Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

The popular Hawaii Small Business Fair returns to help local entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies in a post-pandemic economy and the state’s new business landscape.

According to preliminary visitor statistics released by DBEDT, a total of 932,713 visitors arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in July 2023, an increase of 1.5 percent from July 2022.

Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority — In a major step towards making Hawaii more green, resilient, and affordable, HGIA has been appropriated $50 million for Solar PV+Battery financing in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation —Governor Josh Green, M.D., and HHFDC announced today that landlords, management companies and homeowners from across the state have offered to rent more than 900 houses, apartment units and rooms immediately to the thousands of Maui residents who lost their homes during this month's horrific fires.

DBEDT today released the 2022 edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book. The Hawaii State Data Book is the most comprehensive statistical book about Hawaii in a single compilation.

DBEDT today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 2.8 percent, compared to 3.0 percent in June.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D., led a partnership with the hotel industry that moved the first groups of evacuees – nearly 400 survivors of the Lahaina fire – from evacuation shelters into West Maui hotels and timeshare units.

Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corp. — Governor Josh Green, M.D., and HHFDC today announced the launch of the Hawaii Fire Relief Housing program aimed at connecting Maui residents affected by the recent wildfires.

On July 27 and 28, 2023, the Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit was convened by DBEDT, and the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH).

According to preliminary visitor statistics released by DBEDT, a total of 889,274 visitors arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in June 2023, an increase of 5.5 percent from June 2022.