Hawaii Hosts International War Games; Residents Question Costs Of Militarism
This summer, military forces from 30 nations are gathering in Hawaii for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, the world’s largest maritime exercise. For its organizers, RIMPAC isn’t just five weeks of trainings, drills, and live-fire exercises — it’s an opportunity to enhance coordination and communication (what the military calls “interoperability”), which they say is critical for military operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other contingencies.
First held in 1971, the biennial RIMPAC includes 25,000 personnel, 40 surface ships, 5 submarines, and 140 aircraft. RIMPAC organizers say the exercise promotes regional stability and provides an economic boost for Hawaii.