Honolulu is set to host the third Pacific Alliance for Collaboration and Technology (PACT) from February 25 to 27, 2024. The event will take place at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, bringing together government officials, startup founders, and defense contractors to focus on enhancing resilience across the Indo-Pacific region. Organizers have designed a program that prioritizes hands-on sessions and smaller working groups over traditional podium speeches, aiming to integrate commercial technologies into security and climate applications.
The agenda emphasizes interoperable data sharing and “whole of society” solutions for both natural and human-made disasters. Sessions will feature a solutions showcase, contracting panels, design sprints, and a proving grounds track aimed at advancing technologies from initial demonstrations to real-world deployment. PACT deliberately limits attendance to foster direct collaboration among allied militaries, commercial vendors, and private capital.
Ian Kitajima and Keith Matsumoto, leaders from the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR), previewed the summit on Hawaii News Now. Kitajima noted that PICHTR was founded in 1985 under President Ronald Reagan and has a history of supporting dual-use projects, bridging gaps between civilian and military applications. The organization’s previous work includes launching accelerators and managing programs focused on the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) with support from both U.S. and Japanese partners.
Spotlighting Local Startups and Contract Opportunities
The summit aims to highlight contract pathways for Hawaiian companies. A recent PICHTR announcement revealed a strategic partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Depot Maintenance Command. This partnership will facilitate Indo-Pacific sustainment and advanced manufacturing, laying out a framework for task orders using MDMC infrastructure. PICHTR officials believe this relationship will create new teaming opportunities for local businesses.
Startups such as VFR, AirKamuy, and Diarkis, all alumni of the J-StarX program, have already made inroads into defense markets, with two securing spots in the Defense Innovation Unit’s Drone Dominance top 25. These connections reinforce the conference’s dual-use focus, where technologies designed for civilian applications also contribute to military needs, such as sustainability and domain awareness.
Creating Pathways for Future Collaborations
Organizers emphasize that PACT is not merely a series of keynote speeches but a platform for fostering genuine partnerships. The format encourages follow-on acquisitions and pilot projects, providing local entrepreneurs and defense contractors with unique opportunities to connect with allied governments and private funders. The expectation is that the working sessions will inspire teaming proposals that could lead to contracts as early as this year.
With space limited, the summit is designed to facilitate meaningful discussions on pressing challenges, allowing participants to address issues directly rather than getting lost in a crowded convention hall. The focus on practical engagement reflects a commitment to advancing regional security and climate resilience through collaboration and innovation.
