STEAM-CON on March 14, 2026 is the inaugural signature event of the Arts & Sciences Center (ASC), created to stage the genius of our community and celebrate the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics thriving right here in Puna and across Hawai‘i Island.
Rooted in ASC’s founding vision to help our community live, learn, and thrive together, STEAM-CON brings together master artists, cultural practitioners, scientists, engineers, inventors, educators, and students for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and hands-on discovery. This event is designed to spark curiosity, elevate local work, and illuminate pathways for learning, innovation, connection and opportunity that exist close to home.
Throughout the event, guests will encounter:
• TED Talk–style presentations and featured talks on a central stage
• A fine art gallery showcasing accomplished local artists
• Demonstration booths and hands-on creation stations for all ages
• Immersive audio/visual and experiential installations
• Roving artists and live creative elements to keep the space energized
• Food and community gathering, with plans to feature an imu as a living example of indigenous science in practice
STEAM-CON places special care and intention on honoring indigenous arts and sciences, ensuring traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and ʻike kūpuna are represented with respect, accuracy, and depth. From Hawaiian cultural education and environmental resilience to cutting-edge research and innovation, the event highlights how ancestral wisdom and modern inquiry continue to inform and strengthen one another.
While STEAM-CON is welcoming to keiki and families, it is equally designed to engage seasoned art collectors, researchers, cultural leaders, and lifelong learners. The goal is for attendees to arrive curious and leave in awe, newly aware of the extraordinary creativity, intelligence, and collaboration quietly unfolding in our community.
As ASC’s first annual STEAM-CON, this event marks the beginning of a growing tradition. Each year, it will continue to evolve as new voices, ideas, and partnerships come forward, strengthening the web of connection that makes Puna and Hawai‘i Island so resilient and vibrant.
Email Jillian at
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Also check out other Arts events in Pahoa, Fine Arts events in Pahoa.
