NEWS RELEASE: Hawai’i AI and Cloud Innovation Summit Draws Business and Government Leaders to Explore the Future of AI

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI

JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

HAWAI‘I TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

TRUNG LAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

HAWAI‘I AI AND CLOUD INNOVATION SUMMIT DRAWS BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF AI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2026

HONOLULU – Hundreds of business, government, nonprofit, education and technology leaders convened at the 5^th Annual Hawaiʻi AI and Cloud Innovation Summit at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort, bringing together decision makers focused on turning artificial intelligence from experimentation into practical solutions that strengthen Hawaiʻi’s economy and workforce.

Convened by TRUE Initiative in partnership with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) and the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, the summit explored how Hawaiʻi can build greater AI self-reliance through locally governed infrastructure, data, talent development and responsible implementation strategies.

The day featured keynote remarks from Peter Schwartz, chief futurist at Salesforce, along with presentations and panel discussions featuring leaders from government, industry, academia and the nonprofit sector. The summit reinforced a shared commitment to ensuring that AI innovation in Hawaiʻi reflects local values while creating economic opportunities, improving public services and preparing organizations for the future of work.

Advancing Hawaiʻi’s AI Future

A recurring theme throughout the event was the importance of collaboration across sectors to ensure Hawaiʻi benefits from emerging technologies while maintaining local control over critical decisions data, and implementation strategies.

“For five years, this summit has brought together the leaders who have the ability to move Hawaiʻi forward,” said James Kunane Tokioka, DBEDT director. “This year’s conversations demonstrated that our community is ready to move beyond awareness and into action. The opportunity before us is to build AI capabilities that strengthen our economy, support local talent and create solutions that reflect Hawaiʻi’s unique values and priorities.”

Building Capacity Through Partnerships

The summit highlighted the critical role of public-private partnerships in accelerating responsible AI adoption and ensuring organizations have the tools, governance frameworks and skilled workforce needed to succeed.

“The innovation we saw today confirms that Hawaiʻi is well positioned to lead in the practical application of AI,” said Nicole Cacal, TRUE Initiative executive director. “By bringing together government, business, education and community leaders, we’re helping create the relationships and knowledge-sharing necessary to turn emerging technologies into measurable benefits for organizations and residents across the state.”

From Discussion to Implementation

Speakers emphasized that building Hawaiʻi’s AI capabilities requires investing in people and ensuring local values and community priorities guide how the technology is developed and used.

“AI self-reliance means investing in our people, building local capabilities and ensuring Hawaiʻi has a meaningful voice in the decisions shaping our future,” said Lynelle Marble, Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative executive director. “Our relationships, trust and shared kuleana are assets in this work. They can help guide how we develop and use AI so that its advancement creates lasting benefits for the people and communities who call Hawaiʻi home.”

B-Roll, sound bites and photos: Video footage and photos from the event are available for media use here (video credit: Orig Media / photo credit: Tony Consillio).

About the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)

HTDC is a state agency attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and is focused on promoting and developing Hawai‘i’s technology industry. With a mission to facilitate the growth of technology and innovation, HTDC plays a key role in connecting talent with opportunities in the state. For more information, please visit htdc.org.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.

About TRUE

TRUE’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of technology in Hawaiʻi. By leveraging technology, our community can upskill, increase productivity, improve efficiencies and gain customer insights. By accelerating the adoption of technology, local organizations succeed and Hawaiʻi’s economy becomes more diversified and sustainable, resulting in job creation and opportunities for higher wages, allowing the workforce to build assets and a better quality of life.

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