#hawaiʻi economy
Does improved Optimism Index portend anything for Hawaiʻi?
“Although the Index is a national snapshot not broken down by state, I think it, along with the recently released state rankings from US News & World Report and from CNBC, give all the candidates who emerged from the Hawaiʻi Primary Election something to seriously consider when forming their small business policy points,” said Michael Iosua, state director for NFIB in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi DBEDT projects moderate 1.6% growth for 2026
Hawai‘i’s nominal personal income had a substantial increase of $12.9 billion or 12.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the same quarter of 2024. The Bureau of Economic Analysis notes that this unusual increase was due to a settlement paid to households in the fourth quarter of 2025 to compensate for losses related to the 2023 Maui Wildfire.
Hawai’i launches campaign to rebuild visitor confidence following Kona Low storms
March visitor statistics released Thursday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism showed statewide visitor arrivals declined 1.7% in March 2026 compared to March 2025, while visitor spending declined 1.6% to $1.96 billion.
House Majority outlines top priorities for 2026 legislative session
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, marking the second year of the 33rd Legislature. As the legislative session begins, the House Majority Caucus has outlined its top priorities for the upcoming year.
Hawai‘i jobless rate dips to 2.2%; Maui County rate at 2.6% in November
Hawaiʻi’s statewide unemployment rate remained lower than the national average in November 2025.
DBEDT forecasts gradual growth, stronger recovery by 2027
Rising tariffs and heightened policy uncertainty are expected to add to one-off inflationary pressures by late 2025 and into 2026, with the Honolulu Consumer Price Index projected to increase during this period. These conditions are expected to weigh on economic activity, keeping growth subdued through 2026.
Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience.