What steps are being taken to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy and support local business?

With concerns continuing about budget cuts at the federal level, the Hawaiʻi Legislature proposed some measures aimed at shoring up local business revenues, including ending tax credits for the solar industry and for film production in Hawaiʻi. But Gov. Josh Green vetoed the bill, arguing that it was important to support those businesses.

Lawmakers tried to rein in skyrocketing insurance costs, especially for condo owners. And the Legislature also passed bills to increase development of the local workforce and to cap Hawaiian Electric Co.’s liability in the event of future wildfires.

Quick Facts

  • Big business: As of 2023, the largest employer by number of workers was The Queen’s Health Systems. Others in the Top 10 included Hawaiian Electric Industries, Kamehameha Schools, Bank of Hawaiʻi Corp. and Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts.
  • Labor power: In 2024, union members accounted for more than 26% of wage and salary workers statewide, the highest percentage nationally.
  • Visitor industry: Tourism represents roughly one-fourth of Hawaiʻi’s economy.
  • Job security: Hawaiʻi’s unemployment rate as of May 2025 was 2.8%, tying it with Montana for the 4th-lowest nationwide.

Economy and Business Bills

In Focus

Here are the bills considered in the current session involving business and the economy, including tourism. Bills highlighted at the top are those are identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

HB 430 Passed
Nadine Nakamura headshot
Nadine Nakamura

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Establishes a state internship and workforce development program. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to collaborate with the Department of Human Resources Development for placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, and programs. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

SB 1044 Passed
Jarrett Keohokalole headshot
Jarrett Keohokalole

Expands the powers of the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Establishes the Condominium Loan Program and the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund, to be administered by the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority on behalf of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, for the purpose of providing financing for essential repairs and deferred maintenance to condominium associations. Abolishes the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund on 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders to provide loans at competitive rates and terms to allow condominium associations to make necessary maintenance and repairs. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study to develop long-term solutions to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the issuance of reimbursable general obligation bonds to facilitate the initial issuance of policies to condominium associations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 796 Failed
Kyle Yamashita headshot
Kyle Yamashita

Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2025 or established or renewed after 12/31/2025 include a 5-year sunset or an annual one-third reduction, beginning with the 6th year of the credit. (CD1)

SB 589 Passed
Glenn Wakai headshot
Glenn Wakai

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids, and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs. (CD1)

SB 534
RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Water and Land

In Progress
RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Water and Land
HB 1308
RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology

In Progress
RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology
HB 982
RELATING TO WILDFIRES.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

In Progress
RELATING TO WILDFIRES.Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection
SB 732
RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

In Progress
RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
HB 1246
RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

In Progress
RELATING TO CANNABIS.Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
HB 504
RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Tourism

In Progress
RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.Committee: House Standing Committee on Tourism
View All

Key Players

Legislative Leaders

These are the leaders in the Legislature for business and economic issues as identified by Civil Beat.

Non-Legislative Leaders

Other than legislators, these are the people or organizations that have been most active on business and economic issues including energy policy, taxes and business development.

In the News