The Pacific Century Fellows Program (PCF) aims to unite Hawaiʻi’s emerging leaders from diverse professions and backgrounds in an endeavor to find innovative solutions to the state’s main problems and concerns.

PCF believes in the idea that everyone has something to contribute to the betterment of society, encouraging its fellows to express their ideas, experiences and manaʻo.

As a White House fellow in the 1980s, PCF Founder Mufi Hannemann wanted to incorporate a similar program here in the islands. Based on the White House Fellows Program, PCF seeks community-minded individuals in their late 20’s to early 40’s from all segments of the community, such as business, education, healthcare, government and more.

As a highly competitive program, PCF accepts about 25 to 30 candidates each year to assemble the year’s class. As a class, fellows begin the nine-month program with a two-day retreat. Then each month, the class gathers for an “education day” where fellows receive a behind-the-scenes look at Hawaiʻi’s different issues and working sectors, such as tourism, homelessness, agriculture and criminal justice.

From touring correctional facilities to engaging with army officials onboard a military ship, fellows gain a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi’s issues. With a newfound outlook, fellows learn to engage in active citizenship and service, applying the concepts learned over the course of the program to better Hawaiʻi.

By the time the program ends, fellows graduate with much more than just a deeper perspective.

“PCF broadens fellows’ horizons, forges long-lasting friendships, and, most importantly, develops within fellows self reasons to give back and help others in Hawaiʻi,” says Hannemann.