The Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I) is managed by the Hawaii Defense Alliance and supported by Hawaiʻi congressional delegates. This program is funded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering OUSD(R&E). P3I is committed to supporting economic development in Hawaiʻi by creating jobs and opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s students, businesses and military.
Live • Work • Stay Hawai’i: Readiness Starts Here
/in NewsletterLive Work Stay Hawai‘i, sponsored by the Pacific Intelligence Innovation Initiative (P3I), features outstanding individuals with careers in the defense sector.
Keeping Talent in Hawai‘i
/in NewsletterDeputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Army Pacific, Casey Griffith, and intern Natalie Ching recently spoke about the importance of keeping Hawai‘i talent in Hawai‘i to meet growing needs in cybersecurity, IT, and tech.
Griffith highlighted that building a local, skilled workforce strengthens both national security and Hawai‘i’s economy. Ching shared how programs like P3I give students real opportunities to launch high-paying tech careers without leaving the islands.
Finding Early Career Opportunities Right Here at Home
/in NewsletterMikhaela van Hoven, Australian Desk Support Officer at SMX, and Tess Schwalger, J5 Executive Officer at SMX, shared their experiences building early career pathways in cyber, IT, and defense support—right here in Hawai‘i.
Both highlighted how local training and workforce programs helped them gain the skills, experience, and connections they needed to launch successful careers without leaving the islands. Their stories show that high-impact opportunities are already here—growing Hawai‘i’s talent for Hawai‘i’s future.
Intelligence Career Opportunities in High Demand
/in NewsletterMichael Cardenas of MC3 and Anson Ekau, a local data science intern, recently appeared on KHON’s Living808 to highlight the exciting career opportunities available in cybersecurity, data science, and intelligence right here in Hawai‘i.
Cardenas emphasized the critical need for homegrown talent to fill these high-demand roles, while Ekau shared his own experience gaining hands-on skills through local training and internship programs. Both stressed that students and professionals don’t have to leave Hawai‘i to build meaningful, well-paying careers in these fast-growing fields.
Opportunities in Defense and Innovation
/in NewsletterJason Chung with P3I joined Owen Noguchi, a local high school senior, on KHON’s Living808 to talk about how Hawai‘i’s youth are preparing for high-impact careers in cybersecurity, data science, and intelligence —without ever leaving the islands.