By Stephen Florino 

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Shipping. Product availability. The cost of goods, rent, and labor. These are all challenges for doing business in Hawaii. But industry leaders say they are working to make things better.

FAM Hawaii is close to celebrating its one year anniversary at Pearlridge Center. Born on Maui 10 years ago, they credit their loyal customers to making it this far. But it isn’t easy.

“Just the reality of having to cover the overhead, the rent, you know, the utilities, the manufacturing costs, the shipping costs, it just adds up,” said Zhorein Galicinao, FAM Hawaii owner.

A recent report showed that Hawaii ranked dead last in the country when it comes to business. The report measured 138 metrics. Hawaii ranked at or near the bottom for a few key categories including infrastructure, cost of doing business, and technology and innovation.

“We can’t continue to stay 50th or 49th and expect that our residents will stay here, our businesses will continue to thrive here,” said Sherry Menor, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President & CEO.

Business leaders said they are working on improvements. Chamber of Commerce Hawaii launched the 2030 blueprint with actionable goals like lowering taxes, streamling regulations, and investing in workforce.

FAM Hawaii’s products feature bold local prints, but most of their manufacturing is done overseas just like a lot of other local clothing companies. State industry leaders are trying to find a way to keep that whole manufacturing process in the islands. The state points to the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center as an example. Opened in 2024, officials say the state can build these shared manufacturing facilities.

“If the state can come in and those investments, that is how we make the business of the climate more business friendly, as well as reduce the risk and reduce the cost, ultimately reducing the cost of the business,” said Dane Wicker, state Department of Business & Economic Development Deputy Director.

“If we had that, that’d be amazing, you know, that everybody would be going, with that route instead of having to go through foreign countries to order,” said Galicinao.

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