Asia - Pacific Center for Security Studies The Asia - Pacific Center for Security Studies ( APCSS ) is a United States Department of Defense regional study , conference , and research center established in Honolulu , Hawaii , United States on September 4 , 1995 . The Center supports the United States Pacific Command ( PACOM ) theater security cooperation strategy of maintaining positive security relationships with nations in the Asia - Pacific region . With its non - warfighting , academic focus , the APCSS seeks to build on the strong bilateral relationships between the PACOM , and Asia - Pacific region governments and their armed forces , by focusing on the broader multilateral approach to addressing regional security issues and concerns . The Center ’ s mission is " To building capacities and communities of interest by educating , connecting and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia - Pacific security . " National officials , decision makers , and policy makers gather at APCSS to exchange ideas , explore pressing issues , and achieve a greater understanding of the challenges that shape the security environment of the Asia - Pacific region . A primary focus is the increasingly complex interrelationships of the military , economic , political , and diplomatic policies relevant to regional security issues . The Center focuses on Executive Education via both resident and regional events . These academic events include resident courses and outreach events such as mini - courses , conferences and research projects . Senior military and government decision - makers in security - related positions from throughout the region participate in APCSS courses . The Asia - Pacific Center for Security Studies is located on Fort DeRussy , in Waikiki , Hawaii . Background . The concept began when Hawaii ’ s Senator Daniel Inouye visited the George C . Marshall European Center for Security Studies . He felt the Asia - Pacific region could benefit from an executive education and conference program . In 1994 , he introduced congressional language to establish the Asia - Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii . The language instructed the Navy to use $ 3 million of existing budgeted funds and create the Center as a direct reporting unit to Commander , U . S . Pacific Command ( PACOM ) . On Sept . 4 , 1995 , APCSS was officially established during a ceremony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu . The Honorable William J . Perry , then U . S . Secretary of Defense and General John Shalikashvill , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , joined Admiral Richard C . Macke , Commander , U . S . Pacific Command and 33 foreign dignitaries to cut a 72 - ft . long ribbon opening the center . DoD Directive 5200 . 38 giving official authorization to the Center was signed Jan . 29 , 1996 . In October 1995 , the center moved from Camp Smith into the Waikiki Trade Center . The first 12 - week Executive Course began in September 1996 with 23 fellows from 12 countries . This course creates a rare opportunity for future leader education and exchanges . A total of ten executive courses and two senior executive courses were conducted at the Waikiki Trade Center . In June , 2000 , APCSS moved into its present home at Fort DeRussy . Formerly the home of the 9th Army Reserve Command , the building was refurbished to create a “ campus - like ” atmosphere . The old warehouse was converted into an auditorium and classroom and office spaces . A road adjacent to the building was filled with grass to create a quiet park - like setting . On August 23 , 2000 , the building was officially dedicated , with more than 300 VIPs and special guests in attendance . Speakers included : Sen . Daniel Inouye ; Adm . Dennis C . Blair , then Commander , U . S . Pacific Command ; Dr . William James Perry , former Secretary of Defense ; and retired Lt . Gen . H . C . Stackpole ( USMC ) APCSS president . On September 4 , 2005 , APCSS celebrated its 10th anniversary . Today the Center is made up of 128 staff and faculty and is composed of civilians and active duty military , which are drawn from all branches of the U . S . Armed Forces . The multi - cultural diversity of the Center ’ s student body is replicated by its international staff and faculty . Resident Programs . For a full description of APCSS courses please go to the website : www . apcss . org Outreach : Resident & Regional . Focused Outreach Events – APCSS staff and faculty routinely travel throughout the Asia - Pacific region to conduct mini - courses , conferences and research that address specific needs identified by host nation and U . S . Embassy officials . Examples include workshops on : Civil - Military Relations , Crisis Management , UN Peacekeeping , Counter Terrorism , etc . Workshops - APCSS ’ conference program is a forum for key regional interagency , multinational security policy drafters and decision makers to develop cooperative approaches to these problems . Examples include : Influenza pandemic , Asia - Pacific Perspectives Conference . Research - APCSS faculty members conduct research and publishes various publications available on their website at http : / / www . apcss . org . Some recent publications / papers include : Alumni Relations / Notable Alumni . Alumni Relations - APCSS has more than 6 , 600 graduates . Alumni in Senior Positions include - Alumni Associations . APCSS has more than 55 alumni associations in locations such as : Australia , Afghanistan , American Samoa , Bangladesh , Bhutan , Cameroon , Cambodia ( informal association ) , Canada , Chile , China , Comoros , Cook Islands , Fiji , Guam , Hong Kong , India , Indonesia , Iraq , Japan , Jordan , Kazakhstan , Laos , Lebanon , Maldives , Madagascar ( w / Africa Center ) , Malaysia , Mauritius * * , Marshall Islands , Micronesia , Mongolia , Mozambique , Nepal , New Zealand , Pakistan , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Peru , Philippines , Republic of Korea , Russia , Samoa , Solomon Islands , Sri Lanka , Taiwan , Tanzania , Timor - Leste , Thailand , Tonga , Tuvalu , Vanuatu , Vietnam , and United States ( DC & Hawaii ) Other Regional Centers . APCSS is one of five regional centers that fall under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency . The other centers include : - The George C . Marshall European Center for Security Studies - The Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies - Near East South Asia for Strategic Studies