Name: Hawaii Data & AI Summit 2025
Start: 2025-05-14T08:00
Location: Prince Waikiki

Overview

Data is critical to the decision making of today's public sector organizations, and AI can play a big part in making your data work for you. The Hawaii Data and AI Summit brings together data focused public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches to managing, governing, and using data empowered by AI to make the tough decisions. Join us and let's share best practices and learn from each other!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The 2025 Hawai’i Data & AI Summit, now in its second year, will once again bring together public-sector IT staff and key industry experts to share best practices and new approaches to how we use and manage these technologies. Government use of data and AI is skyrocketing as we find that these tools are helping us make better-informed decisions. Please join us for a day of learning and sharing.

- Christine M. Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, State of Hawai’i

Data and AI use is evolving quickly, and the 2025 Hawai’i Data & AI Summit will help us keep up with the complexities and uses of data and AI in improving operational efficiencies, making evidence-based policy decisions, promoting trust, and improving citizen satisfaction. At the summit we will discuss the efforts of the Hawai’i Data Task Force to establish data and AI standards, promote data sharing from our state and county departments, and collaborate on where we should go next. I look forward to seeing you all at this important event.

- Rebecca Cai, Chief Data Officer, State of Hawai’i

Speakers

Patrick Tedjamulia

Tech Founder, Innovative Product Leader at Meta, Google, Procter & Gamble, & General Mills

Patrick Tedjamulia is a groundbreaking tech expert and serial entrepreneur celebrated for his future-focused approach to leadership, innovation, AI, and organizational culture. As a Hispanic immigrant who rose to prominence by redefining the boundaries of customer-centric digital marketing at industry giants like Meta, Google, Procter & Gamble, and General Mills, his journey is a testament to the power of resilience and ingenuity. Mentored by luminaries such as Stephen R. Covey, Jack Welch, David Copperfield, Craig Newmark, and Stan Lee, he is uniquely skilled at inspiring audiences to imagine the possibilities of emerging technologies — such as AI — and then providing established frameworks they can adapt to put those ideas into action to lead their organizations into a new era of transformation and growth.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Tedjamulia encourages leaders and their teams to think outside the limits they have set for themselves and their businesses and, instead, adopt a growth leadership mindset that enables them to think about their organization’s next iteration in new and exciting ways. He awakens groups’ curiosity with truly spellbinding insights into how they can utilize AI to transform their organizations and industries while introducing them to the concept of infectious innovation and the five steps they can take to bring their ideas to life. All the while, he retains avid engagement from the audience for the duration of his presentation with various interactive elements, including real-time video responses from actual attendees.
While at Google and Meta, Tedjamulia recognized that trust in advertising was declining as people struggled to discern between what was true and fake. This inspired him to lean into his entrepreneurial roots and create VideoPeel, the leading video survey platform that has enabled brands to remotely capture the real experiences people are having with their products and services. He not only founded the company, but he also led the vision to secure funding and more than 10x growth. He refers back to what has worked (and what hasn’t) in his own experiences building technologies that are changing how we interact with the world around us, developing a competitive advantage, leading high-performance teams, managing boards and investors, and rebuilding culture to coach leaders and businesses across industries on how to level up these aspects in their own organizations.
Driven by the desire to help leaders and businesses overcome “possibility blindness,” Tedjamulia founded the Discover Possible Institute, which is defined by its groundbreaking research and consulting services that leverage AI to unlock creativity, growth, and innovation. His methodologies have transformed leaders at top companies, including Meta, Google, Salesforce, Walmart, Amazon, Ford, Dell, and LinkedIn. His forthcoming book, Discover Possible: The 5 Steps to Overcome Possibility Blindness, encapsulates this commitment to unlocking potential in humans and organizations alike. His work has been featured in leading publications such as Fortune, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, CBS News, and Business Insider for its fundamental impact on industries and his forward-thinking approach to leadership and personal growth.

Rebecca Cai

Chief Data Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawai’i

Rebecca most recently served as the Chief Data Officer for New York State’s Office of Information Technology Services and has 24 years of digital, data, analytics, and decision intelligence experience in the private sector. She holds an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

Project Manager, Hawaii School Facilities Authority  

Brian has served Hawaiʻi since 2007 through Safe Routes to Schools, Kailua Urban Design Task Force, Kaʻōhao Public Charter School governing board, and most recently as a Project Manager for the Hawaiʻi Department of Education Facilities Development Branch. Brian developed expertise on schools and housing as a designer, constructor, and manager since earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.

Kira Chuchom

Chief Data Officer, Office of the Mayor and Managing Director, City and County of Honolulu

Stephen Courtney

Deputy Director, Dept of Information Technology, City and County of Honolulu

Stephen Courtney was appointed as Deputy Director for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Information Technology (DIT) in February 2021. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the department which delivers Information Technology (IT) services to Honolulu’s residents, businesses, employees, and visitors as well as other City departments. The DIT performs application development with the latest languages, network design and engineering for data, video, VoIP, teleconferencing, and radio systems, cybersecurity and infrastructure support, maintenance of multiple data centers 24/7, and the running of Drivers License/Motor Vehicle Registration and Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
He was also appointed as a board member to the Hawai‘i 911 Board in May 2022 where he performs administration of the 911 Fund.
He previously worked in IT with the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense contracts for over 35 years while in the Washington DC area. Stephen holds a BS Electrical Engineering degree from Drexel University and MBA-Finance from American University.

Eyal Darmon

Data and AI Lead, North America, Accenture

Sandra Furuto

Director of Data Governance and Operations, University of Hawaii

Brad Genson

Managing Director, Data and AI, Accenture

Nadia Hansen

Digital Transformative Executive | Global Public Sector, Salesforce

Nadia Hansen is the former Chief Information Officer for Clark County, Las Vegas, where they led award-winning technology initiatives to modernize government services and improve the lives of over 2 million residents. Today, Nadia serves as the Global Go-to-Market Lead for State and Local Government at Salesforce, helping cities and counties around the world harness emerging technologies like AI to build smarter, more connected communities. With a deep passion for public service and innovation, Nadia brings a powerful perspective on the future of government in the digital age.

Torrie Inouye

State of Hawaii Data Task Force Member

Torrie Inouye, Executive Vice President, Chief Data Officer at Bank of Hawai‘i, is a visionary leader who was honored as one of Hawaii Business magazine’s “20 for the Next 20” for 2024. With an economics degree from Stanford University and extensive experience in data and analytics, Torrie has transformed the bank's data strategy, driving significant advancements by leveraging data to solve business problems and create opportunities. Her leadership has fostered a culture of innovation and continuous learning, inspiring her teams to excel. Prior to joining Bank of Hawai‘i, Torrie held key roles at Intuit, Union Bank, and National Funding. Torrie’s commitment to excellence and community is further exemplified by her role as Treasurer on the board of PBS Hawai‘i.

Major Mike Lambert

Director, Department of Law Enforcement, State of Hawaii

Dr. Thomas Lee

State of Hawaii Data Task Force Member

Thomas works with partners to strengthen how government and government data integrate with the community to address pressing challenges, and identifies opportunities for HDC to provide data strategy and capacity support to partners seeking to expand government data utilization and sharing. Thomas currently is a member of the State Data Task Force and is a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Grounded in Epidemiology and Public Health, Thomas previously served as faculty at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa where his research focused on COVID-19 epidemiology, modeling, and data utilization. Thomas also supported COVID-19 operations across the Pacific as an Army Reservist as the lead COVID-19 modeler and forecaster for the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency from April through July, 2020. Raised in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Thomas received his PhD and MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the University of Notre Dame, and is a graduate of Punahou School.

Daniel Liu

Head of Customer Engineering, Google Public Sector West

Daniel Liu leads a team of Customer Engineers at Google who partner with state and local governments and higher education to develop and implement innovative technology solutions. A recognized authority on databases and AI, he is a published author and frequent speaker at industry conferences worldwide, sharing his expertise with organizations seeking to leverage technology for a strategic advantage. His contributions to the field have earned him accolades such as the SELECT Editorial Award for Best Article (2001), recognition as OTN Architect of the Week (2004), and the Ken Jacobs Award (2017).
Prior to Google, Daniel held key leadership positions at Oracle and First American, where he spearheaded the creation of one of North America's largest and most complex database environments. His deep technical expertise and commitment to public sector innovation make him a valuable resource for organizations navigating the evolving technology landscape.

Liese Miller

Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology

John Pacheco

Management Analyst, Planning and Development, Honolulu Fire Department

John Pacheco is a Management Analyst at the Honolulu Fire Department whose expertise in predictive analytics and decision intelligence drives smarter emergency response. He leverages SQL-driven pipelines to integrate incident data from various systems into unified Power BI datasets for new decision intelligence insights. His previous role in large scale predictive analysis for call centers with Certified Languages International has been a foundation for real-time forecasting of incident volumes, operational performance, and technological feasibility in the fire service. He also integrates ArcGIS feature services with Power BI to map response hotspots for both internal and public stakeholders.

Steve Sakamoto

Chief, Health Information Systems Office, Department of Health, State of Hawaii

Steve Sakamoto is the Chief of the Health Information Systems Office at the Hawaii Department of Health.  In this role he provides visionary leadership and oversight for the information systems and technology, coordinating department-wide IT projects across multiple administrations for critical public health initiatives.  He is a senior-level individual with IT experience encompassing technical, operational, business, management, and leadership skills.  His expertise spans a wide range of areas including cloud and mobile computing, project management, data management, enterprise SOA, artificial intelligence, and data security.
Prior to working at the State, he held key IT positions at Aloha Airlines, Inc., where he demonstrated his proficiency in infrastructure management, network design, system integration, and project management.  Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Computer Science from the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Christine Maii Sakuda

Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii

State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and administrator of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) Christine Maii Sakuda is the State’s first female CIO of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
Sakuda has more than 25 years of experience in leading enterprise-level IT initiatives including leading community IT systems development, managing stakeholder relations, and collaborating with IT vendors to implement a range of technology modernization projects.
Sakuda served as the first executive director of Transform Hawaii Government (THG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to catalyzing the modernization of public services through people, processes, and technology. Prior to THG, she also served as the Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Health Information Exchange (HHIE), where she led efforts to help healthcare providers implement electronic health records and further implement a statewide health information exchange that enabled local healthcare providers to efficiently and securely share patients’ health information across a network of different medical records systems.
In addition, Sakuda is an Omidyar Fellow, is an Executive Committee Member of the TRUE Initiative and has served as Vice Chair of the State’s Information Technology Steering Committee. A graduate of ‘Iolani School, Sakuda received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Santa Clara University and later earned a Japan-focused Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Jason Samala

Deputy Fire Chief, Honolulu Fire Department

Steve Towns

Vice President of Content Strategy, e.Republic

Steve Towns is vice president of content strategy for e.Republic, parent company of Government Technology and the Center for Digital Government. He is the former editor of Government Technology and has spent more than 25 years covering technology in the state and local government market.
Steve joined e.Republic in 1996. During his tenure, e.Republic’s print and electronic media have received many awards for editorial excellence, including “Magazine of the Year” from ASBPE for Emergency Management in 2013, “Best New Web Site” from ASBPE for emergencymgmt.com in 2009, ”Best Overall Publication” at the Maggie awards for Government Technology in 2008 and “Magazine of the Year” from ASBPE for Public CIO in 2007.

Garret Yoshimi

VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer University of Hawaii

The Office of the VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer provides systemwide leadership for information technology systems and services, and leads Information Technology Services (ITS). ITS is comprised of Academic Technologies, Administrative Services, Client Service and Operations Center (CSOC), Cyberinfrastructure, Enterprise Systems, Information Security, and Technology Infrastructure.
Garret T. Yoshimi is the vice president for information technology and chief information officer (VPIT/CIO). He provides executive leadership in collaboratively setting forth the overall vision, goals, strategies and plans for the effective and appropriate use of information technologies to advance the UH System.
Yoshimi brings over 35 years of information technology experience in both the public and private sectors. A native of Honolulu, Yoshimi earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and a graduate certificate in telecommunications and information resource management from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

Yifan Zhao

Lead Data Scientist, eWorld Enterprise Solutions

Yifan Zhao is the lead data scientist for the data science and AI team at eWorld Enterprise Solutions. At eWorld, he commits to leverage data science and agentic AI advancements for various social benefits and child support efforts to help more people to thrive and prosper with the intelligence and efficiency improvement that AI brings into life. Before joining eWorld, Yifan worked as a senior data scientist at LexisNexis. He mainly focused on the application of agentic AI in drafting law documents with RAG, intelligent handoff, and agentic drafting. Yifan received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from North Carolina State University in 2023 and his M.S. degree in Applied Mathematics from University of Houston in 2018.

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Agenda

Wednesday, May 14
7:45 am Hawaii	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Pi’inaio Ballroom Foyer
8:45 am Hawaii	Welcome Pi’inaio Ballroom
8:50 am Hawaii	Opening Remarks Pi’inaio Ballroom Rebecca Cai, Chief Data Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services State of Hawaii Christine Maii Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii
9:00 am Hawaii	Keynote - Unlocking Possibilities: Data & AI for Transformation Pi’inaio Ballroom Join Patrick Tedjamulia, founder of VideoPeel and renowned data and AI strategist, for an inspiring session on how to unlock the next wave of possibilities with data and artificial intelligence. Public sector organizations often have vast amounts of data and access to cutting-edge AI technology but face challenges in navigating the overwhelming potential and determining how to actualize it. Drawing from his experience at global brands such as Meta and Google, and innovative startups, Patrick will share practical insights on how to discover what's possible for your organization, focus your efforts, harness AI to drive transformation, and turn possibilities into meaningful outcomes. Patrick Tedjamulia, Founder, VideoPeel and Discover Possible Growth Agency
10:00 am Hawaii	General Session - State of Hawaii Data Task Force and AI Guidelines Update Pi’inaio Ballroom In this session you will hear the latest from the Hawaii Data Task Force and Office of Enterprise Technology Services on their Data and AI Guidance for the state of Hawaii. Moderator: Rebecca Cai, Chief Data Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii Dr. Thomas Lee, State of Hawaii Data Task Force Member Torrie Inouye, State of Hawaii Data Task Force Member Steve Sakamoto, Chief, Health Information Systems Office, Department of Health, State of Hawaii
10:45 am Hawaii	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Pi’inaio Ballroom Foyer
11:15 am Hawaii	Concurrent Sessions From Data to Decisions: Lessons from Hawaii and Beyond Palolo Room Recent disasters have underscored the vital role of data and AI in strengthening emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This session will examine key takeaways from Hawaii and other states, highlighting how predictive analytics, real-time data, and AI-driven decision-making can enhance disaster resilience. Join us to discover best practices for integrating AI into emergency management, improving coordination, and leveraging data-driven strategies to safeguard communities and save lives. Moderator: Liese Miller, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology Craig Clouet, Data Scientist, Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia Brad Genson, Managing Director, Data and AI, Accenture Bill Kehoe, Director and State Chief Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Workforce Development: Preparing Government for the Future Makiki Room AI and data analytics are reshaping workforce development, helping governments better anticipate needs, upskill employees, and strengthen talent pipelines. Join us to learn how to leverage predictive analytics, AI-driven training, and data insights to address skills gaps, improve hiring strategies, and build a more agile, future-ready workforce. Moderator: Steve Towns, VP of Content Strategy, Government Technology Stephen Courtney, Deputy Director, Dept of Information Technology, City and County of Honolulu Nadia Hansen, Digital Transformative Executive \| Global Public Sector, Salesforce Garret Yoshimi, VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, University of Hawaii
12:15 pm Hawaii	Lunch Pi’inaio Ballroom
1:00 pm Hawaii	General Session - Maximize Efficiency with Responsible and Ethical Use of Data and AI Pi’inaio Ballroom As government embraces AI and data-driven decision-making, strong governance is critical to ensuring efficiency, security, and public trust. This session will explore best practices for ethical AI adoption, data protection, risk management, and compliance with evolving regulations. Join us and learn how to implement governance frameworks that enhance operational effectiveness while safeguarding privacy and maintaining transparency in AI-enabled government services. Moderator: Derek Vale, Chief Data Officer & Data Modernization Director, Health Data & Informatics Office, Department of Health, State of Hawaii Kira Chuchom, Chief Data Officer, Office of the Mayor and Managing Director, City and County of Honolulu Sandra Furuto, Director of Data Governance and Operations, University of Hawaii Daniel Liu, Head of Customer Engineering, US State & Local Government and Education, Google Yifan Zhao, Lead Data Scientist, eWorld Enterprise Solutions
1:45 pm Hawaii	General Session - Enhancing Citizen Services with AI Agents Pi’inaio Ballroom AI-powered virtual agents are revolutionizing government services, making interactions faster, more efficient, and citizen-focused. This session will highlight how government is using AI to automate processes, provide 24/7 assistance, and personalize services. Join us to discuss how AI-driven solutions improve accessibility, streamlining operations, and building public trust. Moderator: Dean Hazama, Deputy Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaii Eyal Darmon, Data and AI Lead, North America, Accenture Major Mike Lambert, Director, Department of Law Enforcement, State of Hawaii Jason Samala, Deputy Fire Chief, Honolulu Fire Department Phan Sirivattha, Technology Officer, Med-QUEST Division, Department of Human Services, State of Hawaii
2:30 pm Hawaii	Networking Break in Exhibit Area Pi’inaio Ballroom Foyer
2:55 pm Hawaii	Concurrent Sessions Decision Intelligence: Leveraging Predictive Analytics for Smarter Government Palolo Room Decision intelligence combines data, AI, and predictive analytics to help governments make faster, more informed choices. By building strong data pipelines and integrating diverse data sources, agencies can enhance decision-making in areas like public safety, resource management, and service delivery. Join us for this session to discover how predictive analytics and AI-driven insights are improving emergency response, optimizing operations, and enabling more proactive governance. Moderator: Steve Towns, VP of Content Strategy, Government Technology Nadia Hansen, Digital Transformative Executive \| Global Public Sector, Salesforce Jonathan Johnson, Integration Software Architect, Health Data & Informatics Office, Department of Health, State of Hawaii John Pacheco, Data Management Analyst, Honolulu Fire Department Eugene Tian, Chief Economist, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii Chris Yunker, Managing Director, Resilience, Clean Transportation, and Analytics (RCA), Hawaii State Energy Office Mapping the Future: Geospatial Data for Effective Governance Makiki Room Geospatial data is transforming how government makes informed policy decisions, from urban planning to emergency response. In this session we’ll explore how AI-powered mapping, real-time location analytics, and geographic information systems (GIS) can drive smarter, data-driven governance. Attendees will learn strategies and best practices for leveraging geospatial insights to improve public services, enhance disaster preparedness, and optimize resources. Moderator: Arthur Buto, Statewide GIS Manager, Planning and Sustainable Devt, Dept of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii Brian Canevari, Project Manager, Hawaii School Facilities Authority Craig Clouet, Data Scientist, Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii Ryan Kanakaʻole, First Deputy, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii Dane Wicker, Deputy Director, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii
3:55 pm Hawaii	Short Break Please proceed to the general sessions.
4:10 pm Hawaii	General Session - The Future of Data and AI in Hawaii: What Lies Ahead? Pi’inaio Ballroom As AI and data-driven initiatives evolve in Hawaii, what can you expect next? In this closing session we will highlight upcoming legislation, key policy priorities, and the innovations shaping the future of AI-powered governance. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how Hawaii can continue to leverage AI and data to drive workforce development, enhance public services, improve efficiency, and more - while ensuring responsible and meaningful progress in the years ahead! Moderator: Liese Miller, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology Rebecca Cai, Chief Data Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii Christine Maii Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii Garret Yoshimi, VP for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, University of Hawaii
4:55 pm Hawaii	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Pi’inaio Ballroom Foyer Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
5:30 pm Hawaii	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

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100 Holomoana Street
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Planning Committee

Representatives

Brandon Asuka
Executive Officer
Department of Law Enforcement
State of Hawaii

Arthur Buto
Statewide GIS Manager
Planning and Sustainable Development
HI Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Rebecca Cai
Chief Data Officer
Office of Enterprise Technology Services
State of Hawaii

Darren Cantrill
Information Systems Manager
Department of Transportation
State of Hawaii

Mark Choi
Enterprise Officer
Department of Human Services
State of Hawaii

Kira Chuchom
Chief Data Officer
Office of the Mayor and Managing Director
City & County of Honolulu

Sandra Furuto
Director of Data Governance and Operations
University of Hawaii

James Gonser
Senior Communications Manager
Office of Enterprise Technology Services
State of Hawaii

Vince Hoang
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Enterprise Technology Services
State of Hawaii

Juha Kauhanen
Business Architect
Department of Accounting & General Services
State of Hawaii

Arnold Kishi
Senior Advisor
Office of Enterprise Technology Services
State of Hawaii

Henderson Nuuhiwa
Chief Information Officer
Board of Water Supply
City & County of Honolulu

Antonio Querubin
Chief Information Officer
Department of Defense
State of Hawaii

Steve Sakamoto
Health Information Systems Officer
Department of Health
State of Hawaii

Christine Sakuda
State Chief Information Officer
Office of Enterprise Technology Services
State of Hawaii

Ryan Shimamura
Chief Information Officer
Department of Human Services
State of Hawaii

Eugene Tian
Chief Economist
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
State of Hawaii

Derek Vale
Chief Data Officer
Department of Health
State of Hawaii

Judy Yamada
Information Technology Manager
Department of Public Safety
State of Hawaii

Bennett Yap
IT Specialist VI
Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
State of Hawaii

Garret Yoshimi
Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
University of Hawaii, Information Technology Services
State of Hawaii