Briefs
The Future of Travel and Tourism After the COVID-19 Pandemic And Implications for Hawaiʻi
Shortly after the start of the coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., CNN Business ran a story with the provocative headline: “The travel industry is suffering its worst shock since 9/11 because of coronavirus.” As the virus raced across the country though, COVID-19’s impact on the travel industry has turned out to be far worse than […]
Read MoreEconomic benefits of hydrologic services from watershed protection and restoration
Watershed protection and restoration provide a range of benefits including clean and ample water supplies, biodiversity, cultural connection to place, carbon sequestration, and a suite of other ecosystem services. Research by UHERO’s Environmental Policy and Planning Group demonstrates the economic benefits of native forest protection and restoration for groundwater recharge, pointing to the value of […]
Read MoreHow Can the State Government Restore Fiscal Balance?
The impact of COVID-19 and the efforts taken to contain it have led to a rapid deterioration in the state’s short- and medium-term fiscal outlooks. At its May 28 meeting, the State Council on Revenue (COR) cut its general fund tax revenue forecast for FY2020-FY2026 by almost $10 billion. The Hawaii Constitution requires the Legislature […]
Read MorePrevention of Travel-related Reintroduction of COVID-19 Infection in the State of Hawaii
This plan proposes to limit travel-related reintroduction of COVID-19 into Hawaii, averting further local transmission of the virus from travelers to the community. The plan is epidemiologically sound and conceptually straightforward. Air passengers cleared to travel by screening for specific markers will pose a much smaller risk of transmission to Hawaii residents. Individuals clearing both […]
Read MoreHawaii Tourism Authority and Sustainable Destination Management In Hawaii
The first rule in tourism development is that the wellbeing of destination residents must come first. Unfortunately, the majority of Hawaii residents now think that tourism in Hawaii is being run for tourists at the expense of local residents. The perception of being relegated to second class was first reported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) in […]
Read MoreHow to Control Hawaii’s Coronavirus Epidemic and Bring Back the Economy: The Next Steps
We spell out in detail how increased testing, comprehensive historical contact tracing, and isolation of exposed and infected individuals can lead to a rapid reduction in new infections and hospitalizations. Once this system has been put in place and has operated successfully for several weeks, we may begin to approach several measurable targets—number of new […]
Read MoreHerd Immunity or Containment through Test and Trace?
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has arrived and is spreading in Hawai’i. In an attempt to “flatten the curve,” we have closed schools and many workplaces, while the entire state shelters at home. As a result, the economy is contracting fast. While sufficiently flattening the curve is the […]
Read MoreUsing Extensive Testing and Geographical Isolation to Mitigate the Coronavirus Crisis in Hawaii
Hawaii needs to quickly adopt and implement a plan to control and then halt the spread of the coronavirus or the cost in terms of lives and damage to the economy will be catastrophic. The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic had an infection rate of 28% and a death rate of 2.5% for the infected population. […]
Read MoreCharting a New Fiscal Course for Hawaii: A Fiscal Architecture Approach
The Hawai’i Executive Conference (HEC)’s recent report, Troubled Waters: Charting a New Fiscal Course For Hawaii, makes a compelling case for the Hawaii community to focus on “the future fiscal capacity of Hawaii state and local governments.” HEC examines three public expenditure challenges totaling $88.4 billion that residents will likely face over the next thirty […]
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