Hawaii community leaders support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific   

For 28 years, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) has played a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Since 2000, the Center has received generous support from Hawaii’s local community through the Foundation for the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. 

A group of Hawaii’s business and community leaders created the Foundation as a nonprofit institution where the local community could support the Center’s activities to ensure its continued success. Through personal donations from its members, the Foundation has supported numerous Center programs, ensuring that the Center can continue its valuable work to address the ever-evolving security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. Their support has created opportunities for alumni events and community relations activities. 

The Foundation has sponsored events like the DKI Speaker Series, where members of the community are invited to the Center to gain awareness on Indo-Pacific security issues. 

Gerry Sumida, one of the original founders and the president of the Foundation, has been instrumental in ensuring that the Foundation continues to thrive. According to Sumida, given the rising security threats in the Indo-Pacific region, the reasons to support DKI APCSS have compounded. 

“This part of the world has become much more important and critical,” said Sumida. “The [Fellows] who pass through the Center create bonds that contribute to peace and security in the region.” 

The Foundation recently conducted its biannual meeting to vote on its members and discuss how its 18 members can support the Center’s future plans. The meeting was attended by Gen. (ret.) David Bramlett, Gerald “Jerry” Sumida, Betty Brow, Connie Lau, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Darryll Wong, and DKI APCSS Deputy Director Dick Sears.  

A critical factor that has enabled the Foundation to support the Center is 10 U.S. Code § 2611. This law allows DKI APCSS to accept gifts and donations to defray costs or enhance the operation of the Regional Center. In a region characterized by complex security challenges, this provision has proven invaluable in empowering DKI APCSS to fulfill its mission. The Foundation continues to serve as a vital link between DKI APCSS and the Hawaii community, contributing to the Center’s impact in the region. 

 DKI APCSS, through its commitment to excellence and the support of the APCSS Foundation, continues to be a significant force for promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Through the provisions of 10 U.S. Code § 2611, the Center can accept donations and gifts that further enhance its capacity to address regional security challenges and promote peace and stability. With the unwavering dedication of individuals like Gerry Sumida and the continued support of the Hawaii community, DKI APCSS remains an institution that promotes the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. 

DKI APCSS, named in honor of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, was established in 1995. Its mission is to educate, connect, and empower security practitioners from the United States and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, fostering a better understanding of security issues to promote peace and stability. The Center offers various programs, including courses, workshops, and outreach initiatives designed to improve regional security cooperation and assist partner nations in addressing shared challenges.