The Pacific Century Fellows

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with this year’s Pacific Century Fellows on September 27. This group is our next generation of leaders and includes State Representative Ty Cullin, and one of our own, University of Hawaiʻi Regent Michael Dahilig.

The Pacific Century Fellows program, based on the White House Fellows Program, was founded by former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. It aims to develop leaders who will bring with them a greater awareness and sensitivity to the people of Hawaiʻi. Each year, the program brings together a diverse group of approximately 32 of Hawaiʻi’s most promising individuals. The fellows come from all professions and all walks of life.

Through the program, they are encouraged to develop long-term relationships with their senior community and community leaders. I had the privilege of meeting them and presenting my University of Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative (HI2), which strives to double our research funding over the next few years.