Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in Honolulu, HI in 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Honolulu's Women in Tech Ecosystem
• Hawaii Women in Tech Community
• PTC Women
• CIO Council of Hawaii Women in IT Series
• Elemental Excelerator and Blue Startups Diversity Initiatives
• University of Hawaii at Manoa ICS and IT Leadership Program
• Hawaii Tech Week Wahine in Tech Tracks
• Piiku and Local Scholarship Pathways
• AnitaB.org Global Communities and Grace Hopper Celebration
• Girls Who Code Hawaii Clubs and Pathways
• Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business
• Conclusion and Call to Action
• Frequently Asked Questions

Hawaii Women in Tech Community

When the national Women Who Code chapter ceased operations, it created a vacuum that demanded a local solution. The response was Hawaiʻi Women in Tech (HWIT), formally established as a non-profit in 2025. This homegrown hub now serves as the bedrock of peer-to-peer power, with its Meetup community boasting over 500 members and an exceptional 4.9 out of 5 community rating.

HWIT’s value is its authentic, member-driven model. It provides what members describe as a "safe, supportive, and judgement-free space" where "new ideas and connections flourishing" in a "truly wonderful" atmosphere. Success is driven by "talk story" sessions and co-working days that foster deeper connections, moving beyond passive attendance to active co-creation of events like monthly "Wahine Pau Hana" mixers and AI leadership panels.

For deeper engagement, members volunteer to host sessions or join committees as HWIT scales its non-profit programs. The group’s "Professional Network" offers mid-to-senior level career support and serves as a primary channel where hiring managers from major local employers like Hawaiian Electric and Bank of Hawaiʻi share opportunities.

Ultimately, HWIT directly addresses the local "brain drain" challenge by creating a compelling, professional reason for talented women to build and advance their tech careers within the islands, proving that the most sustainable support is built from within.

PTC Women

While not a weekly meetup, PTC Women is a premier international force with deep roots in Honolulu, leveraging the islands' role as the crossroads of the Pacific. It hosts its flagship annual conference here every January, transforming the city into a global tech nexus. The Pacific Telecommunications Council’s 2026 "Week of Laulima" focused on empowering women in the connective tissues of tech - telecommunications, subsea cables, and digital infrastructure.

"The 2026 program featured panels and expert speakers focused on empowering women in telecom and tech." - Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) Leadership

Involvement requires a company pass or individual PTC membership, granting access to dedicated women’s leadership luncheons, mentorship sessions, and networking events with global delegates. This provides unparalleled access to C-suite leaders and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific, serving as a direct pipeline to understanding strategic projects in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure linked to entities like U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

The member value is transformative: it connects Honolulu-based professionals to the vast Asia-Pacific market, turning geographic isolation into a strategic advantage. This unique positioning opens doors to international project work and leadership roles that are critical to the local economy, ensuring island tech talent remains competitive on a global stage while bringing world-class insights back home.

CIO Council of Hawaii Women in IT Series

For women targeting executive leadership in Honolulu's interconnected tech landscape, the CIO Council of Hawaii offers a strategic vantage point. In partnership with firms like TEKsystems, the Council hosts high-caliber "Women in IT" panels that focus squarely on senior leadership and navigating industry-specific obstacles, rather than beginner-friendly networking.

These events feature local tech executives from major public and private sector employers. A recent forum highlighted leaders like Taryn Salmon and Christine Lanning sharing candid strategies for success in rapidly evolving industries. As noted by attendees, these gatherings foster a "vibrant networking mixer" atmosphere defined by "support, inclusion, and motivation," connecting senior IT managers, directors, and C-suite professionals.

To get involved, professionals should monitor the CIO Council's event page and partner announcements. Registration is typically required for these sponsored forums, which serve as a rare opportunity for strategic career navigation. The value lies in gaining direct insights on the path to CTO, CISO, or CIO roles within Hawaiʻi’s largest organizations, such as the State of Hawaiʻi and Queen's Health Systems.

This series directly provides a clear roadmap to executive leadership where local experience and relationships are paramount. It addresses the critical need for visible role models and aspirational pathways at the highest levels of Hawaiʻi's unique tech ecosystem.

Elemental Excelerator and Blue Startups Diversity Initiatives

For women building tech ventures in Honolulu, the city's leading accelerators provide essential fuel and infrastructure. Elemental Excelerator, a global leader in climate-tech based in Honolulu, and Blue Startups, focused on travel-tech and SaaS, are recognized among the top accelerators in Hawaii and actively prioritize funding and scaling diverse founding teams.

These organizations move beyond hosting events to making direct investments. Elemental’s portfolio includes women-led companies tackling decarbonization - a sector with immense relevance for local partners like Hawaiian Electric and the state's clean energy goals. Their work aligns with broader global efforts to empower women in climate tech.

Involvement comes through applying to their highly competitive programs or attending public demo days and workshops. The member value is substantial: access to seed funding, world-class mentorship, and pilot project opportunities with local corporates. This creates a proven pathway to scaling a business from Hawaiʻi, with networks specifically interested in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ultimately, these initiatives address a fundamental local challenge by providing the capital and ecosystem support to build high-growth tech companies in Hawaiʻi, offering a powerful alternative to relocating to Silicon Valley for funding and growth.

University of Hawaii at Manoa ICS and IT Leadership Program

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa serves a dual critical function: cultivating the next generation of tech talent and reskilling existing professionals. Its Information & Computer Sciences (ICS) Department is the foundational pipeline, hosting active women-in-STEM groups and faculty mentorship. Students can connect with advisors and join chapters of organizations like ACM-W, gaining a direct on-ramp to internships at major local employers.

For career transition or advancement, UH partners with Transform Hawaii Government on the application-based IT Leadership Program. This initiative is designed to cultivate tech leaders for state and local agencies, offering a structured, funded pathway into high-demand areas like cybersecurity and data science. It represents a vital public-sector career track with stable opportunities in defense and government tech.

The value proposition is clear for both groups. Students receive early industry exposure and mentorship, while professionals gain an affordable, local alternative to expensive mainland bootcamps. This systematic approach to building local talent is essential for filling the state's critical tech roles and is recognized through various university awards and pathways.

By creating clear educational and career bridges, these programs directly counter the "brain drain," providing compelling reasons for talented individuals to launch and advance their tech careers within the islands' unique ecosystem.

Hawaii Tech Week Wahine in Tech Tracks

Each September, the entire archipelago's tech community converges for Hawaii Tech Week (HTW), a premier 7-day event that serves as the ecosystem's annual festival. Within this convergence, the dedicated "Wahine in Tech" tracks act as a powerhouse of concentrated networking, learning, and visibility, featuring startup pitch competitions and keynote panels with leaders from sectors like health tech and defense.

The programming is designed for depth and connection. Topic deep-dives on AI and cybersecurity bring together experts, while sessions facilitate meaningful cross-sector interaction. As highlighted in coverage of women's leadership commentary for 2026, such forums are vital for sharing strategies and fostering supportive networks.

Involvement is accessible through various pass types - student, general, or VIP - to the main Hawaii Tech Week event. Ambitious professionals can also propose to speak on a panel, and entrepreneurs can apply to the pitch competition for significant local exposure.

The ultimate value is panoramic: it's the single best opportunity to see Honolulu's full tech spectrum - from startups and academia to defense, health, and tourism - and connect with hundreds of professionals at once. This intentional cross-pollination breaks down silos between the city's diverse tech verticals, fostering the integrated collaboration necessary for a thriving local economy.

Piiku and Local Scholarship Pathways

A persistent challenge in Hawaiʻi's tech economy is the "brain drain" - the exodus of homegrown talent to the mainland for greater opportunity. Organizations like Piʻiku explicitly counter this by building financial and social pathways for local students, especially from underrepresented groups, to stay and thrive. They address the critical barriers that often force departure through targeted workshop series, culturally-aware mentorship, and tech leadership grants.

These initiatives provide more than just funding; they offer community connection and guidance on navigating local corporate culture. This culturally-informed support helps individuals find fulfilling work that aligns with island values, making a career in Hawaiʻi's high-cost environment not just feasible but sustainable. As highlighted in research, such scholarship and grant pathways are fundamental to empowering diverse talent pools.

Involvement is a two-way street. Students and early-career professionals can apply for Piʻiku's workshops and grants. Established professionals, in turn, can volunteer as mentors or guest speakers, creating a sustainable cycle of support. This active participation directly shapes the next generation of local tech leaders.

The member value is profound: access to financial resources combined with a community dedicated to your success specifically within the islands. By tackling the root causes of brain drain - financial pressure and lack of local networks - Piʻiku and similar pathways ensure Honolulu's tech ecosystem can grow its own diverse leaders for the long term.

AnitaB.org Global Communities and Grace Hopper Celebration

For women in tech based in Honolulu, the global stage is accessible through AnitaB.org Global Communities. While no permanent local chapter exists, this virtual network provides a vital portal to international peers, resources, and the monumental Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), the world's largest gathering of women in tech. Participation is a strategic career move, with AnitaB.org’s documented mentorship and apprenticeship programs showing high promotion rates for participants.

The primary avenue for local involvement is the Grace Hopper Celebration scholarship application, typically opening early in the year. These scholarships help offset conference costs, making this career-changing event more accessible. Furthermore, local industry leaders like HMSA and Bank of Hawaii frequently sponsor groups of employees to attend, recognizing its value for talent development.

The member value is unparalleled in scale. Attending GHC provides access to a massive career expo with recruiters from top national and international firms, alongside cutting-edge technical sessions. It connects island-based professionals to a world of opportunity, ensuring they remain globally competitive.

This global engagement directly benefits the local community. Professionals return to Honolulu with expanded knowledge, inspiration, and a broader network, effectively bringing the world's best practices and connections back to enrich Hawaiʻi's own growing tech ecosystem.

Girls Who Code Hawaii Clubs and Pathways

Building a diverse tech ecosystem begins long before college or a first job. In Hawaiʻi, Girls Who Code (GWC) serves as this critical foundational pipeline, with 12 active clubs across the islands as of 2025. These clubs, often hosted in schools and libraries, provide the first point of contact and a supportive, all-female environment for young women considering technology.

The program's evolution is key to its impact. In 2026, GWC transitioned to a "Pathways" model that combines summer immersion programs with year-round, specialized tracks in growing fields like AI and cybersecurity. This structure provides sustained engagement and skill-building, moving beyond one-off workshops to create continuous learning journeys aligned with future industry needs.

Getting involved is straightforward. Students can find a local club via the Girls Who Code website. For professionals, volunteering as a club facilitator, speaker, or mentor for summer programs offers a direct way to shape the future workforce. These partnerships often involve local tech employers, creating early ties between students and the industry.

The long-term value addresses a core local challenge: inspiring local girls to see a viable and exciting future in tech in Hawaiʻi. By providing early, hands-on exposure and relatable role models, GWC helps ensure the local ecosystem can grow its own diverse leaders, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that benefits the entire community for years to come.

Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business

At the apex of local professional recognition sits the Pacific Business News (PBN) "Women Who Mean Business" award and network. This prestigious annual institution honors top executives across industries, consistently featuring leaders in tech-adjacent roles who drive innovation within Hawaiʻi's major organizations. The 2026 honorees included influential figures like Phyllis Freitas of Hawaiian Telcom, showcasing the depth of tech leadership in the islands.

Involvement in this elite circle occurs through nomination. Professionals can nominate a distinguished colleague - or be nominated - for the annual awards. Attendance at the subsequent awards luncheon is equally valuable, as it constitutes one of the largest professional gatherings of senior women leaders in the state, offering unparalleled access to a curated network of influence.

The member value is substantial and multifaceted. For honorees, the award provides significant visibility and cements their credibility as industry leaders. For all attendees, the event serves as both a masterclass in local business leadership and a unique opportunity to build relationships with potential mentors and sponsors at the highest level.

This network directly addresses a crucial local challenge by providing highly visible role models and aspirational pathways. It offers tangible proof that women can and do reach the pinnacle of leadership within Hawaiʻi’s unique tech and business landscape, inspiring the next generation to build their careers here.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The most vibrant potluck isn't judged by a single dish, but by the collective abundance and the spirit of sharing. Your journey in Honolulu's women in tech community mirrors this. As explored in expert commentary for 2026, long-term growth often comes from "looking side to side" to build powerful peer networks, rather than only looking upward for mentorship.

The richest connections and opportunities emerge when you bring your own experience and ambition to the tables set by these ten groups. Your path isn't about passively selecting from a pre-set menu, but deciding what unique insight or skill you will contribute. Start by joining a HWIT pau hana, then consider what you can offer at the next co-working day or panel discussion.

This ecosystem thrives precisely because its members chose to build it together, piece by shared piece. It leverages Honolulu's strategic advantages - from the Asia-Pacific bridge to the strong university pipeline - to create opportunities that are uniquely rooted in place. The community’s resilience after the closure of national chapters proves the power of homegrown, collaborative effort.

Your contribution is what the community is waiting for. Whether it's mentoring a student through Piʻiku, sharing expertise at Hawaii Tech Week, or simply showing up with curiosity at a networking event, you become part of the recipe. The potluck is abundant, and there’s always room for one more plate.

Frequently Asked Questions