, organized by the and the , is the first of what is expected to be an annual event aimed at creating and maintaining a dialog about what it will take to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy by building the state’s technology and innovation sector.
“The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to continuing to accelerate the growth of our research activities,” said , 东精影业 Board of Regents chair. “Our goal is to anchor and support the emergence of a billion dollar innovation and research sector in Hawaiʻi.”
The first Future Focus conference, sponsored by and the , focused on energy and cybersecurity with experts and officials from around the country describing the opportunities and resources available for Hawaiʻi companies.
It was all presented in a variety of engaging formats such as TED Talk style speakers, poolside chats, without the pool, and smaller breakout sessions. More than 200 people from the public and private sector attended, including officials from the , , , the heads of large companies such as and and the founders of promising local startups such as , and MorphOptics.
Governor started the conference by telling everyone in attendance that time is now for Hawaiʻi to develop its technology and innovation sector, adding that he has a personal interest in its success.
Said Governor Ige, “My son’s a junior majoring in computer sciences so essentially we have two years, everyone, to create the job opportunities (loud laughter from crowd) that our young people will want to fight for. To give them the opportunity to return to Hawaiʻi and live, work, play here at home.”