Economic Action

Hawaii’s workforce is critical to long-term economic growth. This policy committee advances policies that expand workforce housing, strengthen employer-led talent pipelines, support apprenticeships and early learning, and promote financial literacy, ensuring a skilled, resilient, and competitive workforce across all priority industries statewide.

Our Mission

To build a strong, future-ready workforce by accelerating housing delivery, expanding employer-led training and apprenticeships, fostering financial literacy, and supporting demand-driven sector partnerships that align education, business, and state resources.

The Chamber drives statewide economic competitiveness by advancing innovation, research and development, regulatory reform, and strategic investments that reduce barriers for businesses, stimulate capital formation, and support workforce alignment. Programs focus on leveraging private-sector investment, modernizing processes, and improving transparency.

Policy actions create jobs across emerging and established sectors, improve business efficiency, and stimulate private investment. Broader benefits include stronger economic diversification, improved regulatory consistency, and sustainable, high-impact growth.

Our Purpose

The Economic Action Policy Committee supports the goals of the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii by:

Reducing barriers to workforce housing with regulatory flexibility and incentives to support employees, strengthen communities, and stabilize Hawaii’s workforce.
Encouraging paid internships and apprenticeships through tax credits to develop talent pipelines aligned with industry needs.
Integrating financial literacy education into high school curricula to equip students with practical money-management skills for lifelong stability.
Supporting employer-led sector partnerships and demand-driven training programs to connect education, credentials, and work-based learning opportunities.
Strengthening early learning workforce through targeted grants and apprenticeships, ensuring quality childcare and reliable support for families and employers.

Economic Action Scorecard

Our Vision

A skilled, resilient workforce where education, industry, and housing align seamlessly, financial literacy is widespread, and all sectors benefit from well-prepared talent driving Hawaii’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Policy Committee Focus Areas

WORKFORCE HOUSING REGULATORY SANDBOX PROGRAM

Creating a voluntary, time-limited Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox administered by HHFDC with county coordination, offering temporary, project-specific permitting flexibility, advisory oversight, reporting requirements, and dedicated administrative support.

WORKFORCE BUILDER TAX CREDIT

Creating a Workforce Builder Tax Credit to incentivize private employers to offer paid internships and registered apprenticeships, with structured oversight, fiscal safeguards, and reporting to ensure accountability and workforce alignment.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

Strengthening financial literacy by embedding personal finance instruction into existing high school courses, providing teacher support, and ensuring consistent, accessible, and unbiased education that prepares students for workforce and life success.

SECTOR PARTNERSHIP SPECIAL FUND

Establishing a Sector Partnerships Special Fund within DBEDT to support employer-led, demand-driven workforce development, strengthen talent pipelines, coordinate statewide training, and leverage resources to address industry needs and economic competitiveness.

EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM

Supporting early learning workforce development by establishing an apprenticeship grant program administered by UH, providing financial and training support to providers, strengthening career pipelines, and improving access to high-quality care.

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Reach out

Contact us if you want to know more about or get involved with legislative action, advocacy events or the 2030 Blueprint.