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The Island Security Policy Institute (ISPI) is a nonprofit research organization founded in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, in 2026. It publishes free research on public safety, emergency preparedness and security policy for island and coastal communities, and takes commissioned research for governments and organizations.
As featured on PreventionWeb, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's knowledge platform: HI-04, CM-01, CM-09.
Four Research Categories · 21 Topics. 56 published documents. Free to download.
ISPI produces white papers, policy briefs, assessment reports, and commentary across seven island-specific policy domains — practitioner-grounded research available to any government, institution, or corporation that needs it.
Recent from ISPI.
Practitioner analysis on current events across ISPI's research domains — worldwide coverage, island-specific insight.
Latest research
- Shelter Theory and Pacific Small States: The Case for Collective Security Over Bilateral Dependency · Analysis · Sep 4, 2026
- Pacific Security Outlook Report 2026: Key Findings and the Declarations Behind Them · Analysis · Sep 4, 2026
- Solomon Islands Calls for Pacific Fisheries Surveillance Centre: The Maritime Security Gap Behind the Request · Analysis · Sep 3, 2026
- Hawaii Grid Vulnerability After Hurricane Lala: The Infrastructure Gap Behind the Power Outages · Analysis · Sep 2, 2026
- How to Implement an Insider Threat Program in a Small Island Organization · Analysis · Aug 28, 2026
- How to Conduct an Insular Vulnerability Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Island Organizations · Analysis · Aug 28, 2026
- How to Commission Island Security Research: What Government Agencies and Foundations Need to Know · Analysis · Aug 28, 2026
- How to Apply an Island Emergency Management Framework to Your Organization · Analysis · Aug 28, 2026
Featured research
- Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement: What It Means for Pacific Security · Pacific security
- Behavioral Threat Assessment in Island Communities · Threat assessment
- Island Campus Safety: What the Clery Act Misses · Campus safety
- Campus Safety at Geographically Isolated Institutions · Campus safety
- Why Island Corporations Commission Security Research · Corporate security
Who commissions ISPI research.
ISPI accepts research commissions from five client categories — each with specific research needs that standard continental institutions cannot address.
Work with ISPI.
ISPI accepts research commissions, training engagements, grant partnerships, speaking invitations, and media inquiries. Government agencies, foundations, universities, and island community organizations are welcome to reach out.
Commentary & Analysis
Solomon Islands PM Wale Will Review the China Security Deal. The Review Itself Reveals the Governance Capacity Problem.
PM Wale committed to reviewing the 2022 China security agreement. The conditions under which the review will occur — limited analytical capacity, Chinese diplomatic engagement from day one — reveal the governance gap ISPI documents.
Read analysis →Pacific Fusion Centre Security Coordinators Meet as Pacific Faces Simultaneous Threats
Secretary General Baron Waqa opened the Pacific Fusion Centre National Security Coordinators Roundtable June 10 as the Pacific faces a documented polycrisis. Is the roundtable architecture designed for simultaneous compound threats?
Read analysis →ANZAC 2035 and Pacific Supply Chain Security: Implications for Island Communities
Australia and New Zealand's June 8 ANZAC 2035 joint statement formally embedded Pacific supply chain resilience within their bilateral defense cooperation framework — validating the supply chain singularity thesis ISPI documented before the Biketawa Declaration.
Read analysis →Jamaica's 55% Homicide Drop in January 2026: What It Does and Does Not Show for Island Policing
Jamaica recorded its lowest monthly homicide figure since 2001 in January 2026 — a 55% reduction. Three years of sustained decline. This is the most significant documented community policing outcome in Caribbean island governance in recent history.
Read analysis →Hawaii's FEMA Deadline Exposes the Island Disaster Recovery Gap That Lahaina Already Documented
Today is the FEMA deadline for March 2026 Kona Low disaster assistance. The 60-day application window is a continental assumption. Island contractor shortages mean damage documentation is incomplete for many affected properties at day 60.
Read analysis →Operation Irensia 2026 Reveals the Gap Between Pacific Maritime Security Exercises and Operational Reality
U.S., Australia, FSM, Palau, and Marshall Islands completed Operation Irensia 2026 on June 7. The exercise is valuable. What it cannot address is the territory-to-enforcement ratio and insider facilitation pathway that define Pacific maritime security.
Read analysis →Frequently asked questions
What is ISPI?
The Island Security Policy Institute is a nonprofit research organization founded in Honolulu in 2026. It publishes research on public safety, emergency preparedness and security policy for island and coastal communities.
Source: About ISPI
Is ISPI a 501(c)(3) organization?
ISPI is a nonprofit organization with its 501(c)(3) application pending. Contributions are not tax-deductible until IRS recognition is granted.
Source: Support ISPI
Is ISPI research free?
Yes. All 56 published papers are free to read and download from the research library.
Source: Research library
Can my organization commission research from ISPI?
Yes. Government agencies, foundations, corporations and international organizations can commission research through the commission page.
Source: Commission research
For short, sourced analysis of current island security developments, read the ISPI blog.
