Community Development Workshop – Honolulu, Hawai’i
Learn. Lead. Transform Your Community.
Western Rural Development Center
Community Development Workshop
April 7-9, 2026
Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel, 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, Hawai’i 9681
OVERVIEW
The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) Community Development Workshop is being facilitated to strengthen the capacity of individuals, Land-Grant Institutions and Sea Grant College programs in Alaska, Hawai’i, and the U.S. Pacific territories to design, deliver, and sustain community economic development initiatives.
Extension professionals and applied researchers from Land-Grant Institutions and Sea Grant College programs in Alaska, Hawai’i, and U.S. Pacific territories
This workshop will help you build expertise in designing and implementing effective, place-based strategies that address local economic and social priorities.
Scholarships available!
WRDC will provide funding for two participants from each Land-Grant Institution in Alaska, Hawai’i, and the U.S. Pacific territories, along with one participant each for the Alaska and Hawai’i Sea Grant programs. Each selected participant will receive up to $2,000 for travel to conference site, workshop location lodging, and meal reimbursement outside of workshop programming to their institution following the event. Workshop registration costs will also be waived.
Individuals from the institutions below will have the opportunity to provide additional information during the registration process to be considered for scholarships.
- Alaska Sea Grant
- American Samoa Community College
- College of Micronesia
- Hawai’i Sea Grant
- Ilisagvik College
- Northern Marianas College
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Guam
- University of Hawai’i
Funding priority will be given to faculty and staff seeking to strengthen their skills in community development initiatives or to expand their capacity in grant writing and program design.
Reimbursement information:
- All travel, lodging, and per diem expenses supported by the WRDC scholarship are initially the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. Participants should facilitate this travel through their institution’s policies and procedures. After the participant attends the full event, their institution may submit an invoice to WRDC for reimbursement of approved expenses, up to the awarded scholarship amount. Expenses over the amount of the scholarship are the responsibility of the institution/individual.
- If a scholarship recipient does not attend, WRDC will not reimburse any costs already incurred. Any prepaid or non‑refundable items incurred due to cancellation will be the responsibility of the scholarship recipient or institution.
Register by February 23, 2026, for first consideration. Applicants in this group will be notified by February 27, 2026.
Registration Cancellation Policy: Scholarship recipients who cancel after March 27 will be charged the full registration fee of $550. Credit card information is collected at registration.
Individuals intersted in Community Development
Limited space is also available for faculty from Land-Grant Institutions outside the Pacific Islands and Alaska, as well as for elected officials and staff, community and economic development agencies and organizations, non-profits, legislators, chambers of commerce, Indigenous-led organizations, planners, community volunteers, and private-sector representatives who are interested in foundational community development training.
Registration fee: $550.00
Please note that all expenses associated with attending the workshop are the responsibility of the participant, including travel, registration fees, hotel accommodations, and some meals.
Cancellation and refund policy: Refund requests received on or before March 27, 2026, via email will be processed with a $50 fee deducted. No refunds will be made after March 27, 2026.
The WRDC Community Development Workshop is a three-day professional development experience tailored to the unique community development challenges of rural and island communities. Through hands-on training, you will gain practical tools to design and implement locally grounded initiatives. Activities are structured to build knowledge, practical skills, and collaboration through experiential learning and peer exchange, fostering growth and resilience in your region.
Monday, April 6 – Travel to workshop site
Tuesday, April 7 – Workshop Day 1
- Breakfast on own
- 7:30 – 8 AM: Workshop Check-in
- 8 AM – Noon Topics:
- Welcome & introductions
- Community and economic development practices
- Community asset mapping and assessment
- Noon – 1 PM: Lunch provided
- Afternoon/evening: Local community development tour & dinner (tentative)
Wednesday, April 8 – Workshop Day 2
- Breakfast on own
- 8:30 AM – Noon Topics:
- Community strategic visioning and planning
- Understanding community economies
- Noon – 1 PM: Lunch provided
- 1 – 5 PM Topics:
- Dollar game (simulated learning)
- Identifying and developing stakeholders, leaders and volunteers
- Dinner on own
Thursday, April 9 – Workshop Day 3
- Breakfast on own
- 8:30 AM – Noon Topics:
- Guided grant writing and program proposal design
- Budget preparation
- Noon – 1 PM: Lunch provided
- 1 – 4 PM Topics:
- Grant proposal writing continued
- Concluding activities
Friday, April 10 – Travel home
Detailed schedule coming soon!
Nearest Airport:
Located approximately 10 miles from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), the hotel is easily accessible by taxi, rideshare or paid shuttle transfer recommended by the hotel.
Meeting location:
Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel
150 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96815
Nestled between the turquoise waters of the Waikiki Beach and the green expanse of Kapiʻolani Park, with iconic Diamond Head as a backdrop, Queen Kapiolani Hotel’s prime Honolulu location is unmatched.
Workshop lodging rates:
- $185 + tax for Studio City View (1 Queen, no balcony, max 2 people)*
- $199 + tax for City View (2 Queens or 1 King)*
- Additional third- or fourth-person charge is $55/day fee for any adult the age of 18 years or older. Max of 4 persons per room.
*There is a $14.50 + tax per person porterage charge per day on hotel rooms.
Group room rates are applicable for three (3) nights prior and three (3) nights after the official workshop dates (April 6-9) subject to hotel’s availability at the time of booking. Contact at wrdc@uidaho.edu if you’d like to request extended dates beyond those available via online booking.
NOTE: Only the meeting hotel will be eligible for lodging reimbursement by those selected for workshop scholarships.
Reserve your hotel room now:
- Online reservations
- Via phone: 1-808-931-4420
Book to reserve lodging by 5 pm Hawaii Standard Time, March 6, 2026!
Additional information:
- Hotel cancelation policy: Individual guests may cancellation their reservation up to fourteen (14) days prior to arrival without cancellation penalties. Individual reservations cancelled within thirteen (13) days of arrival date will be subject to a cancellation penalty of the full amount of the reservation (room and tax).
- Discounted valet parking of $30/day per vehicle based on availability.
For additional hotel information, onsite restaurant options and amenities visit Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel’s website.

