HONOLULU, HI – The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii will host the Impact Gala: Advocacy Awards & Highlights Presented by United Airlines on Friday, June 26, 2026, bringing together business and government leaders for an evening dedicated to recognizing leadership, reflecting on key policy outcomes, and strengthening collaboration across sectors. The program begins at 5:00 p.m. with registration, followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, leadership forum, and awards presentation. 

Held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the event will highlight major takeaways from the 2026 legislative session and honor policymakers and advocates from the 2025 legislative session whose leadership has made a meaningful impact on Hawaii’s business community.  

“The Impact Gala reflects the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to advocating for Hawaii’s businesses and ensuring their voices are heard at every level of government,” says Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. “It is also a moment to align on the priorities outlined in the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii, as we continue working collaboratively to strengthen our economy, support our local businesses, and build a more resilient future for our state. We also recognize the important role legislators have in serving our community, and we appreciate their partnership in advancing meaningful, practical solutions for Hawaii.” 

The evening will feature a Leadership Forum and Session Highlights (formerly known as the Legislative Wrap-Up), presented by Kaiser Permanente, offering insight into priority issues shaping Hawaii’s economic future. Panelists include: 

• Director James Tokioka, Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism, State of Hawaii 

• Senate President, Ron Kouchi 

• Mayor of Oahu, Rick Blangiardi 

• Mayor of Kauai County, Derek Kawakami 

• Maui County Deputy Managing Director, Erin Wade  

This will be followed by the Advocacy Awards Ceremony, which will recognize outstanding leaders from the 2025 Legislative Session, including:  

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Senator Lorraine Inouye 

• Chamber Champions of the Year 

• Senator Troy Hashimoto 

• Representative Adrian Tam  

• Small Business Advocate of the Year, Representative Sean Quinlan 

• Woman Leader of the Year, Representative Linda Ichiyama  

• Blueprint Champion of the Year, Representative Darius Kila 

This event is made possible by our sponsors, including United Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, and Aloha State Daily. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available, with proceeds supporting the Chamber’s ongoing work as the voice of business in Hawaii. Register at cochawaii.org/events or email Events Manager Zoe Shimizu at zshimizu@cochawaii.org.