As I wound my way along the freshly paved roads of Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Gardens, I found myself growing increasingly excited for my first official event as HAPI’s Executive Director. Nestled beneath the dramatic Ko‘olau Mountains, the tranquil setting provided a fitting backdrop for the 21st Superintendent Conference, where nearly 100 public works and transportation professionals gathered to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen relationships.
The conference was co-chaired by Tyler Sugihara of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Guohui Zhang of the Hawaii Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), whose leadership helped bring the event back after its seven-year hiatus. Tyler’s involvement was especially meaningful, as he is retiring later this year after a distinguished career in public service. The conference served not only as an opportunity to reconnect colleagues and share knowledge, but also as a fitting reflection of the collaborative spirit that leaders like Tyler have helped foster throughout Hawaii’s transportation community. Attendees took the opportunity to thank Tyler for his years of leadership and service to Hawaii’s transportation community.
The event brought together representatives from HDOT, Federal Highway Administration, City and County of Honolulu, the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the American Public Works Association, and industry partners. Each organization contributed a presentation, creating a valuable forum for networking and information sharing among professionals who often face similar challenges but may not have many opportunities to meet one another.
As a first-time attendee, I expected to learn about projects, budgets, and technical initiatives. Those topics were certainly discussed. A panel discussion explored emerging asset management strategies as agencies search for innovative ways to maintain and improve critical infrastructure. Workforce challenges were another common theme, with many agencies expressing concerns about employee recruitment and the succession planning needed to prepare the next generation of leaders.
What I did not expect was the emotional impact of the presentations describing agency responses to the recent Kona low events. Speaker after speaker shared stories of long hours, difficult decisions, and communities facing significant loss. Beyond the operational challenges, the presentations revealed the human side of public service—the weight carried by those tasked with helping communities recover, even when resources are limited and not everyone can be reached as quickly as they would like. Those accounts left a lasting impression on me and served as a powerful reminder of the dedication of Hawaii’s public service professionals.
HAPI was pleased to participate as both an exhibitor and presenter. Because so many attendees were new to the conference, Jon Young and I focused our presentation on HAPI’s educational and training opportunities and the resources available to support Hawaii’s transportation community. Throughout the day, many attendees stopped by the HAPI table to introduce themselves, learn more about the association, and share information about their agencies. The complimentary HAPI stress balls also proved surprisingly popular.
One of the most memorable moments of the conference occurred when Ashley Caro, LTAP Coordinator, presented Jon Young with a beautifully crafted lei in recognition of his support of LTAP over the past fifteen years. It was a thoughtful gesture that reflected the appreciation and sense of community that was evident throughout the event.
Industry participation was also strong. Their presence reinforced the value of bringing together agencies, academia, and industry partners to share knowledge and build relationships.
While the presentations were informative, the greatest value of the conference came from the conversations between sessions, during meals, and at the evening dinner. Attendees were welcoming, generous with their knowledge, and genuinely interested in learning from one another. I left the conference with a strong sense of community and common purpose.
The conference served as a reminder of why networking and information-sharing opportunities matter. When agencies are able to exchange best practices, lessons learned, and innovative ideas, the benefits extend far beyond a single conference. They strengthen the relationships and partnerships that ultimately help deliver safer, more reliable infrastructure for all of Hawaii’s communities.
For a first official event, it was an inspiring introduction to the people and organizations that care so deeply about Hawaii’s transportation system. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it and look forward to continuing the relationships that began there.
