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´«Ã½â€™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´«Ã½â€™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´«Ã½â€™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´«Ã½â€™s future machining and manufacturing workforce.”

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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´«Ã½â€™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´«Ã½â€™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.

A new era in workforce development began at Honolulu Community College on August 6, with the grand opening and blessing of the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility—a state-of-the-art training hub for ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s next generation of skilled trades professionals.

“This facility represents a new chapter for Honolulu Community College while preparing our students to be a part of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s future economy,” said Chancellor Karen C. Lee. “It’s an opportunity to connect education directly to high-paying, meaningful careers while supporting the needs of our community.”

The first cohort of eight trainees includes active-duty military, shipyard workers and local students. Over 15 weeks, they will receive hands-on instruction in inside-outside machining from training partner BG Workforce. Future courses will include welding and other advanced manufacturing skills.

The Advanced Manufacturing Program is a collaboration between Honolulu CC, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, and Kuʻi Hao, a strategic workforce initiative building ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s skilled trades pipeline to support advanced manufacturing and national defense readiness.

Critical hub

Â鶹´«Ã½ is a critical hub for U.S. Department of Defense operations in the Indo-Pacific region. IBAS invested more than $7 million in heavy equipment and tools.

“Strengthening the U.S. industrial base in the Indo-Pacific begins with a skilled, local workforce,” said Matthew Draper, IBAS technical director. “This facility gives Â鶹´«Ã½ the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed to support mission readiness, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and meet the demands of national security.”

High-demand careers

The opening event also drew more than 125 guests, including Gov. Josh Green, U.S. Sens Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey VanAntwerp of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific.

“Our mission at Kuʻi Hao connects defense, education and industry partners to create a training hub that will equip students, incumbent workers, active-duty military and veterans with the skills needed to excel in high-demand careers,” said Jennifer Sabas, co-executive director of Kuʻi Hao.

Applications for the next training cohort will open later this year.