#James Kunane Tokioka

Construction boom to drive Hawaiʻi’s economy, aid Maui recovery

A resurgent construction industry in Hawaiʻi is building the state’s economy, even as tourism falters, and offers hope of boosting Maui’s recovery from the devastating August 2023 wildfires. This optimistic outlook comes from the Hawaiʻi state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s recent second-quarter statistical and economic report. “The growth in the construction industry […]

DBEDT: Visitor arrivals in March were highest since July 2024, showing recovery

On any given day this past March, Maui saw 59,089 visitors.

Maui County’s economic recovery trails rest of the state; construction builds momentum

Maui County’s economic recovery remains slower than other islands, particularly in tourism and employment, suggesting lingering effects from the August 2023 wildfires disaster that disrupted tourism and local businesses, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism the 2025 Statistical and Economic Report, published in this first quarter.

Gov. Green releases $6.3M for tourism recovery campaign

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has announced the release of $6.3 million restricted funds from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism budget for a marketing effort to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

Call for submissions issued for Hawai‘i film and creative content funding support

The Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Creative Industries Division has released a request for proposals toward the development of small, mid-sized and microbudget film and creative media projects.

Maui tourism rebounds in November 2024, visitor spending surpasses pre-wildfire levels

Fifteen months after the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires, there were 197,622 visitors to Maui in November 2024, according to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. This marks a 21.6% increase—or approximately 35,000 more visitors—compared to November 2023, though it remains about 15% below the visitor count recorded in November 2019, prior to the pandemic and wildfires.

Maui visitor arrivals lag, but metrics point to stronger construction, housing sectors

Visitors to Maui island lag behind by pre-pandemic arrivals in 2019, according to a fourth quarter 2024 Statistical and Economic Report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority partners with LPGA to enhance global marketing and destination stewardship

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is continuing its work to stabilize travel demand to the Hawaiian Islands through strategic global marketing, while also ensuring tourism’s benefits flow to communities. As part of this focused effort, HTA is furthering its partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association through the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei being held this week on Oʻahu.

Gov. Green celebrates support for Hawaiʻi’s first girls’ high school flag football season

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., joined key supporters and partners to announce the launch of the inaugural Hawai‘i High School Girls Flag Football season, set to kick off this spring. A check presentation ceremony Thursday in the governor’s Ceremonial Room recognized the donors who made the season possible, particularly the Las Vegas Raiders, who contributed $25,000

DBEDT report: September visitor arrivals up from last year, but not at pre-pandemic levels

Maui visitor arrivals in September are up dramatically, compared to last year, a month after the August 2023 wildfires, according to a monthly report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. But the rebound has not reached pre-pandemic levels.

Small Business Regulatory Review Board elects 2024-25 officers

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Small Business Regulatory Review Board, which oversees rules and regulations for Hawai‘i small businesses, has announced its officers for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

US Small Business Administration invests in Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program

The US Small Business Administration has awarded the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism $525,000 to continue the Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program.

Growth, recovery forecast for Hawaiʻi, but Maui County expected to lag behind

Construction activity, including the rebuilding of wildfire devastated Lahaina town, will overcome relative weakness in tourism and help build a stable economic recovery, at a rate of 1.3%, for Hawaiʻi statewide, according to a forecast by economists with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

DBEDT report: Maui visitor arrivals, spending fall steeply in July, compared with last year

A monthly report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism shows Maui tourism dropped significantly in July compared with last year, before the Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires.

DBEDT releases 56th edition of State of Hawai‘i Data Book

The 2023 edition of the “State of Hawai‘i Data Book,” released Thursday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) serves as Hawaiʻi’s most comprehensive statistical resource.

Free creative industry courses offered through Good Jobs Hawai‘i include 3D rendering, esports and more

Four free courses are being offered to Hawai‘i residents through the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges’ Good Jobs Hawai‘i initiative in collaboration with Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division (CID).

Creative Industries Educator Externship shares skills with Hawai‘i teachers

Technical skill rotations were hosted throughout the day exploring topics such as fashion design process, 3D modeling, video pre-production and much more, along with networking sessions and informative panels from professionals in the creative industries. Attendees were provided with an overview of CID’s workforce initiatives, ways to maximize the ClimbHI Bridge portal, and insights into preparing students for successful careers within the creative industries.

Low 2024 economic growth rate forecast for Hawaiʻi due to fires’ recovery, projected global slowdown

The State of Hawaiʻi revised its 2023 growth projections upward to 1.9%, but lowered its 2024 projections to 1.3% due to the projected global slowdown and recovery from the Maui wildfires.

Hawaiʻi residents, visitors encouraged to support local businesses this holiday season

Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism encourage residents and visitors to buy Hawaiian-made products during the holidays, driving local economic growth and aiding in business recovery.

Hawaiʻi music immersive program seeking singer-songwriters; deadline Dec. 1

The 2024 Creative Lab Hawai‘i Music Immersive program will open the application process on Nov. 1 for singer-songwriters who are seeking opportunities to license their works for global media and entertainment content.
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