Honolulu Community College welcomed Michael Cadenazzi, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, for a tour of its state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility, underscoring the college¡¯s expanding role in strengthening the nation¡¯s industrial base and Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s defense-aligned workforce pipeline. Cadenazzi was in Honolulu to attend the Honolulu Defense Forum in January.
The visit highlighted Honolulu CC¡¯s Advanced Manufacturing Training Program, launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense¡¯s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, the Chamber of Commerce Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s Military Affairs Council through the Kuʻi Hao Initiative, and BG Workforce. The program provides hands-on training in precision machining, fabrication and industrial manufacturing (skills essential to Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s maritime, defense and industrial sectors).
“We were incredibly honored by Assistant Secretary Cadenazzi¡¯s visit,” said Honolulu CC Chancellor, Karen C. Lee. “It reflects the true partnership that brought our Advanced Manufacturing Training Suite to life as we prepare Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s future machining and manufacturing workforce.”
Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s first dedicated training hub for advanced manufacturing
During the tour, Cadenazzi visited the college¡¯s cutting-edge machine shop, instructional labs and hands-on training suites, where faculty and students showcased class projects, industry-aligned equipment, and the program¡¯s growing capacity to meet regional and national workforce needs. The facility, which opened in 2025, serves as Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s first dedicated training hub for advanced manufacturing and supports a diverse cohort of trainees, including active-duty military personnel, shipyard workers and local students.
“Assistant Secretary Cadenazzi¡¯s visit affirmed the importance of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s role in strengthening the nation¡¯s defense industrial base,” said Pono Chong, program director for Kuʻi Hao. “Through partnerships like this with Honolulu Community College and IBAS, we are building real, job-ready pathways in advanced manufacturing that support military readiness, supply-chain resilience and long-term economic opportunity Â鶹´«Ã½.”
Honolulu CC¡¯s Advanced Manufacturing programs continue to evolve in response to industry demand, offering students hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies while supporting regional and national efforts to strengthen industrial capabilities.
