference will welcome two influential leaders from New Zealand, bringing global insight and Indigenous perspectives to this year’s theme: Energy: Power, People, and Place. Presented by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the conference will feature keynote sessions, panels, case studies, and exhibits May 20–21, 2026, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Mana Newton, Group CEO at Tauhara North No. 2 Trust, will deliver the Day 1 keynote. The Trust was established under the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 to hold and sustainably manage the traditional lands and resources of the Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa people for the benefit of its owners and their whānau (extended family). Its mission is to balance commercial viability with cultural stewardship, ensuring the land remains in Māori ownership and continues to support current and future generations. It has joint ownership of the Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station alongside Mercury Energy.
New Zealand born with deep ties to Hawaii (his wife is Kanaka Maoli), Mana spent many years at Deloitte in both the USA practice, and as a partner in Deloitte New Zealand business advisory where he helped establish the Māori business development team. He is focused on finding economic opportunity for indigenous residents of Aotearoa, and sees parallels between Hawai’i and Aotearoa.
Mana Newton, Tauhara North No. 2 Trust will deliver the keynote at HEC 2026
“A remote island in the Pacific experiencing a loss of population. Indigenous families leaving for the Mainland. Housing prices driven up to unaffordable levels by newcomers. You might think we are talking about Hawai’i. In this case we are talking about Aotearoa (New Zealand),” said Doug McLeod, a founding member of the HEC Program Committee. “People may remember that during Covid New Zealand took a strong stand against tourism and travel in an effort to stay isolated. What you might not know is that the economy of Aotearoa never recovered. Like Hawai’i, families with ancestral ties feel compelled to leave their home to pursue economic opportunity.“
In his keynote Mana Newton will explain how geothermal energy projects are providing revenue to indigenous residents of Aotearoa in a manner that is intended to be respectful to the culture. These projects are not hypothetical, they are real projects providing both needed electricity and needed funding.
In addition to giving the keynote, Mana Newton will also join the panel on “Power, People and Place” that will look at models from Hawaii, Tribal Nations, and the Pacific. Moderated by Nāʻālehu Anthony, Owner of Palikū Documentary Films, and Chair of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply; the panel will explore how communities design and govern their own energy projects.
Andrea (Andy) Blair, also of New Zealand, will join this panel scheduled for Day 2. Andy is the Director of Business and Innovation and Co-founder of Upflow, a geothermal science, research and innovation company that builds expert teams to provide intelligent solutions to global industry. She is co-founder of Women in Geothermal (WING), the single largest geothermal association in the world that has grown into a global movement of people, both men and woman, supporting the empowerment and advancement of women within the industry. Andy is also the Immediate Past President of the International Geothermal Association (Netherlands) and a current Board Member for Global Women; a collaboration of New Zealand’s most influential women leaders promoting inclusion and diversity for improved societal and economic growth.
Andy Blair, Upflow (NZ) features on a panel on Day 2 of the Hawaii Energy Conference
A Native American representative from New Mexico and a local Native Hawaiian leader have been invited to round out this panel discussion with Nāʻālehu, Mana and Andy. Further details to be posted soon.
“We can learn a lot from indigenous models that often emphasize sustainable, community-centric approaches that leverage local resources and traditional knowledge,” said Jacqui Hoover, Conference Chair and Executive Director and COO Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB); and President Hawaii Leeward Planning. “By prioritizing local stewardship and cultural practices, indigenous frameworks can enhance energy security, foster resilience against external disruptions, and promote environmentally sustainable solutions.”
Other topics to be discussed on this year’s stage include: Cyber Resilience; LNG in Hawaii; Renewable Fuel Supply for Hawaii; Best Practices in Permitting and Policies; Higher Solar Costs & 100% RPS; Resilience & Microgrids; and Cultivating a Robust Clean Energy Workforce.
The Hawaii Energy Conference is supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and brings together experts and thought leaders to connect and explore the latest advancements shaping the energy landscape world-wide. The Conference expects to draw participation from Hawaii, the Continental U.S., Asia-Pacific, and more for the discussions on how policy, technology, and cultural wisdom can shape a resilient and more affordable energy future across all generations.
More details can be viewed at www.hawaiienergyconference.com. Registration is now open with early bird rates available until March 31.
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1982 with a mission to diversify Maui County’s economy, building pathways to innovation, jobs and opportunities for our residents. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, MEDB undertakes projects that assist growth industries with navigating and thriving in our county, educates and trains residents for new careers, and engages our community in forums that determine future economic directions.