Hawaii Society of Business Professionals Panel

On February 26, 2026, Pacific Impact Zone was invited to participate in a panel hosted by Hawaii Society of Business Professionals, titled: “Can Advanced Manufacturing Solve Hawaii’s Supply Chain?”
The panel explored how advanced manufacturing has evolved beyond a buzzword, into the integration of AI, automation, robotics, and 3D printing to improve efficiency, quality, and flexibility in production.

Speakers discussed current projects underway in Hawaii, future opportunities on the horizon, and strategies to help the state remain competitive in this rapidly growing industry. Trung Lam, executive director and CEO of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, shared how his organization has been leading statewide efforts to modernize Hawaii’s technology sector and strengthen locally rooted manufacturing. Kevin Miyashiro, CEO of Pacific Impact Zone, highlighted initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Advanced Manufacturing partnership, which aimed to enhance dual-use production capacity and supply chain resilience. Anthony Escasa, Senior VP of Strategic Programs at Pacific Impact Zone, discussed aligning state, federal, and industry partners to support scalable, defense-ready manufacturing capabilities.
Kyla Lee, a dynamic and driven technology leader with a Master of Science in Information Systems, emphasized workforce development, secure manufacturing practices, and strengthening the defense innovation pipeline. Together, the panelists underscored how advanced manufacturing creates long-term economic opportunity and resilience for Hawaii’s communities.