About Arnold
Aloha!
I'm Dr. Arnold Laanui - an educator based in Honolulu, Hawaii. I transform vulnerable communities through innovative partnerships, big data and progressive education.
Law + Education
Prior to my work in education, I served as an FBI Special Agent. My career in "the Bureau" spans a wide range of experiences where I resolved high-risk scenarios, built international partnerships, conducted groundbreaking research, and championed the FBI's first risk model. I've also served on FBI SWAT, won Hawaii's TOP COP award and was named an official spokesman of the FBI.
While in the Bureau, I fell in love with teaching and earned my second doctorate - this time, in education. For over 20 years, I designed curricula, taught students and coached teachers in vulnerable communities across the US and around world, to include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. I've also authored award-winning initiatives that have positively impacted numerous middle and high schools across Hawaii to include the Adopt-a-School Program, the PROVE Project, and the Internet Safety Awards.
Preparing the post-COVID World
Months before the COVID-19 pandemic, I hung up my badge to answer a new call to service as a full-time educator. Today, I work with the Hawaii State Department of Education to uplift marginalized students and transform at-risk neighborhoods by bridging campus scholarship to an evolving economy. Currently, I'm part of a team that leads 18 campuses and over 14,000 students through the COVID economy and toward purposeful lives. Together we're building the nation's first K-12 career academy.
Over the years, I've appeared frequently in new and traditional media. I'm a sought-after speaker and presenter on a variety of topics, including college admissions, online reputation, digital ethics, workforce development, community outreach, and risk forecasting. Recent appearances and contributions include Halau Kumana, HAIS's Schools of the Future Conference, the FBI, Kamehameha Schools, the Honolulu Association of Insurance Professionals and the Beautification of Communication Podcast.