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Pacific Association for the Continental Tradition
17th Annual Meeting
October 8-10, 2026
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Metamorphosis
The banner image, Hoʻopono, is part of a project, Likoliko Noʻeau: A Flourishing Tradition of Contemporary Hawaiian Art. It is one side of a two sided mural, ʻĀina Aloha, created by Kahi Ching, Solomon Robert Nui Enos, Al Lagunero, Meleanna Aluli Meyer, Harinani Kalohelani Orme, and Carl Franklin Kaʻailāʻau Pao in 2015. Hoʻopono depicts ancestors as they build community through religion, voyaging, and other practices. The mural is part of Meyer’s larger film and touring project Kuʻu ʻĀina Aloha. In depicting the kinship relationship between human beings and the ʻĀina (Land or biotic community), Hoʻopono perhaps suggests the cultural metamorphosis needed to overcome the global crisis we face today in order to become capable of Mālama Honua, caring for the earth as our home.
For this year's conference we invite papers on the theme of "Metamorphosis."
Abstracts of 500 words should be submitted to
Chris Lauer (lauer3@hawaii.edu) no later than April 1, 2026
Questions? Contact: Chris Lauer at the address above
The aim of the Pacific Association for the Continental Tradition is to provide a platform for philosophical dialogue on the West Coast. The annual conference alternates between Seattle (Seattle University), Hawaiʻi (University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo), San Francisco (University of San Fransisco), and Los Angeles (Loyola Marymount University). PACT takes “Continental Philosophy” in its broadest sense, and everyone with an interest in continental thinking is invited to send in a submission and to participate. The conferences are always devoted to a particular theme which is determined at the previous meeting by the vote of all the conference participants.
JPACT is an open-access online journal for the practice of philosophy in the West. We are now accepting submissions. All articles will be reviewed anonymously by at least two readers in addition to a member of the editorial staff.
Please send abstracts and articles in a single file to the Editor,
Chris Lauer
