2026 Clergy Conference

Guest Speaker The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton

We are delighted to have a returning guest speaker, the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, who was a part of last year's Huli Summer Speaker Series. She will be presenting on the theme: "Tradition, Transition, and Transfiguration: Living into a Time of Leadership Transition as a Communal and Spiritual Rite of Passage."

Rites of passage dramatize a given worldview in ways that evoke certain emotions, personal reflections, and changes within social/institutional structures in ways that attune our human experience to a certain corporately held social/cosmic order. This is called Cultural Cosmology. This Clergy Conference will consider the time of transition within the Diocese of Hawaii episcopate as an opportunity to explore: 1) the past experience of leadership that has shaped the diocese over recent years, 2) both the broad and specific challenges, hopes and needs that exist presently within the diocese, and 3) how the diocesan clergy, community, and new leadership will work together towards fulfilling the creative promise of the future of the diocese.

This Conference will include informational presentations, time in group discussions, individual reflection, creative expression, opportunities to engage in private rites of healing/renewal, free time on your own to socialize or rest, and corporate worship.

ABOUT TABER-HAMILTON

Rachel is an Indigenous ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. As a Shackan First Nation person, she represents the Episcopal Church on the board of the Anglican Indigenous Network and was part of the project team for the Anglican Indigenous Network video series, “Prophetic Indigenous Voices on the Planetary Crisis.” She served on the Episcopal Church delegation to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and on the Presiding Bishop's delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26 and COP28).

Rachel has written articles addressing Indigenous concerns for the Anglican Theological Journal that include “The Necessity of Native American Autonomy for Successful Partnerships” (1994) and “When Creation is Sacred” (2021).

She maintains her blog, Greening Spirit (www.greeningspirit.com), addressing environmental issues and social justice concerns towards renewing human relationships with creation and with one another. She is the co-founder of Circles of Color in the Diocese of Olympia and is a board member of the Anglican Indigenous Network.

Rachel is currently the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, WA and serves on the Board of the Episcopal Church Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity as well as the Board of Paths to Understanding, an interfaith community for social justice and reconciliation in the state of Washington.

With this being Bishop Bob's final clergy gathering as Bishop Diocesan, he encourages all clergy in the Diocese to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Rae Costa at (808) 536-7776, ext. 326, or email her HERE.

SCHEDULE (Subject to change)

MONDAY, AUGUST 24
12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m.
Lunch at Hotel

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session 1

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Eucharist & Dinner
St. Michael & All Angels

Vertical Divider

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
7:00 a.m. - 8:45 AM
Breakfast at Hotel

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session 2

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch at Hotel

Afternoon is free and dinner on own–See "Things to do on Kaua'i" further below.

Vertical Divider

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
7:00 a.m. - 8:45 AM
Breakfast at Hotel

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session 3

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch at Hotel

Go in peace...

ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL

The conference will be taking place at the Outrigger Kaua'i Beach Resort & Spa. The deadline to book at the group rate was Wednesday, July 22, 2026, but you may still book rooms based on availability through their main website HERE.

If you need to make changes to your existing reservation, please call the Reservations Team directly at (866) 471-0060.

The hotel NO LONGER offers a free shuttle from the Lihue airport.

AIR TRAVEL: The Diocese will cover interisland air travel expenses for clergy attending the conference from neighbor islands. All covered flights must be booked through the Diocesan Travel Coordinator. Please click HERE for travel procedures. When you have all your travel and personal information ready, you can submit the Air Travel Request online form HERE .

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: For those renting a car, consider carpooling with others and share the cost. St. Michael and All Angels is about 3.7 miles from the hotel. There is also Uber, Lyft, Kaua'i Taxi, and island-wide bus service with the Kaua'i Bus. (Click HERE for schedule.)

THINGS TO DO ON KAUA'I

Kaua'i is known for its outdoor activities that make full use of the beauty of "the Garden Island." Although free time is limited, below are a few of the activities nearby in Lihue and Kapa'a and suggestions further away for those with cars.

Walk or bike the 8-mile Kealia Bike Path (Ke Ala Hele Makalae) in Kapa'a. Learn more HERE.

Golfing: Squeeze in 9? There are three nearby courses with golf club rentals available.

Hiking: More leisurely hikes nearby are the Kuilau Ridge, Sleeping Giant, Wailua Falls.

Botanical Gardens: You will need a car to visit the beautiful gardens of Kaua'i.

Smith's Fern Grotto: Enjoy a boat tour of the famous fern grotto, and stay for the luau!

Kauai Backcountry Adventures: Mountain tubing, Ziplining and more!

Snorkeling: Enjoy the magical underwater view of the state's best reefs!

Kick back and relax at the hotel, whether at the beach, poolside or at the Asana Spa!

2026 ANNUAL CLERGY CONFERENCE:Tradition, Transition, and Transfiguration: Living into a Time of Leadership Transition as a Communal and Spiritual Rite of Passage

Guest Speaker The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton

SCHEDULE (Subject to change)

ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL

THINGS TO DO ON KAUA'I

2026 ANNUAL CLERGY CONFERENCE:
Tradition, Transition, and Transfiguration: Living into a Time of Leadership Transition as a Communal and Spiritual Rite of Passage