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The Kapolei Chamber of Commerce is an active member of the Military Affairs Council.

At the recent Bi-Annual State of the Indo-Pacific, there were panel discussions regarding a partnership between JBPHH and MA'O Farms as well as emergency access to KoleKole pass. 

Did you know that the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce has a 

Military and Veteran Affairs Committee? 

For more info on the Committee and upcoming meetings

, please email Kiran at kiranpolk@gmail.com or kpolk@AmStrongAction.com

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024 the MAC hosted its second State of Indo-Pacific this year at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Hall at Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial Park. The theme “The Power of Partnerships” highlighted the important opportunities the military, government and community have to enhance and protect our home when we all work together.

Christine Lanning, vice chair of the Military Affairs Council, welcomed more than 150 attendees and introduced Governor Josh Green, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. The Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment, provided the keynote address. She delivered heartfelt comments on the value and importance of partnerships based on her leadership actions in Hawai‘i and throughout the nation.

The first panel focused on the partnership of Waimea Nui Homestead and Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawai‘i Island to establish an emergency operations center to increase disaster preparedness for the entire community. Panel members were:

• LTC Tim Alvarado, Commander, PTA
• Mike Hodson, Waimea Nui CDC
• Moderator – Noelani Kalipi, Civilian Aide to the SecArmy, Hawai‘i Island

The second panel focused on Oahu’s Kolekole Pass with a commitment to provide safe passage for residents in time of emergency, featuring the following speakers:

• COL James Barros (ret), Administrator, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
• David Roudybush, Deputy, Army Garrison Hawai‘i
• Ed Sniffen, Director, Hawaii Department of Transportation
• Capt Sam White, Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH)
• Moderator – BG Lance Okamura, Deputy Commanding General (Mobilization and Reserve Affairs), USARPAC

JBPHH, in partnership with MA‘O Organic Farms, was awarded $1.1M of FY19 REPI Funding to expand agricultural and recreational use of MA‘O’s 236-acre Palikea parcel in Lualualei Valley on the Leeward side of Oahu, in perpetuity, via a conservation easement. The final panel featured MAʻO organic farms and Lualualei/Navy and their support of climate and food resiliency. Panelists were:


• Susie Fong, Community Planning Liaison Officer, JBPHH
• Alexandra Kazlausky, CFO, MAʻO Organic Farms
• Moderator – Kaley Vatalaro, REPI Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i plays a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region and through the power of partnerships, there is much that we can achieve together. Mahalo to everyone who attended. Hope you enjoyed the special bento box from Nami Kaze!

Exercise Rim of the Pacific
The multinational members of the Combined Forces Maritime Component group during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 onboard the USS Missouri, Honolulu, Hawaii, on 30 July 2024. (Photo by Sergeant Nathan Spence, MARPAC Imaging Services)

The 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, held between June 27 - Aug. 1. There were 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participating in RIMPAC exercises around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. VADM John Wade, Commander, 3rd Fleet and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force Commander, shared his final accomplishments and success of 2024 RIMPAC, to watch the video click here.