Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Maui wildfires, we would like to acknowledge the incredible resilience shown by our community and share how DBEDT has been supporting recovery efforts. From providing housing relief through the Hale O Laie interim housing project to supporting local businesses through grants and resources, we continue to work on long-term economic revitalization, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

In this issue, READ continues to provide regular updates on tourism and labor statistics, alongside new insights into various aspects of Hawaii's economy and social landscape. The latest reports cover topics such as population and economic projections for 2050, consumer spending trends in Honolulu, housing overcrowding, and Hawaii’s Genuine Progress Indicator.

These monthly reports contain data on visitor arrivals, general fund tax revenue, building permits and wage and salary jobs.

According to preliminary statistics from DBEDT, total visitor arrivals declined slightly but total visitor spending in July 2024 increased compared to July 2023.

Advancing mentorship opportunities for emerging Native Hawaiian filmmakers currently living in Hawaii, the Sundance Institute’s 2024 Indigenous Program wraps its short film-focused intensive in Honolulu—the Sundance Indigenous Intensive x Hawaii.