Economic Development

"While our economy is doing well, that doesn’t mean we should be passive about economic development and private sector job creation.  I’ve always maintained that Honolulu needs to borrow a page from our Neighbor Island counties and be much more involved in driving the economy."

Mayor Hannemann
State-of-the-City Address
February 2005


ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Personally convinced members of the federal Bases Realignment and Closure Commission to keep Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard open, saving 4,000 jobs
  • Entering third year of Leeward Coast Community Benefits program which earmarks $2.5 million annually divided between social services programs and parks improvements
  • Led effort to revitalize Chinatown by obtaining a $400,000 Ford Foundation grant and holding successful Chinatown Summit that yielded concrete steps such as free wi-fi service
  • Kicked off a similar effort for historic Kalihi with the Kalihi Economic Summit
  • Held two highly popular NFL Pro Bowl block parties in Waikiki
  • Partnered with Building Industry Association to build a construction industry training center
  • Secured a U.S. Economic Development Administration planning grant to develop a technology center on Oahu
  • Organized an emergency job fair for 2,000 displaced Aloha Airline employees
  • Led the effort to establish an enterprise zone designation for Waimanalo to stimulate farming
  • Collaborate with Hawaii Farm Bureau and Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council to fund training of farmers on best practices to preserve agricultural lands
  • Earned $150,000 Preserve America grant from First Lady Laura Bush for Chinatown revitalization
  • Attracted Pan Pacific Championship 2008 professional soccer tournament, 2008 AYSO National Games and USYS Far West Regional soccer tournament to Waipio Soccer Complex
  • Lured 2007 Nike Island Classic national basketball tournament for club and high school girls teams