Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome and Opening Remarks

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

Keynote – The Power of Peculiar Thinking: Problem-Solving Through Creativity and Ingenuity

As a young graduate researcher, Dr. Sammy Ramsey looked at an age-old question “What’s happening to the honeybees?” through a new lens to make a breakthrough discovery that turned the field of bee research on its head. In this talk, Dr. Ramsey spurs audiences to think outside the box as he shares the story of what led him to connect a family member’s health issues back to his bee research to arrive at a powerful conclusion on the parasitic pandemic plaguing the honeybees. In this talk, he walks audiences through his process for using peculiar thinking that gets the brain processing ideas in new and unique ways and unlocks new outlets for pushing past stalls in thinking and productivity. The approach Dr. Ramsey shares gives people the freedom to dig deeper into all the ideas that they’re told are “too crazy” and “will never work” as they figure out how to tackle complex problems and innovate with impact.

Dr. Sammy Ramsey, Inspirational Changemaker in Science and Society; Cutting-Edge Communicator, Founder and Director of the Ramsey Research Foundation

Best of Hawaii IT Awards

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

From Possibility to Practice: AI Use Cases That Deliver Results

The promise of AI is clear, but where is it delivering real value today? This session showcases practical examples of how agencies are using AI to improve customer experience, streamline operations, and help employees do more with less. From virtual assistants and AI-assisted coding to emerging agentic AI capabilities, join us to hear what's working, the lessons learned along the way and what organizations should consider as they expand AI into new areas.

Modernization That Lasts: Prioritizing, Planning and Learning from Experience

Modernization is more than replacing aging technology - it requires thoughtful planning, realistic prioritization and a clear strategy for long-term success. As agencies balance legacy systems, workforce transitions, budget constraints and competing priorities, leaders must make difficult decisions about where to invest and how to deliver lasting value. In this session we examine lessons learned from modernization initiatives, discuss practical approaches to change management, project governance and resource planning, and explore strategies such as shared services and consolidation that can maximize impact while avoiding common pitfalls.

Preparing for the Unexpected: Risk, AI and Cyber Resilience

As agencies embrace AI and modernize critical systems, risk management must evolve alongside them. Cybersecurity remains a foundational component, but organizations should also be prepared to detect emerging threats, respond quickly when incidents occur and recover with confidence. This session explores practical strategies for building resilience – from strengthening cybersecurity and governance to preparing for AI-related risks, improving incident response and ensuring business continuity.

Lunch

Bites and Bytes - Transforming Rural Health: Hawaiʻi’s Digital Path to Stronger Communities

Hawaiʻi’s Rural Health Transformation Program is a major new initiative supported by $50 billion in federal funding over five years, giving our state powerful tools to strengthen rural healthcare access, modernize care delivery, expand workforce capacity, and accelerate technology innovation. This cooperative agreement with CMS helps Hawaiʻi advance telehealth, mobile care, data‑driven programs, and innovative service models that improve health outcomes for rural communities statewide. We invite you to join us at the Hawaiʻi Digital Government Summit to hear the latest updates on how this transformative investment is shaping Hawaiʻi’s rural health future.

Lorrin Kim, Director, Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Program, Office of the Governor

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Beyond Go-Live: Sustaining Modernization for the Future

Modernization doesn't end when a new system launches. The real challenge begins with maintaining, supporting and continuously improving modern platforms while still meeting day-to-day operational demands. This session will examine what comes after implementation - from building sustainable support models and developing the workforce needed to maintain modern systems to leveraging data, AI and emerging technologies for continued innovation. Hear how agencies are planning for the next phase of modernization and ensuring today's investments continue delivering value for years to come.

Future-Ready Teams: Developing the Workforce for AI and Modernization

AI and modernization are reshaping the public-sector workforce and redefining the skills needed to succeed. How can organizations prepare employees to move beyond managing technology to driving innovation, improving business processes and delivering better outcomes? This session explores strategies for recruiting emerging talent, developing AI fluency and business acumen, and building a workforce ready for what's next.

Putting People First: Designing Modern Government Around the Customer

Successful modernization begins with understanding the people you serve. From face-to-face engagement to digital feedback tools, agencies are finding new ways to capture the voice of the customer and use it to improve services. In this session we will highlight practical strategies for gathering meaningful feedback, measuring the customer experience, tracking how services are used and turning insights into better outcomes. Learn practical approaches to gathering, measuring and acting on customer feedback to build services that better meet the needs of the public.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

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

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – 25 Years of Digital Government 'The Eras Tour': How Technology, Policy and Public Service Evolved - and What Comes Next

In 2001, "digital government" meant moving paper forms to static PDF downloads. Today, it means real-time, AI-driven resident services, "whole-of-state" cybersecurity, and cloud-native infrastructure that never sleeps. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you to a high-energy retrospective and a forward-looking strategy session that tracks the evolution of the public sector’s digital DNA. We will walk through the "waves" of transformation we’ve navigated together and will provide a roadmap for the next quarter-century of innovation.

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.