HONOLULU (July 9, 2014) – The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii will host its Military Affairs Council (MAC) Quarterly Briefing on the Economic Impact of the Military on Hawaii on Friday, July 11th, 7:30-9:00 a.m., at the Pacific Club. Presenters include HPU President and MAC Chair of Data & Research Committee, Dr. Geoff Bannister; Director of Resources and Assessment, U.S. Pacific Command, Dr. George Kailiwai; and the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies Director and Strategic Advisor to the MAC Data & Research Committee, Lt. Gen. (Ret) Dan “Fig” Leaf.
The briefing is complimentary for MAC members and $30 for non-MAC members. Registration and continental breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by presentations at 7:45 a.m.
- Hawaii attracts increased activity in R&D projects and the presence of the Nation’s top prime defense contractors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Raytheon and several others.
- In addition, many of Hawaii’s fledgling high technology businesses receive federal grants through DOD programs such as those awarded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and mentor-protégé programs administered by prime defense contractors.
- The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is Hawaii’s largest industrial plant, employing more than 4,600 engineers and skilled technicians to service naval surface ships and submarines based in Hawaii and responding to emergency repair calls throughout the Pacific. The naval shipyard also extends use of its facilities to service commercial ships.
- The Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, is the island’s largest employer outside of government. It is the key R&D site for the nation’s ballistic missile defense program and the Navy’s premier anti-submarine warfare testing and training range.
- Since 2002, a 50-year contract to privatize the military family housing program has created billions of dollars in business opportunities for Hawaii’s small businesses contracted to develop, service, and manage military residential communities to over 17,000 homes throughout Oahu by Forest City and Lend Lease Hawaii.
The direct and indirect impacts of military expenditures are reported to generate $14.7 billion into Hawaii’s economy, creating more than 102,000 jobs for residents that collectively report household incomes around $8.7 billion. Military expenditures totaling $8.8 billion annually has elevated the defense industry and military procurement contracts amount to about $2.3 billion annually, making it a prime source of contracting opportunities for hundreds of Hawaii’s small businesses.
For more information on the military’s economic impact on Hawaii, go to: https://www.cochawaii.org/military-impact-in-hawaii/.
As the leading “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the state’s largest organization advocating for businesses in Hawaii. Established in 1850, the Chamber works on behalf of its approximately 1,000 member companies and the business community, as a whole, to advance the state’s economic climate and help businesses succeed. The Chamber supports its members with training, business building and networking opportunities; coordinates advocacy activities for members’ involvement; and serves as a liaison between civilian and military communities in Hawaii.
# # #
Contact: Lori Abe
808-545-4300
808-282-4398 (mobile)
labe@cochawaii.org