Zack Hernandez and Gigi Dawn Drive Hawaii Tech Ecosystem Growth

Zack Hernandez is driving Hawaii’s economic growth through specialized talent development as the founder and CEO of AEP Hawaii.

The initiative focuses on strengthening the islands’ tech ecosystem by connecting local professionals with high-impact career opportunities. Hernandez, a graduate of both Punahou School and Columbia University, has centered his professional efforts on building Hawaii’s next economic chapter from within the state.

AEP Hawaii operates alongside several interconnected organizations designed to strengthen the local workforce. Hernandez serves as the founder of AEP Hawaii, the Executive Director of Talent Hui, and the leader of the ThriveHI nonprofit.

The strategy relies on a multi-layered approach to economic development. While AEP Hawaii focuses on direct talent engagement, other branches of Hernandez’s work address broader systemic needs.

Talent Hui: Functions to connect Hawaii’s top talent with meaningful professional opportunities.
ThriveHI: A nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the startup and technology economy across the islands.
AEP Hawaii: The primary entity led by Hernandez to foster economic growth through human capital.

Gigi Dawn supports these efforts as the Chief of Staff at AEP Hawaii. She also holds leadership roles as the Program Director for ThriveHI and the Chief Marketing Officer for Talent Hui.

Dawn utilizes her background in talent acquisition and her specific understanding of Hawaii's unique business environment to manage the relationships and events that sustain these three organizations. Her work focuses on the ecosystem-building required to keep high-level skills within the state.

The interconnected nature of these roles suggests a concentrated effort to address the “brain drain” often seen in island economies, where skilled workers frequently migrate to the mainland for tech-sector roles. By building a local infrastructure of nonprofits, talent agencies, and startup support, the team aims to create a self-sustaining cycle of innovation and employment.