Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii State Energy Office — Today President Biden signed an executive order allowing the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement. The United States officially withdrew from the landmark climate agreement on Nov. 4, 2020, under the previous presidential administration.

DBEDT has released its Hawaii Defense Economy (HDE) Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis Report and Action Plan.

Following many discussions with health and natural resource leaders of the State to find a way forward for future surf contests in Hawaii, we have determined that the State will be suspending surf competitions at this time.

Office of Planning — The State Office of Planning will be holding a public hearing on Act 278, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, which requires OP to study land subdivision and condominium property regime laws related to agricultural land on Oahu.

Based on recent developments in Hawaii’s economy, DBEDT now projects that Hawaii’s economic growth will fall by 11.2 percent in 2020, less than the 12.3 percent previously forecast.