Transforming Hawaiʻi’s Economy Through Coordinated Technology
TRUE is a Hawaiʻi-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns technology adoption into local jobs, workforce capacity, and economic opportunity. We convene a committee of senior leaders from across Hawaiʻi’s industries to share technology solutions.
Why Coordination Matters Now
Economic diversification requires creating high-paying jobs in sectors that don’t yet exist at scale here. TRUE ensures Hawaiʻi adopts technology together. We connect enterprises, technology vendors, academia, and government so innovation becomes jobs, workforce capacity, and durable infrastructure.
Our Mission
TRUE is a Hawaiʻi-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that convenes cross-sector leaders to accelerate technology adoption and workforce development.
We exist to:
Create real-world technology use cases that demonstrate measurable impact
Strengthen local business capabilities through shared implementation knowledge
Expand economic opportunity across Hawaiʻi’s industries and communities
Help Hawaiʻi households increase earning potential through technology-enabled careers
THE TRUE WAY
What Makes TRUE Different
Most technology initiatives in Hawaiʻi operate independently where organizations invest separately, solve the same problems in isolation, and compete for the same scarce talent. TRUE takes a fundamentally different approach.
We Convene Partners
We bring together organizations that might otherwise compete or operate in silos (enterprises, government agencies, academic institutions, and technology vendors) creating a shared table where honest conversation drives better outcomes for everyone.
We Broker Partnerships
Because TRUE doesn’t sell technology or compete for contracts, we serve as an honest broker. Organizations trust us to facilitate partnerships that prioritize Hawaiʻi’s long-term interests.
We Create Playbooks
Every successful implementation becomes a reusable playbook. When one organization solves a technology challenge, every committee member benefits.
We Document Success
We capture what works (measurable outcomes, implementation lessons, and scalable models) and make it available for broad use. Every success story becomes a foundation that other organizations can build upon.
TRUE’s work is grounded in values that shape how we collaborate, lead, and build:
Lōkahi (Unity)
We move forward together, aligning diverse perspectives toward shared outcomes.
Mālama ʻāina (Care for the Land)
Technology must serve our place, our people, and future generations.
Kuleana (Responsibility)
Every member carries a shared responsibility for Hawaiʻi’s economic future.
ʻOhana (Family)
We build relationships of trust that extend beyond transactions.
Supporters
Our Leadership
TRUE is a nonprofit composed of a diverse group of change agents who serve as senior leaders in their industries and community. Committee membership represents:
Cross-sector leadership spanning private enterprise, government, academia, and technology
Strategic commitment to Hawaiʻi’s economic diversification and workforce development
Strategic commitment to Hawaiʻi’s economic diversification and workforce development
Our Board and Executive Leadership
Rick Hopfer
Chairman, TRUE
EVP & CIO, HMSA
Deena Tearney
Director, TRUE
Founder & CEO, Pacific Point, INc.
Bart Beavers
DIRECTOR, TRUE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, NEC Americas
Manny Edmondson
Treasurer, TRUE
evp & cto, Central Pacific Bank
William Kumagai
Director, TRUE
Executive Director, Transform Hawaiʻi Government
Peter Dooher
DIRECTOR, TRUE
SVP, DIGITAL STRATEGY, Servco pacific, inc.
Peter Dames
Director Emeritus, TRUE
President & ceo, servco pacific, inc.
Trung Lam
Director, TRUE
Executive Director & CEO, HTDC
Nicole Cacal
Executive Director
TRUE
Kelly J. Ueoka
Director, TRUE
President, Pacxa
Hong Phan
Director, TRUE
CEO, DataHouse Consulting
Our Committee
Leaders from Hawaii’s public and private sectors driving innovation forward
Bart Beavers
Business Development Manager
NEC Americas
Micah Ewing
Director, Innovation & IT Technical Architecture
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Robert Muellner
Sales Manager, State & Local Government
Salesforce
Jim Takatsuka
Account Manager - Commercial
Amazon Web Services
Jason Chang
CEO
the queen’s health systems
Rick Hopfer
EVP & CIO
HMSA
Allen Nguyen
Account Manager, SLED
Amazon Web Services
Deena Tearney
Founder & CEO
Pacific Point, Inc.
Jennifer Chun
Director, Tourism Research
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
William Kumagai
Executive Director
Transform Hawaiʻi Government
Hong Phan
CEO
Datahouse Consulting
Jimmy Tokioka
Director, DBEDT
State of Hawaiʻi
Peter Dames
President & CEO
SERVCO PACIFIC, INC.
Maiju Kutty
Partner, Director of Consulting Services
CGI, Inc.
Robert Redding
VP & Chief Technology Officer
HMSA
Kelly J. Ueoka
President
Pacxa
Ashley DeGeus
Director of Business Operations
TEKsystems
Trung Lam
Executive Director & CEO
HTDC
Christine Sakuda
CIO
State of Hawaiʻi – Enterprise Technology Services (ETS)
Wilhelmina van Beers
Associate Director, State of Hawaiʻi Client Account Lead
Accenture
Manny Edmondson
EVP & CTO
Central Pacific Bank
Peter Lewis
SVP & CIO
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Vassilis Syrmos
Interim Provost
University Of Hawaiʻi at mĀnoa
Chad Walton
Interim Vice President, Research & Innovation
University of Hawaiʻi at mānoa
IMPACT
Measurable Outcomes in 2025
TRUE’s impact is building a technology-enabled Hawaiʻi where organizations thrive, workers earn higher wages, and communities prosper through innovation and collaboration.
Hawaiʻi AI & Cloud Innovation Summit
Attendees
Registered
Major Sponsors
2029 Workforce Targets
Target 1: Cumulative New Jobs
Target 2: Annual Tech Placements
Target 3: Average Starting Salary
CASE STUDY
Homeless Care Coordination Pilot
Technology can serve Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable communities.
TRUE’s coordination of the Homeless Care Coordination Pilot with the Institute for Human Services demonstrated that values-centered technology adoption delivers both human impact and economic opportunity. The pilot created new roles in data stewardship, care coordination, and technical support, proving that technology adoption generates sustainable local employment alongside community benefit.
Results exceeded every goal:
1,044
New clients entered into the coordinated system (nearly 2x the original target)
1,307
Clients provided coordinated services (over 6x the original target)
273
Clients placed in temporary shelter (nearly 9x the original target)
25
Community engagements completed (119% of goal)
Join the Movement
TRUE exists because Hawaiʻi’s leaders believe collaboration creates better outcomes than working alone. If you’re ready to help shape what technology adoption looks like in our state, there’s a seat at the table.
We’re looking for:
Enterprise Leaders
Drive innovation, access shared implementation knowledge, and contribute to Hawaiʻi’s economic diversification.
Technology Partners
Demonstrate value in a trusted environment, build lasting relationships with Hawaiʻi’s top organizations, and co-create solutions.
Academic Institutions
Connect research to real-world application, build workforce pipelines, and shape curriculum that leads to employment.
Public-Sector Decision Makers
Connect research to real-world application, build workforce pipelines, and shape curriculum that leads to employment.
Ready to Participate?
Whether you’re an enterprise executive, a technology partner, a public sector decision-maker, or an academic leader, your expertise and commitment can help shape what comes next for our islands.