New Summer Program to Propel Hawai’i Students into Intelligence and Cybersecurity Careers

In a bid to address the burgeoning demand for intelligence and cybersecurity professionals within the Department of Defense and local industries, the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I) has endorsed various educational programs designed to create career opportunities for students, professionals, and military personnel in Hawai‘i. Among these initiatives, the Academy for Hawai’i Intelligence Studies Summer Program stands out as a vital conduit for high school students to delve into national intelligence fields. Jairus Grove, Program Director of the Academy for Hawai’i Intelligence Studies, joined Living808 to share the details.

Launched in the summer of 2023, the Academy for Hawai’i Intelligence Studies Summer Program (AHI-SP) offers a unique educational experience to 30 rising juniors and seniors from public, private, and charter schools across the state. The four-week course, which is free of charge, allows students to earn college credits while gaining an in-depth understanding of national intelligence. Participants can also network with industry experts within Hawai’i’s robust defense sector.

“The need for such a program emerged from the critical demand for skilled professionals in IT, cybersecurity, data science, and intelligence in Hawai‘i,”  Jairus shared. “Our objective is to spark interest among high school students in these high-demand fields, encouraging them to pursue further education and careers locally.”

The program consists of three weeks of online learning followed by a one-week in-person capstone experience on the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa campus. Throughout the program, students are introduced to the basics of international relations and intelligence through simulations, games, networking events, and field trips.

Students interested in joining the 2024 cohort of the AHI-SP can apply online at http://hawaiip3i.org. The application deadline is May 10.