PRiMO Conference
About the Conference
The Pacific Risk Management ʻOhana (PRiMO) is a regional platform that recognizes the value of collective action and is committed to enhancing cooperation, coordination, and collaboration to strengthen and sustain resilient island communities. PRiMO brings people and organizations together to channel their efforts more effectively toward our common goals.
Back to Top2026 Conference
A meeting hosted by the Pacific Risk Management ʻOhana (PRiMO) and American Samoa Community College
September 21–23, 2026
Rex H. Lee Auditorium
Utulei, American Samoa
Theme
Pasefika: The Ocean. The Land. The People
The Pacific Islands face an unprecedented combination of natural hazards and human-caused challenges. No single community can face these threats alone. By bringing diverse people and organizations together and channeling our collective efforts toward common goals, we can protect our homes, livelihoods, and culture. PRiMO stands at the center of this mission, unifying Pasefika voices to build a safer, more sustainable, and profoundly resilient Pacific. We invite participants from across the region to share powerful stories of resilience, Traditional Knowledge, and cultural practices as they evolve from our ancestors to future generations.
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NOW OPEN
| Full conference | Daily rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Through 9/21 | $50 | $25 |
Preconference Training
Preconference training will be held prior to the conference on Monday, September 21, 2026, and located at the Tauese P. F. Sunia Ocean Center. The training is free, and conference registration is not required to attend. Attendance is capped at 40 participants. If registration closes due to capacity, please email ndptc-operations@lists.hawaii.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Building Disaster Resilience for Community Leadership (AWR-310)
Instructor: Nicole Boothman-Shepard
Questions? Contact ndptc-operations@lists.hawaii.edu.
Community leaders can enhance their community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all forms of disasters. This course improves understanding of natural disasters, risk assessment in the context of disaster management, prevailing emergency management procedures and operations, and the different vulnerability factors that exist within the community.
This course also helps community leaders understand the plans and tools needed for natural disasters, and it identifies the individuals and groups best equipped to handle response and recovery.
Course modules:
- Community Preparedness
- Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Social Capital
- Growing Social Capital
Preconference Excursion
An excursion to Fagasā Village will be held prior to the conference on Monday, September 21, 2026. Register early via the conference registration link as attendance is capped at 50 participants. If registration closes, email primopartnership@gmail.com to be added to the waitlist.
Fagasā Village: Forbidden Bay
Immerse yourself in a cultural journey through Fagasā, also known as the “Forbidden Bay.” Learn the legend of the navigator Liava’a, his daughter Sina, and the akule (bigeye scad) that continues to bless the village. Today, the sacred restriction (Sā) persists through the villagers’ dedication to their traditional roles, including welcoming and harvesting the catch using handwoven coconut frond nets. Discover the power of storytelling in preserving heritage, and witness how deep-rooted Traditional Knowledge builds lasting community resilience.
Back to TopPast Conferences
Did you know the first PRiMO convening was the Federal Hazard Mitigation Partners in the Pacific Islands Roundtable in March 2003? Since then, we’ve been holding meetings and conferences almost every year in Honolulu, Guam, American Samoa, and other locations. Learn more about our history and view past meeting and conference materials on the Our History page.
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