Department Summary
The Office of Economic Development (OED) is provided by law (c.20, HRS; Sec. 2-15. R.C.O.1976)
Department Mission
The Office of Economic Development works, in partnership with the community, to create economic opportunities towards the development of a healthy, stable and balanced economy for the residents of the County of Kauai.
The Office of Economic Development (OED), as a government entity, interfaces with business and community leaders as well as other government programs to enhance Kauai's economic development activities. OED is responsible to provide technical and financial support, as feasible, for both large and small business establishments or existing and emerging new industries which offer full employment for Kauai's residents.
Department Goals
The Office of Economic Development Departmental Goals are as follows:
- Foster and strengthen a well-qualified labor force consistent with local industry direction and workforce needs.
- Expand and strengthen well-balanced visitor industry promotions and businesses aligned with enhancing island-wide product development projects.
- Increase support and collaboration to ensure the continual growth and expansion of Kauai's agricultural project.
- Increase advocacy and coordination efforts for energy efficiency projects, energy emergency preparedness programs, and increase use of renewable resources.
- Increase high level film location productions and expand business development efforts to secure a major film studio complex on Kauai.
- Improve the facilitation of coordinated research, market analysis, and compilation of local industry/community-related data and statistics to support business and community development.
Announcements
UHERO has released their Kauaʻi Economic Outlook Summary for June 2024. This report is prepared for the County of Kaua‘i as part of a community partnership.
UHERO states that Kauaʻi's economy will continue to grow, but more slowly than in previous years.
In the report, UHERO states that although impacted by inflation, high cost of living, and a shrinking labor force, Kauaʻi residents continue to diversify the economy with a growing manufacturing sector and thriving construction and transportation sectors. Other key insights include Kauaʻi tourism currently experiencing a weaker patch brought on by a weakening US visitor market, a tight labor market due to high cost of living, and inflation in Kauaʻi exceeding the national average. UHERO predicts that Kauaʻi's economic growth will be slower than we've seen in the past, but community resilience and economic diversification are crucial to navigating the balance between leveraging current economic strengths and preparing for future challenges.
Thank you to our community partners who met with UHERO to provide input and help refine the data outcomes.
For more information, please contact Dr. Carl Bonham at (808) 956-7605 or bonham@hawaii.edu.