Story by Chamber staff

A ranking can tell us where we are. It cannot tell us where we are going.

When CNBC released its America’s Top States for Business 2026 rankings earlier this month, Hawaii sat at No. 50 overall, moving down from No. 49 in 2025. While the ranking highlights serious challenges that require our attention, it also presents an opportunity to take an honest look at where we need to improve, recognize the progress already underway, and recommit to the work needed to build a stronger, more resilient Hawaii.

The question is not whether our state has the potential to succeed. We know it does. Hawaii remains one of the most desirable places in the country to live, maintaining its No. 6 ranking in quality of life. We also saw improvement in several areas, including economy (moving from No. 39 in 2025 to No. 24 in 2026), education (No. 42 to No. 34), access to capital (No. 48 to No. 44), and cost of living (No. 49 to No. 47).

At the same time, the data provides a clear picture of where we need to focus our collective efforts. We ranked No. 50 in infrastructure and cost of doing business, No. 49 in technology and innovation, and No. 43 in workforce. These challenges impact businesses’ ability to grow, residents’ ability to build a future in Hawaii, and our state’s ability to compete in an increasingly competitive economy.

These challenges did not emerge overnight, and they will not be solved through one legislative session or by any one organization. Improving Hawaii’s competitiveness requires sustained collaboration among businesses, policymakers, educators, nonprofits, and community partners who share a commitment to creating opportunity for future generations.

That shared commitment is the foundation of the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii.

The 2030 Blueprint is a statewide roadmap built through a collective impact model that brings together public, private, and civic partners around a common vision for Hawaii’s future. Its six economic pillars — 21st Century Agriculture, Economic Action, Military & Defense, Maritime, Small Business, and Tourism — recognize that Hawaii’s long-term resilience depends on a diversified economy, a prepared workforce, and an environment where businesses and communities can succeed.

The 2030 Blueprint is a roadmap for a stronger, more resilient Hawaii, and its priorities are reflected in some of the work already underway across the state. As a convener of businesses, policymakers, and community partners, the Chamber continues to support initiatives that align with the 2030 Blueprint’s goals and move Hawaii forward.

For housing and affordability, our Young Professionals Cost of Living Summit (this year on Oct. 15) is bringing together voices from across the community to address one of Hawaii’s most pressing challenges: brain drain. Employers cannot attract and retain talent if workers cannot afford to live here, and the cost of living isn’t just housing, it’s childcare, transportation, and the everyday expenses that determine whether a family can put down roots.

Childcare, in particular, has emerged as a critical workforce and economic issue. Its high cost and limited availability can push young families out of Hawaii altogether, or keep parents from fully participating in the workforce. The Chamber is working to bring employers, childcare advocates, policymakers, and community partners into that conversation, and to build it into existing programming, including the annual Employment Law Seminar presented by Torkildson Katz (this year on Aug. 7) and other workforce development initiatives, so businesses have real strategies for supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities.

For workforce development, the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development team is helping strengthen kindergarten-to-career pathways through initiatives like Sector Partnerships and Work-Based Learning. By connecting employers, educators, and students, these efforts help prepare the state’s workforce for current and future opportunities while creating clearer pathways for residents to succeed. This work also aligns with the Generational Workforce Commitment, a unified goal of the Workforce Development Council co-led by the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative and the Chamber, aiming to combat brain drain and ensure local keiki can build their future here in Hawaii.

For small businesses and entrepreneurs, access to resources and support can make the difference between surviving and growing. Through BizBoost, small businesses and nonprofits can access free expert assistance in areas such as legal, accounting, and finance support, including guidance on accessing federal funding opportunities. Through Small Business B(AI)sics, supported by a grant from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, local businesses are learning how to leverage artificial intelligence tools to improve operations and compete in a rapidly changing economy. The Chamber is also working to expand resources for those looking to start and grow businesses in Hawaii.

Innovation and diversification will also be critical to Hawaii’s future. Through partnerships with organizations such as HTDC and the work of the 2030 Blueprint, Hawaii is building pathways to strengthen industries beyond traditional economic drivers while supporting innovation across all sectors. One example is the Food and Product Innovation Network, which helps local producers scale value-added agricultural products for broader markets, work the Chamber supported through HB2459 HD2 and saw firsthand when major visitor industry partner Kyo-ya Management Company signed on to source locally.

Infrastructure and permitting remain areas where continued collaboration is needed. The Chamber has championed permitting reform through bill introductions and advocacy, and supported efforts like Rep. Greggor Ilagan’s SPEED Task Force as partners across the state push to modernize building codes, improve permitting transparency, and create a more efficient environment where projects can move forward.

The CNBC rankings provide important data, but they do not define Hawaii’s future … the people of Hawaii do. Those numbers are merely a measure of where we are today and an opportunity to focus our efforts on where we want to go.

Hawaii has never lacked talent, innovation, or determination. What we need is continued commitment to the long-term strategies that create opportunity for businesses, workers, and future generations. That means tackling the interconnected challenges that affect our competitiveness, from housing and infrastructure to workforce development and childcare. The 2030 Blueprint gives us that roadmap.

The future of Hawaii is a shared responsibility. Whether you are a business leader, policymaker, educator, community organization, or resident, there is a role for you in this work. Learn more about the 2030 Blueprint, connect with partners who are advancing its goals, and help build the future we all want to see.

Together, we can move Hawaii forward.

Learn more about the 2030 Blueprint.