Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
About Us
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is one of the oldest business organizations in the state and the second oldest Chamber west of the Rockies.
Together, We Are Stronger.
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is a statewide coalition of more than 2,000 businesses including small companies and nonprofits that represent 200,000+ employees. With members on every island, we make Hawaii a better place to do business. Advocacy, education, events and initiatives help our members thrive. We are one of the nation’s oldest, most established Chambers. Our efforts have given rise to many important organizations. We are an independent nonprofit that works collaboratively with Chambers statewide and throughout the nation on economic prosperity for all.
Our History
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is one of the oldest business organizations in the state and the second oldest Chamber west of the Rockies. It all began in 1850 with 10 of Honolulu’s leading businessmen signing a constitution for a chamber of commerce. As it evolved, this organization came to play a major role in building Honolulu.
The California Gold Rush of 1848 created a demand for food and supplies from Honolulu and Hawaii’s business boom began. People and goods quickly began to flow back and forth between Honolulu and San Francisco ports. A small group of merchants realized that to secure the advantages the islands had to offer for commerce, they would need to stand together with common goals and policies for trade and commerce, along with addressing the concerns of the island community.
Our Accolades
Accredited State Chamber with Distinction
Spirit of Enterprise, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives State Chamber of the Year 2018
Council of State Chambers (COSC), Outstanding Achievement in Member Services 2019
Council of State Chamber (COSC), Outstanding Achievement in Political Engagement 2019
2014 Hawaii Army Society Ihe Award
2019 Hospice Hawaii Healthcare Organization of the Year – Oahu Healthcare Sector Partnership
Organizations We Helped Create
Retail Merchants of Hawaii (1901)
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau (1903)
Aloha United Way (1919)
Mental Health Association in Hawaii (1937)
Blood Bank of Hawaii (1941)
Tax Foundation of Hawaii (1945)
Better Business Bureau of Hawaii (1945)
Crime Stoppers Honolulu (1981)
Haku Alliance Association—Workers’ Compensation Coalition (1994)
“Buy Hawaii” Program (2001)
“Senior Projects” Mentoring Program (2009)
“Stay Active on Furlough Fridays” Program (2010)
Chamber “Young Professionals” Program (2011)
