HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) today announced Hawai‘i recently hosted the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) Summer Conference at the Ala Moana Hotel from June 13-16, 2023. AGAUS represents the senior leadership of the Army and Air National Guard of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). The annual conference brings these leaders together for a unique opportunity to discuss key issues and share ideas. 

“Hawai‘i has seen firsthand the importance of the National Guard as they have played key roles during emergency response to hurricanes, volcanoes, and, more recently, the COVID pandemic,” said John Reyes, senior vice president and chief MCI sales officer, Meet Hawai‘i. “As such, we were proud to host this conference and welcome AGAUS members to enjoy  Hawaiʻi’s natural wonders and spirit of aloha while they gathered to work together to continue to protect communities across our great country.”

The 54 members of the Adjutants General Association of the United States are collectively responsible for the training and readiness of nearly half of the Army’s combat power and more than a third of the Air Force’s aerial refueling, strategic lift and fighter capabilities.

“This conference provides us the ability to share experiences, knowledge, and expertise as we collectively address the challenges and opportunities of the future. The 2023 Summer Conference also provides us a unique opportunity to hear from the senior leaders of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its subordinate component commands,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, Hawai‘i Adjutant General. “We engaged in meaningful discussions, workshops, and presentations that will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of national defense, national security, and emergency management and disaster response.”

“Hawaiʻi was chosen as the site for the summer conference not only because of its reputation of delivering excellent hospitality, but also because it is where the headquarters for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Army Pacific are located. This affords conference attendees the opportunity to hear directly from military leadership regarding US efforts as they relate China’s efforts to displace US influence in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska Adjutant General and President of the Adjutants General Association of the United States. “Our number one goal was to leave better informed about military plans and assessments for the Indo-Pacific region as well as deepening our relationships with each other.”

The National Guard has provided America’s homeland defense for over 380 years. It has played a role in every war the nation has fought and is always at the forefront during state emergencies and disasters.

“On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, I extend my sincere appreciation to the organizers and participants for choosing Hawaiʻi as the venue for this esteemed event, and to the 54 Adjutants General for your extraordinary service and unwavering commitment to our nation's defense,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D., State of Hawai‘i. “We hope your time here was filled with rich discussions with actionable courses of action, meaningful connections, and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.”

For more information, visit www.hawaiiguard.com/agaus-conference-2023

About AGAUS

The association includes the adjutants general of the 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. AGAUS has an office at the National Guard Memorial, the NGAUS headquarters in Washington, D.C. More information about the group can be found at www.agaus.org. 

-pau-

Link to download images: https://finnpartners.box.com/s/u51dtrsaxkd5lki44rbrxjni3g9p6tow
Photo credit: State of Hawai‘i, Department of Defense

About HVCB

The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is a private non-profit organization contracted by the HawaiʻiTourism Authority (HTA) for global meetings, conventions, and incentives marketing and management services. HTA is the state’s agency responsible for representing The Hawaiian Islands around the world, and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, and visitor industry needs. For more information about the Hawaiian Islands, visit gohawaii.com or follow updates on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About Meet Hawaiʻi 
Meet Hawaiʻi is a collaboration of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) and the Hawaiʻi Convention Center (HCC) to reinforce the brand of the Hawaiian Islands as a world-class destination for global business meetings, conventions and incentive programs. The Global MCI efforts of the Meet Hawaiʻi team are overseen and funded by HTA, the State of Hawaiʻi’s agency responsible for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner. HTA works with the community and industry to Mālama Kuʻu Home – care for our beloved home. For information about Meet Hawaiʻi and the hosting of meetings, conventions and incentives, please visit MeetHawaii.com. 

Special note to media: The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Lāna‘i). However, HVCB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.