Thu, Jan 08

Koke'e Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

Kauaʻi Mushroom Summit 2026

Name: Kauaʻi Mushroom Summit 2026
Start: 2026-01-08T11:00:00-10:00
End: 2026-01-11T15:00:00-10:00
Location: Koke'e Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

Join us near Kokeʻe 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 – Jan 11, 2026, 3:00 PM

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

About the event

Discover the fascinating world of fungi at the Kauaʻi Mushroom Summit, a unique event taking place January 8–11, 2026. Nestled in the lush, cloud-covered forests near Kōkeʻe State Park, this immersive experience offers a blend of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and field trips to learn about Hawaiian mycology. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned mycologist, you'll leave equipped with practical skills to identify and document fungal biodiversity, helping to support critical conservation efforts on the island.

Participants will also have the chance to take part in on-site DNA sequencing, contributing directly to the Kauaʻi Fungal Biodiversity Survey—an important project dedicated to understanding and preserving Kauaʻi’s rich fungal ecosystems.

What’s Included:

Lodging for three nights (single beds in shared community quarters)
Full access to workshops, field trips, and demonstrations
Shuttle transportation to and from Līhu‘e Airport at scheduled times
Daily breakfast and potluck-style dinners (participants bring lunch and snacks)

Space is limited to 15 participants. Please bring your own bedding (pillow and sleeping bag), bath towel, and gear for rain or cool weather.

If you are a Hawai‘i resident, please use our contact form to access a kamaʻāina discount.

**Your ticket includes access to all workshops and demonstrations, transportation to and from the event (at scheduled times), lodging for 3 nights (1/8/26, 1/9/26, 1/10/26), and breakfast. It does not include plane tickets or other travel expenses, drinks (other than water and coffee), laundry, etc unless otherwise stated here. Be sure to read our Travel & Lodging Information page before purchasing a ticket**

Schedule

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
30 minutes
LIH airport pickup
Lihue Airport (LIH)
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
30 minutes
Arrive CCC Camp
CCC Camp

25 more items available

Tickets

Full Access Pass
$1,000.00
+$47.12 Kaua'i GET
+$26.18 ticket service fee
Quantity

Total

$0.00

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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, Hawaiʻi, Ben Lillibridge is the founder of Mālama Mushrooms, a family-owned, superfood mushroom company for health & wellness, as well as the Hawaii Fungi Project, a non-profit, community-science initiative devoted to the study & preservation of the mushrooms of Hawaiʻi.

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.

Expedition Coordinator

Humphrey Hernandez Jr.

Born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi, 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.

Hawaiʻi 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 Kauaʻi 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 Kauaʻi, 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 Kauaʻi.