Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
SMALL BUSINESS
Hawaii’s small businesses drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster innovation statewide. This pillar advances policies that reduce regulatory friction, expand access to capital, and support entrepreneurship, technology adoption, and operational resilience, helping local businesses start, scale, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.
Our Mission
To strengthen Hawaii’s small business ecosystem by improving permitting transparency, expanding micro-lending, supporting innovation and technology, and providing programs that help entrepreneurs navigate rising costs, workforce challenges, and global competition.
The Chamber supports small business formation, growth, access to capital, workforce development, digital enablement, and resilience planning. Programs streamline permitting, expand technical assistance, increase access to microloans, and provide targeted innovation support.
Access to capital, technical support, and workforce alignment allows small businesses to create jobs, expand operations, and survive economic shocks. Broader benefits include strengthened community economies, increased equity for underserved businesses, and a resilient, diversified small-business ecosystem.
Our Purpose
The Small Business Policy Committee supports the goals of the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii by:
- Streamlining permitting and building code processes to reduce delays, increase transparency, and give small businesses confidence to start and expand.
- Expanding micro-lending and credit enhancement tools to help entrepreneurs access capital, especially underserved and locally owned businesses.
- Supporting innovation and technology adoption through Hawaii Technology Development Corporation programs, including Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), accelerators, and manufacturing assistance to scale competitive solutions.
- Encouraging operational resilience and workforce development through training, mentoring, and technology adoption programs that help small businesses navigate rising costs.
- Strengthening community-based enterprises and sector partnerships that foster sustainable growth and high-value job creation statewide.
Small Business Scorecard
Our Vision
A successful small business ecosystem where entrepreneurs have access to capital, technology, and workforce support, driving innovation, economic resilience, and sustainable growth across Hawaii’s communities and industries.
Policy Committee Focus Areas
BUSINESS FORMATION & GROWTH
Streamline licensing, permitting, and startup processes, and provide technical assistance, incubation, and mentoring to help new businesses launch and expand successfully.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Increase access to public and private financing, micro-loans, and credit-enhancement programs to reduce barriers for early-stage and underserved businesses.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & DIGITAL ENABLEMENT
Support workforce development, apprenticeships, and digital literacy while helping small businesses adopt technology, expand online presence, and scale innovative solutions.
RESILIENCE & MARKET ACCESS
Strengthen disaster preparedness, operational resilience, and market connectivity through coordination with government, nonprofits, and interisland and global market opportunities.
Excited about the Blueprint?
Has the Blueprint been a catalyst for business growth and legislative engagement? We want to spotlight you.
Reach out
Contact us if you want to know more about or get involved with legislative action, advocacy events or the 2030 Blueprint.