Thu, Jan 08

Koke'e Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

Kaua'i Mushroom Summit 2026

Name: Kaua'i Mushroom Summit 2026
Start: 2026-01-08T11:00:00-10:00
End: 2026-01-10T15:00:00-10:00
Location: Koke'e Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

Join us near Koke'e State Park, centrally located between Kalalau Vista and Waimea Canyon, and embark on an unforgettable experience into the fascinating world of fungi.

Time & Location

Jan 08, 2026, 11:00 AM HST – Jan 10, 2026, 3:00 PM HST

Koke'e Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, 3600 Kokee Rd, Waimea, HI 96796, USA

About the event

Discover the fascinating world of fungi at the Kaua'i Mushroom Summit, a unique 4-day event taking place January 8-11, 2026. Our summit is nestled in the lush, cloud-covered forests near Koke'e State Park on Kaua'i in the Hawaiian Islands. This experience offers a perfect blend of hands-on workshops, expert led demonstrations, guided hikes, and opportunities to learn about Hawaiian mycology like never before. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned mycologist, you'll leave the summit equipped with practical skills to identify and document fungal biodiversity, helping to support critical conservation efforts on the island.

Participants will have the unique chance to learn fungal identification and documentation while also participating in on-site DNA sequencing. These efforts support the Kaua'i Fungal Biodiversity Survey—an important project dedicated to understanding and preserving Kaua'i's rich fungal ecosystems. Accommodation includes lodging for three nights in comfortable community sleeping quarters, and all activities are covered. Join a dedicated group of professional scientists, passionate fungi enthusiasts, and conservationists in a tropical paradise, experiencing guided hikes through verdant forests, participating in community science projects, and connecting with leading experts in Hawaiian mycology. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to deepen your appreciation of nature and contribute to vital biodiversity research. Reserve your spot today!

What’s Included:

Lodging for three nights (1 bed in community sleeping quarters)*

Full access pass to the 4-day event

Workshops, Hands-on Demonstrations, Guided Hikes

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Meet the 2026 Team

Lead Mycologist

Dr. Brian Perry

Dr. Brian A. Perry is a Professor of Biology at California State University East Bay, and Director of the HAY Fungarium. He received his Master's Degree from San Francisco State University under the guidance of Dr. Dennis E. Desjardin, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University where he studied with Dr. Donald H. Pfister. Brian has been studying fungi since 1995, and has published over 45 papers in scientific journals. In addition to studying the evolution of fungal bioluminescence, he also conducts research on mushrooms and other fungi throughout the Pacific, the assembly and biogeography of island fungal communities, endophytic fungi, and the systematics of Mycena and allied genera. Brian teaches several mycology courses at Cal State East Bay and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Lead Mycologist

Dr. Amy Honan

Amy is a mycologist studying fungal biodiversity, evolution, ecology, and biogeography. For her B.S., she studied the population genetics of the fungal root pathogen Armillaria. Her master’s thesis investigated the evolution of the saprotrophic fungal genus Tetrapyrgos. Amy’s Ph.D. dissertation explored the ecology, evolution and diversity of the stalked puffball genus Tulostoma. She is the co-founder of the Crested Butte Botanic Gardens and teaches mycology and fungal ecology for Oregon State University. Her current work involves documenting fungal biodiversity and ecology and understanding heavy metal tolerance in Suillus.

DNA Researcher

Harte Singer

Harte is the Sequencing Program Director for the Fungal Diversity Survey where he manages several DNA barcoding projects exploring the mushrooms of California through DNA-colored glasses. He is also a MS candidate in the Perry lab at CSU East Bay investigating the genomes of fungal endophytes - fungi that live in healthy plant leaves. His foray into the world of mycology began during his previous career as a chef with the age-old question: "is it edible?" The questions have changed over the years, but he still enjoys foraging and cooking mushrooms with friends and family. In his free time he runs Dikarya LLC, an artisanal DNA barcoding company.

Founder of Mālama Mushrooms

Ben Lillibridge

Based in Kona, Hawai'i, Ben Lillibridge is the founder of Mālama Mushrooms, a family-owned, superfood mushroom company for health & wellness, as well as the Hawai’i Fungi Project, a non-profit, community-science initiative devoted to the study & preservation of the mushrooms of Hawai'i.

Lead Mycologist

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is mycologist from the Pacific Northwest currently pursuing his master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has conducted field research across the United States, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. His current research focuses on the biodiversity and biogeography of Hawaiian fungi.

Herbarium and Data Curator

Oliver Filialuna

Oliver Filialuna (they/he) is an active member of the mycological enthusiasts' communities through such groups as the North American Mycological Association (Instagram manager: northamericanmyco), Stuntz Foundation (President: stuntzfund.org), and now the Biodiversity Collective. Some through lines of their work includes data wrangling, collection management, history of the myco-community, and history of mycology in the US. Oliver's love of fungi started during their undergrad at Montana State University, where they were mentored by Dr. Cathy Cripps (Capstone project: Evidence that pyrophilous fungi aggregate soil after forest fire). They have since completed an M.A. in Museum Studies for the University of Washington during which they designed a digital repository for mycological archives and histories.

Expedition Coordinator

Humphrey Hernandez Jr.

Born and raised on the island of Kaua'i, Humphrey is an amateur naturalist and fungi enthusiast. He spends much of his free time on hiking trails studying the biodiversity of the island.

Event Manager

Carole Wellmann

Carole studied environmental studies and permaculture from Naropa University. She currently works in marketing and communications as a project manager in Denver with a passion for fungi and nature.

Founder

Graham Steinruck

Graham is the owner of Biodiversity Collective, a chef, and an aspiring community naturalist who wants to share his passion with others to promote the conservation of our natural world.

Biodiversity Survey Objectives

Our main goal for this event is to observe, document, and preserve the diverse fungi of the island. By creating high-quality records and collections, we aim to contribute valuable resources to local research and education. Our hope is that this event serves as a platform to showcase the processes of conservation-informed naturalism and offers insights into field and lab scientific practices.

Hawai'i boasts one of the highest levels of plant endemism, with 90% of its 1,367 native vascular plant taxa found nowhere else. Unfortunately, many of these plants are threatened with extinction, with a significant percentage already extinct. Moreover, the fungal biodiversity of Kaua'i remains relatively understudied, highlighting the importance of our ongoing research efforts. By attending this event, your ticket purchase directly funds our endeavors to observe, document, and preserve the diverse fungi of Kaua'i, contributing to our understanding of this remarkable island's biodiversity.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an unforgettable event that combines education, exploration, and conservation. Together, let's make a meaningful impact in protecting and celebrating the natural wonders of Kaua'i.