Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. — Dean Minakami was unanimously appointed by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors today to serve as HHFDC executive director.

According to preliminary statistics from DBEDT, both visitor arrivals and visitor spending decreased for the second consecutive month compared to 2022.

The 2024 Creative Lab Hawaii Music Immersive program is soon to open and Hawaii singer-songwriters seeking opportunities to license their works for global media and entertainment content are invited to apply.

DBEDT today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September was 2.8 percent, the same as in July and August.

Hawaii State Energy Office — The U.S. Department of Energy today announced two technology demonstration projects proposed by the Hawaii State Energy Office in partnership with Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will receive more than $17.9 million in funding.

Maui small businesses hit by this summer's wildfires are getting financial support to participate in this year's Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival.

DBEDT has been awarded a $3.2 million dollar grant from the Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

Hawaii Technology Development Corp. — In anticipation of National Manufacturing Day, state legislators and business leaders participated in an islandwide tour of local manufacturing businesses yesterday.

DBEDT invites Hawaii manufacturers wanting to enter the Japan market to join a FREE webinar about the 2024 Hankyu Hawaii Fair on Tuesday, October 17 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

DBEDT’s Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office has spent much of 2023 meeting with community members and organizations to provide information on the development of the state’s first digital equity plan.