U.S. diplomatic expert says Hawaiʻi is critical in global security efforts

Policymakers who come from the region they represent would better understand the issues that region faces. Seems like sound premise — and one that makes sense to a former U.S. diplomat.

Prominent philanthropist, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., and national security expert Glen S. Fukushima took center stage Tuesday at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, speaking about the critical need for more policymakers from the islands in the Indo-Pacific region.

The former deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for Japan and China shared insights about shifting national security dynamics in the region, highlighting a need for more policymakers with knowledge of and expertise in its political landscape.

University of Hawaiʻi Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are great at what they do, along with other key players already working hard on research and other national security issues, but Fukushima says more is needed.

He noted Hawaiʻi brings significant advantages to the policymaking table in the Indo-Pacific region.

“There’s just a lot that Hawaiʻi has in terms of the University of Hawaiʻi, the East-West Center and others that are experts in Asia,” Fukushima said.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has long been renowned for its excellence in Asian and Pacific Islands studies.

Think tank University of Hawaiʻi Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs — established in 2022 with congressional funding — addresses security challenges and provides student development opportunities.

“When we did an inventory, we were surprised that in addition to our area experts that we have at our area centers, that we have faculty across the campus across disciplines with expertise in the Indo-Pacific,” said Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs Director Petrice Flowers.

Fukushima added there’s also a huge diversity advantage in the islands: “I think it really represents the United States.”

He also emphasized how national security in the Indo-Pacific region changed during the past decade, outlining key challenges for the United States in ensuring security in Asia:

• Maintaining consistent policy.
• Implementing a coherent strategy.
• Coordinating effectively with allies.

Fukushima is vice chairman of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and also former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

He further stressed the need for more Hawaiʻi voices with real-world experience in Asia.

“I really would like Hawaiʻi to be more represented in the Washington policy mix because what I find is that despite the importance of Asia, there are very few people in senior positions in the U.S. government who have had experience in Asia and who can speak and read Asian languages and have had real experience working in Asia,” Fukushima said.