This Month's Latest Tech News in Honolulu, HI - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

Honolulu's tech landscape in April 2025 is defined by heightened collaboration and innovation, driven by workforce development and entrepreneurial momentum. The University of Hawaiʻi's new initiative offers free AI and career skills training to its community, aiming to boost statewide job readiness with courses recognized by more than 1,500 employers.

Reinforcing this, UH has launched a systemwide Workforce Learning Community to better align education with Hawaii's tech, healthcare, and sustainability needs.

Honolulu's strong startup ecosystem, highlighted by top-ranked Blue Startups and accelerators like Elemental Excelerator, continues to anchor economic growth and innovation, with recent reports profiling major incubators and their impact: “Hawaii offers a robust range of startup incubators and accelerators across various industries.

Programs like Blue Startups and Elemental Excelerator provide mentorship, funding, and networking essential to growing startups.”

“Their approach to wireless irrigation has the potential to change how water is managed across entire landscapes. It's exciting to back a team like this and help them accelerate.” - Joey Katzen, Hawaii Angels

To learn more about incubation resources and recent funding trends, visit this comprehensive overview of startup incubators in Hawaii.

The region's tech future is further accelerated by initiatives such as the Hawaii Annual Code Challenge, providing professional development, AI workshops, and real-world coding projects for aspiring innovators.

The Navy's Sentiment and Topic Analysis for Reliable Supply (STARS) Project is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to optimize military supply chains by enhancing the accuracy and reliability of contractor performance assessments.

Developed in collaboration with Virginia Tech and funded by the Naval Engineering Education Consortium, this three-year initiative leverages large language models (LLMs) for advanced sentiment analysis, automatically detecting inconsistencies between narrative feedback and numerical scores to support more objective, data-driven evaluations.

As Brett Davis, Department Head of Supplier Quality and Logistics IT Systems at the Naval Sea Logistics Center, explained,

"The goal is to use AI-powered sentiment analysis to better understand the meaning behind narrative text in contractor assessments."

Currently in its research and development phase, the project faces challenges such as reviewer variability, difficulty detecting tone (including sarcasm), and the need to secure access to sensitive Navy data - prompting the use of public datasets as interim training material.

The STARS project's success could have broad implications for the Department of Defense and the federal government, aiding in supply chain risk management, improved statements of work, and more accurate predictions of contractor performance.

For a detailed overview of the project's structure and goals, visit the official STARS project announcement.

To see how the Department of Defense integrates emerging technologies like AI across its logistics and manufacturing pipelines, explore the DoD Manufacturing Technology Program.

For additional context about supply chain cybersecurity and the risks posed by AI-generated code dependencies, refer to the Infosecurity Magazine report on AI-hallucinated dependencies.

The STARS Project's innovations highlight Honolulu's contribution to next-generation military technology and resilient logistics.

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary marked Law Day 2025 by debuting KolokoloChat, an AI-powered chatbot designed to transform public access to court information and resources.

Available on the Judiciary's website, KolokoloChat provides 24/7 guided support, helping residents easily find answers regarding legal procedures, case status, and court services - improving accessibility for those unfamiliar with Hawaii's justice system.

This AI deployment aligns with a broader national trend, as state agencies across the U.S. are increasingly harnessing generative AI chatbots to expand digital public services, enhance user experience, and reduce barriers to government transparency, as highlighted in Route Fifty's analysis of generative AI in government services.

Hawaii's implementation is especially timely amid wide-ranging legislative efforts - at least 45 states proposed 550+ AI bills in 2025 - addressing responsible government AI use, consumer protections, and judicial applications, as outlined in the National Conference of State Legislatures' Artificial Intelligence 2025 Legislation Summary.

The chatbot also streamlines access to digital tools like eCourt Kokua, providing vital support for navigating complex case formats and court documents, as described on the Hawaiʻi Judiciary's eCourt Kokua portal.

As other states follow suit, Hawaii's KolokoloChat initiative sets a powerful example for using AI to foster inclusivity and efficiency in public-facing legal and civic processes.

Federal agencies are facing intensifying scrutiny over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative led by Elon Musk, as whistleblowers and investigators reveal the extent of AI-powered surveillance and data consolidation within the U.S. government.

In its first 100 days, DOGE reportedly merged sensitive personal data - including information from the IRS, Social Security, and Health and Human Services - into a centralized Homeland Security database, raising alarms about the ease of compiling extensive dossiers on U.S. residents New York Times analysis of DOGE's surveillance state.

Whistleblower accounts allege that DOGE teams accessed confidential labor records at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), disabled security monitoring, and created admin accounts with unrestricted permissions, coinciding with suspicious foreign login attempts and a surge in outgoing data NPR's whistleblower investigation on DOGE and NLRB security breaches.

Multiple sources confirm that AI tools actively seek anti-Trump or anti-Musk sentiment across agency communications, a practice denounced by privacy experts as both unprecedented and a potential violation of the Privacy Act.

The Economic Times further reports that DOGE's use of the Grok chatbot and encrypted messaging apps has fueled criticism over transparency, employee intimidation, and possible conflict of interest, with mass layoffs disproportionately affecting agencies like the EPA Economic Times coverage of DOGE's AI surveillance and federal workforce impact.

As one civil liberties lawyer warned,

“The infrastructure for turnkey totalitarianism is there for an administration willing to break the law.”

The table below summarizes the key timeline of events surrounding DOGE's data access and investigations:

Date/Period	Event Description
Early March 2025	DOGE engineers arrive at NLRB and request high-level access
March 3–4, 2025	Creation of admin accounts, disabling of logs, data transfer spike observed
March 4–17, 2025	Multiple blocked login attempts from Russian IP using new DOGE account credentials
April 15, 2025	Whistleblower disclosure and major media reporting on findings

The University of Hawaiʻi is dramatically expanding statewide access to free artificial intelligence and career skills training for its students, faculty, and staff across all 10 campuses through December 2027, thanks to a new partnership with Google and the National Association of System Heads.

This initiative enables the UH community to enroll in self-paced, online Coursera courses - such as Google's “AI Essentials” and nine Grow with Google Career Certificate programs in areas like data analytics, cybersecurity, and IT support - earning digital badges recognized by over 1,500 employers for enhanced job market competitiveness (University of Hawaiʻi News on Free AI and Career Skills Training).

The program involves 3,500 renewable course licenses, allowing for continuous enrollment and a robust focus on workforce readiness as outlined in UH's 2023–2029 Strategic Plan.

A UH faculty member acknowledged the practical skill value of the AI courses, while highlighting the need for

a more widespread critical discussion about ethical AI use

, and Garret Yoshimi, Vice President for IT, emphasized broad adoption and policy development for responsible AI use (Yahoo News and Star-Advertiser on UH's AI Training Initiatives).

According to program data, over 70% of Google certificate completers nationwide report gains like new jobs or promotions within six months. The courses provide credentials that can be showcased on professional profiles, directly connecting participants to a hiring consortium of more than 150 major companies.

As UH President Wendy Hensel remarked,

“This is a valuable opportunity for our community to develop in-demand AI skills and stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.”

For more on how this training is reshaping Hawaii's digital future and supporting career transitions, see the GovTech report on University of Hawaii's Google AI training partnership.

The TRUE Initiative is accelerating Hawaii's transformation into a tech-driven economy by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and hands-on technology adoption, creating pathways for local businesses to thrive and for residents to secure high-value jobs.

According to the organization,

“Our mission is to help Hawaii organizations not only improve their day-to-day operations by way of technology, but also create high value jobs for the local workforce.”

TRUE's community events, such as the Hawaii Cloud Innovation Summit, provide practical insights into using AI, cloud solutions, and workflow automation to address real-world challenges and drive productivity.

Their strategic efforts, highlighted in the 2023 End of Year Report, have showcased the positive impact of technology on wage growth and business sustainability statewide.

Key use cases range from AI-powered call centers and chatbot development to robotic process automation, demonstrating practical benefits across both public and private sectors.

The initiative's core focus areas are summarized below:

Focus Area	Examples
Artificial Intelligence	Call centers, marketing analytics
Cloud Solutions	Finance/accounting automation, infrastructure modernization
Automation	Robotic process automation, workflow optimization
Collaboration	Microsoft Teams, Google Cloud integrations

By connecting Hawaii's businesses with technology champions, training opportunities, and success stories, TRUE is delivering on its commitment to help the state's workforce gain digital skills and compete in a diversified economy.

For a deeper dive into these advancements, explore the TRUE Initiative's impact on Hawaii's tech ecosystem, review the TRUE Hawaii latest reports, or examine specific technology use cases revolutionizing Hawaii businesses.

The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu is grappling with a severe radiology staff shortage, resulting in an unprecedented backlog of over 8,000 imaging exams awaiting review - a situation that has intensified since a 2024 estimate identified a need for at least 10 additional radiologists statewide.

This bottleneck has delayed critical patient care, including surgeries and treatments, as highlighted by Hilton Raethel, President of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii:

“Whether it's a primary care physician and internist or a surgeon, if they cannot get the results back or there's a delay in getting the results then you can't schedule the surgery or the treatment.”

In response, Queen's Health Systems is prioritizing urgent cases, actively recruiting radiologists, and increasing reliance on teleradiology - where scans are read remotely - to help manage rising imaging volumes.

Automation is also making inroads; AI tools are being evaluated for their potential to screen scans and flag changes for human review, with Dr. Kelley Withy of the University of Hawaii noting that “AI is comparable to human readings and could be embraced more widely.” The crisis extends to radiologic technologists - with Hawaii facing a 39% increase in open positions since 2022 and a 24% vacancy rate among ultrasound techs, leaving about 160 positions unfilled.

The table below summarizes the current workforce gaps:

Role	Shortage (2024)	Percent Increase Since 2022
Radiologists	10+	N/A
Radiologic Technologists	160	39%
Ultrasound Technologists	49	24% vacancy rate

Despite competitive salaries and recruitment incentives, Hawaii's geographic isolation and cost of living exacerbate these shortages.

Learn more about the ongoing backlog and workforce crisis at Hawaii News Now's in-depth coverage of Hawaii radiology workforce shortage, further details on staff response and prioritization at Radiology Business's analysis of imaging backlog management, and the human impact on care delays at Health Imaging's feature on Hawaii radiologist shortage.

Hi Auto, an Israel-based startup specializing in AI-powered voice solutions for quick-service restaurant (QSR) drive-thrus, has raised $15 million in Series A funding to fuel its expansion across Hawaii and beyond.

The company's conversational AI platform automates the entire drive-thru ordering process - from greeting customers and confirming orders to dynamic upselling - delivering over 96% order accuracy and above 90% completion without human intervention.

As labor costs rise, especially with minimum wages hitting $20 an hour for fast-food workers in states like California, Hi Auto's technology is becoming a practical solution to boost efficiency and profitability for QSR operators, freeing staff for higher-value tasks such as food prep and guest engagement.

CEO Roy Baharav describes the technology as “an always-available drive-thru specialist - one that never calls in sick, delivers near-perfect accuracy, and can upsell consistently.”

“Our system offers a solution that can maintain high accuracy and consistency, even during peak times. This allows businesses to better manage their labor force and reduce reliance on human workers for routine tasks.”

Currently deployed by chains including Bojangles, Checkers & Rally's, and Burger King New Zealand, Hi Auto integrates seamlessly with existing POS and audio systems, while advanced noise-cancellation and contextual upselling deliver measurable ROI. The funding round, led by Delek Motors and the Zisapel Family, brings Hi Auto's total capital raised to $23 million and will support both technological enhancements and wider adoption.

For an in-depth look at Hi Auto's market position and technology, see Restaurant Technology News coverage of the funding round, The SaaS News' breakdown of the Series A details, and the official funding announcement by Hi Auto.

Metric	Value
Order Accuracy	96%+
Order Completion Rate	90%+
Total Funding	$23 million

Malama Kula, a Maui-based nonprofit formed in response to the devastating 2023 Kula fires, is pioneering wildfire prevention with the installation of AI-powered smoke detection cameras along Haleakala Highway.

These advanced cameras, funded by private donations and costing tens of thousands of dollars plus $13,000 annually for monitoring, can scan up to 20 miles in all directions and have already proven their worth - alerting residents and the Maui Fire Department to a brush fire within weeks of going online.

Early warnings helped avert further tragedy by enabling timely evacuations, though two structures and several vehicles were impacted in the incident. As Kyle Ellison, Malama Kula's president, put it,

“Having eyes, digital eyes on a fire in its earliest stages, in its infancy.”

This rapid-response approach stands in sharp contrast to ongoing government delays in deploying similar technology, with residents like Kari McCarthy expressing gratitude for Malama Kula's initiative over bureaucratic hurdles.

The organization's broader community recovery effort has engaged over 3,000 volunteers with nearly 27,000 hours dedicated to fire mitigation, green waste management, and disaster relief - a community-driven solution spotlighted at a recent wildfire recovery forum in Kīhei.

For a deeper look at the AI camera deployment and Malama Kula's grassroots approach, explore Hawaii News Now's in-depth coverage on AI wildfire detection in Kula by Hawaii News Now, find recovery event details at Maui Now's wildfire recovery announcement, and review the nonprofit's mission directly at Malama Kula's official website.

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has taken a pivotal role in advancing local tech innovation and workforce development, hosting two high-impact events at the Hawaii State Capitol on April 10, 2025.

These gatherings, as highlighted in the local news coverage on Hawaii tech events, were designed to strengthen the state's technology sector while addressing pressing talent needs across industries.

Upcoming initiatives throughout April and May - showcased on the Chamber's official event calendar for April and May 2025 - include networking opportunities, professional development for young professionals, and educational sessions focused on practical AI and the future of work.

Notably, the Chamber co-sponsors large-scale programs such as the Hawaiʻi Tech Days of Spring in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi and 15 industry organizations, connecting hundreds of students to real-world tech and cybersecurity careers.

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is hosting two impactful events aimed at strengthening the state's technology sector and addressing critical workforce needs.

For a complete picture of this dynamic ecosystem, explore the full Island News feature on Chamber-led tech initiatives in Honolulu, underscoring Honolulu's growing reputation as a beacon of innovation and collaboration for 2025.

AI stocks are powering a Wall Street rally, capturing the attention of Hawaii investors and signaling broader tech momentum in 2025. Alphabet led the surge after posting Q1 earnings well above expectations - $2.81 per share on $90.2 billion revenue - driven by robust advertising and a 28% jump in Google Cloud revenues.

CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the rollout of “Gemini 2.5, our most intelligent AI model, achieving breakthroughs in performance and laying a foundation for future innovation.”

This quarter was super exciting, as we rolled out Gemini 2.5, our most intelligent AI model, achieving breakthroughs in performance and laying a foundation for future innovation.

The company's aggressive 43% growth in tech infrastructure spending, alongside a new $70 billion buyback, boosted confidence despite ongoing antitrust scrutiny.

Similarly, Snowflake shares rose nearly 33% in six months, far outpacing sector averages, on the back of surging customer growth and a $3.6 billion revenue uptick, as detailed in a Snowflake stock performance analysis.

Meanwhile, ServiceNow gained on major analyst upgrades and newly expanded partnerships in AI, underlining the theme that generative AI and cloud adoption remain primary drivers for both earnings and investor sentiment (Alphabet Q1 rally coverage).

For a deeper dive into these trends and their impact on the broader market, explore the Alphabet and AI trade market update.

As major tech moves ripple from Wall Street to Hawaiʻi's Main Street, AI stocks look set to shape both portfolios and local innovation.

As Honolulu stands at the crossroads of digital progress, the city is embracing a future defined by AI, innovation, and inclusive opportunity. This spring's Hawaii Data & AI Summit 2025 highlights the city's public sector focus on harnessing artificial intelligence for smarter governance, emphasizing collaboration between IT professionals and industry leaders.

Complementing this momentum, the University of Hawaiʻi's Workforce Learning Community is advancing career readiness statewide by integrating AI into curricula and fostering partnerships across its ten campuses.

The city remains a nexus for tech entrepreneurship, with the EMW-East Meets West Hawaii Conference attracting hundreds of startups and major venture capitalists each year.

“Individuals from across the 10 campuses and our various learning centers working in the credit and non-credit, continuing education and other spaces are being brought together through this learning community to facilitate better communication and foster opportunities for productive collaboration,”

affirms Christine Beaule, UH System Director of Workforce Development.

To meet growing demand, Nucamp offers flexible bootcamp options - from Cybersecurity and Full Stack Development to Python and Job Hunting - with varied lengths and financing plans, plus scholarships for underrepresented and local groups (visit Nucamp's scholarship page for details).

As Hawaii invests in upskilling and innovation, Honolulu's tech landscape is poised for continued expansion, with a robust support system for both aspiring professionals and forward-looking organizations.