VIDEO: U.S. diplomatic expert says Hawaiʻi critical in global security efforts
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Glen S. Fukushima and moderator Shannon Dorsey from East-West Center
UH Mānoa students, faculty, staff and community members attend Fukushima's presentation.
Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/LD8
***VO script below for consideration***
A prominent philanthropist and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., shared insights on shifting national security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific during a presentation on March 25, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Glen S. Fukushima, a former U.S. diplomat, highlighted a need for more policymakers from the islands who have knowledge of the political landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.
Fukushima emphasized how national security in the region has changed over the past decade. He outlined key challenges for the U.S. in ensuring security in Asia, such as in maintaining consistent policy over time, implementing a coherent strategy and coordinating effectively with allies. He also stressed the need for more voices from Hawaiʻi who have real-world experience in Asia.
“I really would like Hawai’i 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.
Hawaiʻi, he noted, holds significant advantages in this area. “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.”
Vast expertise
UH Mānoa has long been recognized for its excellence in Asian and Pacific Islands studies. The UH Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs (CIPA), established in 2022 with congressional funding, serves as a think tank addressing security challenges and providing student development opportunities.
“When we did an inventory, we were surprised that in addition to our area experts , we have at our area centers are faculty across the campus, across disciplines with expertise in the Indo-Pacific,” said Petrice Flowers, director at CIPA.
Fukushima’s presentation was sponsored by the UH Mānoa Center for Japanese Studies, College of Social Sciences, Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and East-West Center.
More on Fukushima
Fukushima is vice chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and former Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan and China.
Link to video (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/LD8
B-ROLL: (54 seconds)
0:00-0:48 - Glen S. Fukushima speaking at presentation
0:48-0:54 - students walking at McCarthy Mall
(23 seconds) Glen S. Fukushima/Philanthropist, National security expert
“I really would like Hawai’i 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 US government who have had experience in Asia and who can speak and read Asian languages and have had real experience working in Asia.”
(14 seconds) Petrice Flowers/Director, UH Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs
“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.”
(18 seconds) Glen S. Fukushima/Philanthropist, National security expert
“Expertise advantage, there’s just alot that Hawaii has in terms of the University of Hawaiʻi, East-West Center and others that are experts in Asia. The third is diversity advantage because there are people of so many ethnic and racial and religious backgrounds here. I think it really represents the United States.”
VO SCRIPT
INTRO
Tonight, a critical discussion on national security took center stage at UH Mānoa.
VO
Leading expert Glen S. Fukushima says Hawaiʻi could play a bigger role in shaping U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific. Fukushima is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. He pointed out UH Mānoa’s deep expertise in Asian and Pacific studies, calling it a key resource for shaping future policymakers.
SOT
Glen S. Fukushima/Philanthropist, National security expert
<“I really would like Hawai’i 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 US government who have had experience in Asia and who can speak and read Asian languages and have had real experience working in Asia.”>
VO
The university’s Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs is leading research and discussions on global security.