Application Deadline
August 18, 2025
Submit the application below ; no late submissions will be considered.
Time & Location
Speakers should be physically present on O’ahu on Saturday, October 25, 2025 to attend the conference at Entrepreneur’s Sandbox.
Audience
Designers, researchers, writers, students/career changers, educators, freelancers, product managers, developers, and enthusiasts.
Sessions
Must fall under one of the following session formats, and ideally draw a connection to this year’s theme (below). Some possible topic ideas include case studies (especially with local companies), trends and innovation, designing with/for the community, promoting and advocating for design, etc.
Speaker Selection
First-time speakers are welcome and encouraged to apply! Sessions will be selected based on the following criteria:
Relevant to the goals and interests of the UXHI community - to connect and elevate the field of human-centered design for the people of Hawaiʻi
Fits within the theme and other selected sessions
Timeline
Sessions will be evaluated after the application deadline on August 18, 2025, and speakers will be notified of decisions as soon as possible.
Compensation
Speakers will receive:
One free admission to attend the full conference
Complimentary guest passes to watch the speaker's session (full conference access requires a ticket)
Conference Theme
This year’s UXHI Conference celebrates aloha ʻāina, love for that which feeds.
Many huaʻōlelo (words) in the Hawaiian language have no satisfying direct translation. As in the case of ʻāina, we often equate the term to mean “land.” But in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian), the translation is closer to “that which feeds.” That broadens the definition tenfold. That which feeds is also that which cares for us and that which enables us to thrive. Aloha ʻāina is grounded in practices of regeneration and reciprocity. What feeds us? And how do we feed it in return?
This year’s theme calls on us to embrace our kuleana as designers—to care not only for the people we design for, but also for the resources we ourselves rely on. As thoughtful creators, we strive for solutions that are sustainable, collectively beneficial, and in harmony with the world around us.
Some Food for Thought
How might good design contribute to sustaining ʻāina?
What does sustainable design mean and look like for teams and end-user communities?
As designers, how do we ensure that our products do net good over the long term?
Questions? Please reach out to aloha@uxhicommunity.com.
“
E Malama ‘oe I ka ‘Āina, e Malama ka ‘Āina ia ‘oe.
Take care of the land, and the land will take care of you.