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Group C: Diversifying Hawaii's Economy

Policy Issue Brief: “Diversifying Hawai‘i’s Economy” (PDF)
by Sun-Ki Chai

Group C collage of members Members:
Bob Agres
Lance Bleakley
Sun-Ki Chai
Bruce Coppa
Mike Fitzgerald
Meheroo Jussawalla
Mary Lou Kobayashi
Hideto Kono
Presley Pang
Randolph Perreira
Jerry Rauckhorst
C. Barry Raleigh
Peter Savio
John Tapper
Jane Testa
Danton Wong

Facilitator: Tom Fee

Summary of Work Sessions:
Session I. Preferred Futures and Public Policy Strategies
More than twenty conference participants representing a variety of sectors described some of their preferred futures and basic strategies to help diversify Hawai’i’s economy in sustainable ways. There were several recurring suggestions. Specific examples suggested to diversify the economy included: developing a knowledge-based economy; redefining tourism niches; becoming a hub for international education, technology and research collaboration; creating a HI center for peace, health and wellness and be the healing islands; and supporting renewable energy and information technology as key industries. Many people emphasized the need to start from certain principles such as: preserving our past while connecting to our future; making sure that sustainable development sustains the good will of the host community; creating a unique HI and not becoming another mainland big city; and that all new approaches should assure that a diversified economy has a first objective of sustainable living wages.

Many strategies for reaching preferred futures were discussed. The following were mentioned most often: hosting community conversations; asset mapping; partnering and collaboration; using unconventional educational models; encouraging creative and visionary leadership that transcends “we can not” and “we have always done it that way” approaches; restoring Hawai’i’s environment; focusing on job training for new industries and supporting the local workforce; and encouraging home and community-based economic development. In addition, they discussed using a double bottom lines that account for both business profits and social, cultural and environment responsibility; and see if HI can be to the Asia Pacific region what Ireland is to the EU on information technology. More detailed notes on participant input (PDF)

Session II. Public Policies and Recommendations/ Next Steps
The afternoon session had fewer participants and they reviewed the morning deliberations and developed a variety of priority public policy areas and recommendations for next steps. Several priorities were noted, including: use technology to continue conference conversation about sustainable diversified economy (website plus); develop data bases, inventories and updates on “who is doing what” and “what is happening on sustainable business and economy and efforts to diversify the economy;” widen the circle of participation – assure inclusion of all stakeholders; focus on clear market potential industries such as renewable energy, diversified tourism and international education; convene stakeholders, use collaborative strategies to support industry growth; and set benchmarks, goals and measures for success in diversifying the economy. The group also discussed a) who else should be included in these conversations that was not here today and b) how can the University of Hawai’i’s College of Social Science Public Policy Center help. More detailed notes on participant input (PDF)

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Group C: Diversifying Hawaii's Economy