National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii State Convention 2026
National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii
2026 Annual State Convention!
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Friday and Saturday October 9-10, 2026
You're Invited: National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii 2026 State Convention
You are cordially invited to the 2026 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Hawaii State Convention! Join us for a weekend of empowerment, learning, and community building as we explore the latest advancements, policies, and resources for the blind and low-vision community in Hawaii.
Convention Details:
- Where: Elks Lodge 2933 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
- Bus Routes: Bus Routes 20 and 42 stop at Park Shore & Starbucks on Kalakaua Avenue & Kapahulu. Transfer to Route 14 or 200 at the transfer stop at Elks Club.
- Parking: Elks Valet Parking is included.
For more information, please contact our state affiliate president Virgil Stinnett at:
Phone: (808) 722-4243.
E-Mail: nfbhpresident@gmail.com
Meet Our National Representative: Patti Chang
We are pleased to welcome Patti Gregory-Chang as the national representative for our 2026 state convention. Patti serves as Director of Outreach for the National Federation of the Blind, a role she began in 2016 after nearly three decades as an attorney with the City of Chicago Law Department, where she rose to senior assistant corporation counsel. A University of Chicago Law School graduate and past president of the NFB of Illinois, she has argued in court and spoken across the country reading from Braille. Join us in welcoming her to Honolulu.
Meet the Blind History Lady: Peggy Chong
Peggy Chong, known as the Blind History Lady, researches and shares the stories of blind people whose lives rarely make it into history books. At convention, she'll present "NFB of Hawaiʻi, A Look at Our Past" on Friday at 2:45 PM and "A Life in the History of the Blind of Hawaiʻi" on Saturday at 10:05 AM.
Get a head start with her handout on some of Hawaiʻi's blind men and women from the past: Read Hawaiʻi's Blind History
Agenda
Friday, October 9, 2026
9:00 AM – Registration
Light breakfast
10:00 AM – Welcome
Virgil Stinnett, President, NFB of Hawaiʻi
Housekeeping: Katie Keim, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
USA Pledge: Donald Sakamoto, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
NFB Pledge: Brandon Young, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
Hawaiian Oli: Allan Hegent, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
10:15 AM – Finding My Way Through the Darkness
Autumn Louise, NFB of Hawaiʻi member; Deaf-Blind Mentor, CSC – Comprehensive Service Center for People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind
10:30 AM – Talk Story with the Governor
The Honorable Governor Josh Green, MD
Feleaʻi Tau, Director of Constituent Services and Protocol, Office of the Governor
11:30 AM – NFB National Report
Patti Chang, NFB Director of Outreach, NFB of Illinois member
12:15 PM – Resolutions Read
James Gashel, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
12:30 PM – Light Lunch
1:30 PM – News and Updates on Progress for Our Blind and Low Vision Keiki
Jamia Green, Administrator, Exceptional Support Branch, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Haruka Hopper, Educational Specialist, Exceptional Support Branch, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
1:45 PM – What Up? Current Federal and State Updates
Lea Dias, Administrator, Hawaiʻi Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
2:00 PM – Chat It Up and Read, Read and More at the Library!
Matthew Brown, Director, Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
2:15 PM – Accessible Voting
Scott Nago, Chief Election Officer, State of Hawaiʻi
2:30 PM – More What Up? Hoʻopono Blind Services, New Visions Training
Gavan Abe, Administrator, Services for the Blind Branch, Hoʻopono
2:45 PM – NFB of Hawaiʻi, A Look at Our Past
Peggy Chong, The Blind History Lady, NFB of Colorado member
3:00 PM – Exhibit Tables Open
5:30 PM – Exhibits Close
5:30 PM – Social Time and Cash Bar
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – Banquet Presentations
Master of Ceremonies: Virgil Stinnett, President, NFB of Hawaiʻi
Keynote: Patti Chang, NFB of Illinois member
Awards
Educational Scholarships
8:00 PM – Adjourn (continues Saturday, October 10)
Saturday, October 10, 2026
9:00 AM – Registration
Light breakfast
10:00 AM – Welcome
Virgil Stinnett, President, NFB of Hawaiʻi
10:05 AM – A Life in the History of the Blind of Hawaiʻi
Peggy Chong, The Blind History Lady, NFB of Colorado member
10:20 AM – Why and How, A NFB Member's Journey
Marie Kouthoofd, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
10:35 AM – AI, A Glimpse at a Whole New World
Rose Leyson, Founder, BVI GEN and Infinite with AI; AI Adoption & Change Consultant, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
10:50 AM – Money, Money?
Curtis Chong, NFB of Colorado member
11:05 AM – 1st Time NFB 2026 National Convention Attendees, A Panel
Maurice Peret, Moderator, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
11:30 AM – Light Lunch
Sponsored by the NFB of Hawaiʻi Honolulu Chapter
12:15 PM – Tech Talk
Kaili Kameoka, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
Curtis Chong, NFB of Colorado member
1:00 PM – Business Meeting
Virgil Stinnett, President, NFB of Hawaiʻi
Resolutions: James Gashel, NFB of Hawaiʻi member
Secretary's Report: James Gashel, Secretary
Treasurer's Report: Michael Norton, Treasurer
NEWSLINE Report: Marcus Bass, NFB-NEWSLINE Coordinator
NFB of Hawaiʻi Statewide Report: Virgil Stinnett, President
Chapter Updates
Elections: Virgil Stinnett, President
Closing Remarks
3:00 PM – Adjourn