D.C. to Hawaii: A Short History of the Pacific Century Fellows
An Interview with Mufi Hannemann
The Pacific Century Fellows program has its roots in Washington, D.C. in the White House Fellows, a program created by Common Cause founder John Gardner and initiated during the term of President Lyndon Johnson. Gardner wanted to give young Americans an opportunity to work in D.C. for the government for a year, while also attending a special educational program. Mufi Hannemann, a prominent political and public service figure in Hawaii, was a White House Fellow in 1983-4, assigned to work for George Bush in the Office of the Vice President of the United States during the Reagan Administration.
What made you want to start a leadership development program in Hawaii?
The White House Fellows was a great program. We met a lot of the movers and shakers in and around the Capitol, we took trips to different American cities, and our class went on a major foreign trip to the Middle East. After I went through it, I wanted to do something similar in Hawaii. One of the main ideas behind the program is to serve your community, to take what you learn and give back, and I thought this would be a good way to give something back.
How did you go about developing it?
I brainstormed the idea with another former White House Fellow, Tom Leppert, who was then CEO of Castle & Cooke, and Spenser Johnson, author of the best-sellers The One Minute Manager and Who Moved My Cheese?. I also consulted with Larry Fuller, who was then publisher of the Honolulu Advertiser and now publishes Pacific Business News. His familiarity with leadership programs throughout the U.S. helped us learn that, although Hawaii had a few narrowly-focused programs, it had no broad-based leadership development program. After we did the research, Trudi Saito, the executive director of the PCF Program, helped me form the Fund for the Pacific Century, a non-profit organization securing grants and contributions to implement this program. The Fund also provides scholarships and grants for teachers and students, but the Pacific Century Fellows is its centerpiece project.
Was fundraising difficult?
It was a very positive experience. Everyone we talked to thought it was a great idea, even if they couldn't help us financially. No one said it was a bad idea or that you're duplicating what somebody else is doing. That was encouraging. It told me that I was on the right track and should continue to pursue it.
How did you organize the Hawaii program?
In 1995, the Fund for the Pacific Century was incorporated and was granted tax-exempt status as a charitable, non-profit organization. The following year, we set about forming criteria for selection, putting together the selection process, and finally recruiting people for the program. Every year we look for a few men and women in their mid-20s to early 40s, from all the islands -- not just Oahu -- and all walks of life, including the military. Some people said, "If your idea is to form a cadre of young leaders who are committed to contributing to Hawaii, military folks are not really considered long-term residents." But my feeling was that although military personnel may come and go, the military itself will always be a part of Hawaii. And a lot of military are choosing to retire in Hawaii. I feel that we short change the program if we don't allow our Fellows to be exposed to people with military backgrounds.
What are your criteria for selection?
Applicants should possess strong leadership qualities in their professional, volunteer or civic activities. The selection committee considers education, current careers, special achievements, community involvement, communication skills and strength of character. Applicants are considered by 24 volunteer judges. Each candidate must be voted in unanimously. We try to select a diverse group with people from many different professions, all ethnic groups, and all age groups. A class with more than 30 Fellows is difficult to manage, so we need to be selective. Two things are required of every applicant: you must be available for a personal interview and for the opening day retreat. You can miss one of the subsequent days, but those two dates are required. You are judged by a written application, a personal interview, and your group behavior. We have a group luncheon where the judges have an opportunity to observe the applicants in a social situation.
What is the format of the program?
We begin every class with an opening retreat where we tell the Fellows we want them to broaden their horizons, to go beyond the day-to-day life of being a banker, educator, health care provider, tourism employee, non-profit organization worker, government official or small business person. We bring in stimulating speakers: we have had Spenser Johnson, David Heenan and Kent Keith, for example. Then we ask the Fellows to identify the nine or ten issues they would like to spend their once-a-month sessions on. We call them "days" -- military day, environment day, economic development day, agriculture day and so forth. Once a month the Fellows are required to attend these all-day sessions. We also do optional exercises, "gee-whiz experiences" such as riding in a Trident nuclear submarine, hiking on top of Mount Kaala, or meeting with prominent people. And every class has a chance to go to a Neighbor Island of their choice. Finally, we have a graduation ceremony, where we invite the Fellows, their employers and our sponsors, and we show a video featuring highlights of the year.
Are there any post-graduate activities that you plan?
Now that we have had six years of Fellows program graduates, we are beginning to develop traditions. At least once a year we have a function that brings in the Fellows from all the classes. The classes are also encouraged to get together and meet once a month on their own. And, of course, there is our Junior Pacific Century Fellows Program.
So you feel that the program doesn't really end when the year is over?
Definitely. In addition to the immediate experience, there are long-lasting, practical advantages. Being a Fellow can help you by beginning lifelong personal and business relationships.You meet the future leaders of Hawaii. It's like a high school or college network.