The 18th COVO Annual Statewide Convention was held on August 6, 2005 at the Maui Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului, Maui.  The theme of the convention was "Visayans and the 2006 Filipino Centennial." The morning panel discussion, participated in by panelists from the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, looked at the contributions Visayans made to the social, cultural, political and economic life of Hawaii and also discussed the plans of the Visayan community for the upcoming centennial celebration.  Mayor Alan Arakawa of Maui graced the convention as its luncheon speaker.  The afternoon session featured organizational business matters and the passage of several resolutions.  It also included the election of a new set of officers headed by Margarita Hopkins of the Big Island as president for the 2005-2007 term. 

The evening gala, which was held at the same place and attended by almost 400 people, was a very successful one, with a sumptuous feast, fine cultural entertainment, and lots of dancing, capped with the community singing of the unity song "If We Hold On Together."  The convention was a memorable not only because it was being held for the first time in Maui but because it marked the entry of the first-ever Maui-based Visayan organizations into COVO thereby making COVO a truly statewide umbrella organization. 

The next statewide convention will be held in Honolulu and will feature the third Lapu-Lapu Awards.  It will be part of the 2006 Filipino Centennial Celebration.