Military Seeks to Expand Arms Manufacturing in Hawaii

The U.S. military eyes China, plans to create a web of new supply chains across the Pacific region with Hawaii at the center.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As the U.S. military focuses on China, it has big plans to expand arms manufacturing in the Pacific, with Hawaii sitting at the center of this vision. Military commanders want to create a network of new supply chains across the region, working with foreign allies and local island companies to arm, equip and supply their forces. This push includes investing in facilities and programs in Hawaii to accelerate production and delivery of military equipment and technology.

Why it matters

The military's efforts to develop Hawaii as a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing comes as controversies around live-fire training, toxic exposure, and other environmental impacts have put the military presence in the islands under renewed local scrutiny. While the military touts the economic benefits, some community leaders argue that the moral integrity and environmental health of Hawaii should not be sacrificed for jobs and funding.

The details

The U.S. military is eyeing 2027 as a potential timeframe for conflict in the Pacific, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping has tasked the Chinese military to be capable of invading Taiwan by then. To support this, the military is investing in facilities and programs in Hawaii, including the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility at Honolulu Community College and 'The Forge' at Schofield Barracks, which enable rapid prototyping and production. The military also launched the Multinational Armaments Resilience Seminar (MARS) program at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies to bring in fellows from across the Pacific to collaborate on arms acquisition.

  • The Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility at Honolulu Community College and 'The Forge' at Schofield Barracks opened their doors last year after years of planning and lobbying.
  • In January 2026, MARS fellows from countries across the Pacific toured Oceanit's facilities in downtown Honolulu.

The players

Michael Cadenazzi

The assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.

Adm. Samuel Paparo

The Oahu-based commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

The ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee who played a central role in securing funding for many of these initiatives in Hawaii.

Patrick Sullivan

The founder and CEO of Oceanit, a Honolulu science and engineering firm that has worked on various defense projects.

Jason Chung

The vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's Military Affairs Council.

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What they’re saying

“'there's an incredible mandate for the industrial base that is bipartisan and robust, and there are challenging topics that we have the resources and I think the authorities (to tackle).'”

— Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“'Adm. Paparo has been very clear that he wants to bring more capability forward to the theater, that he does not want to be wholly reliant upon things from (the continental U.S.) or from our allies overseas. So he wants to go ahead and push capability to the island to make sure that it's more robust and resilient, that we can solve problems faster.'”

— Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“'This shift creates meaningful opportunities for Hawaii companies as the military increasingly recognizes that the industrial base can no longer be limited to large, centralized depots and manufacturers. Instead, it must be distributed, modular and positioned at the point of need, especially in the Pacific, with Hawaii at its center.'”

— Jason Chung, Vice President, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's Military Affairs Council (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This push to develop Hawaii as a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing highlights the ongoing tensions between the military's economic interests and the local community's concerns about environmental impacts and the moral integrity of such partnerships. As the military seeks to accelerate production and delivery of equipment, it must balance these efforts with the needs and values of the people of Hawaii.