Friday September 4, 2026
Theme – Navigating Global Digital Governance
Doors open at 8:30 am
Location: Servpac, Activity Room, Mililani Tech Park, 200 Kahelu Ave,
Mililani, HI 96789
(Note: all times are in Hawaiʻs Standard Time (HST) time zone (UTC-10)
8:30 – 9:00 am, 18:30 – 19:00 UTC
9:00 – 9:15 am, 19:00 – 19:15 UTC
Blessings and Welcome Messages
Description:
Welcome and opening remarks by the HiSIG 2026 Chair, ServPac host, and other introductions by the MC.
Speakers:
- Burt Lum, Chair and Master of Ceremony (MC), HiSIG 2026
9:15 – 10:00 am, 19:15 – 20:00 UTC
Keynote – State of the Internet
Description:
The Internet is one of the most transformative innovations in human history. By democratizing access to information, the Internet has revolutionized how we exchange ideas, conduct business, and connect with others. Indeed, the Internet has become the lifeblood of our global society.
This session will provide a brief history of the Internet in Hawaii and discuss how the Internet continues to evolve and develop. Our goal is to ensure that the Internet continues to be an incredible force for good.
Speakers:
- Vint Cerf – Chief Internet Evangelist, Google
10:00 – 10:15 am, 20:00 – 20:15 UTC
Break and Networking
Sponsored by: Servpac
10:15 – 11:15 am, 20:15 – 21:15 UTC
Understanding Internet Governance
Description:
Review the basic concepts of Internet governance, its stakeholders, and the fundamental principles guiding its development. Everything rides on the Internet. Does the term Internet Governance also include A.I., data and digital technologies?
Speakers:
- Fiona Alexander, American University, IGF MAG
- Ron da Silva, IGF-USA
11:15 – 12:15 pm, 21:15 – 22:15 UTC
The Multistakeholder Model
Description:
The concept used in Internet Governance is widely known as the Multistakeholder Model is second nature to many folks especially those involved with ICANN, IGF, and ISOC. This session that will explore the historical context of this term and its evolution as the de facto standard for Internet organizations. We will also discuss how this process remains inclusive of all voices, with a specific focus on multilingual and indigenous perspectives.
Speakers:
- Naela Sarras, ICANN
- Jen Chung, VP Policy, Dot.Asia
- Avri Doria, Technicalities
12:15 – 1:00 pm, 22:15 – 23:00 UTC
Lunch
Sponsored by: Internet Society
1:00 – 2:00 pm, 23:00 – 12am UTC
Indigenous Knowledge in the Digital Age
Description:
In the digital age, Indigenous Knowledge is no longer just ancestral heritage; it is a vital pillar of data sovereignty. As AI evolves, the focus shifts toward “Sovereign AI”, ensuring Indigenous communities control how their traditional wisdom is digitized, protected, and utilized, preventing extraction while fostering innovation that respects cultural protocols and self-determination.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Sharayah Lane, Internet Society
- Leimomi Bong, Office of Indigenous Knowledge
- Olin Kealoha Lagon – Serial Social Entrepreneur
- Richard Ng – IndigiDAO
2:00 – 3:00 pm, 12am – 1am UTC
Digital Equity and Inclusive Internet Access
Description:
At a time when the world is accelerating towards an increasingly digital future, it is paramount to ensure that everyone, regardless of their ethnic, gender, age and socio-economic background, has access to the Internet and the skills to navigate and utilize it effectively.
Speakers:
- Colin Rhinesmith, Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Monique Tate, Community Tech New York
- Burt Lum, Internet Society Hawaii
3:00 – 4:00 pm, 1am – 2am UTC
Trust, Safety, and Risk in a Connected AI World
Description:
This panel explores how trust is built and broken in a world where AI systems are increasingly networked across devices, platforms, and critical services. We’ll highlight the upside of connected AI through better personalization, faster decisions, and improved accessibility. This alongside real tradeoffs like expanded attack surfaces, privacy leakage, bias and unequal impacts at scale, and cascading failures when one component goes wrong. Panelists will discuss practical approaches to safety and risk management, including secure-by-design architectures, human oversight, transparency and auditability, governance and compliance, and incident response strategies that keep innovation moving without eroding public confidence.
Speakers:
4:30 – 6:30 pm, 2:30am – 4:30am UTC
Pau Hana Reception
Location: 604 Clubhouse, 199 Leilehua Golf Course Rd, Wahiawa, HI 96786
Special viewing of The 100th, Seeds of Aloha (time permitting)
Special Mahalo to ID8
Sponsored by: Internet Society