Economy Articles
Economic Education’s Roller Coaster Ride In Hawaii, 1965-2006
Abstract: During the early 1960s a few of Hawaii’s public high schools began to offer economics courses, and they gradually became popular social studies electives. By 1999, over 46% of public high school seniors completed a one-semester course in economics. From this peak, enrollment rates would plummet to just 11% in 2003, before rebounding to […]
Read MoreAnnual Hawai’i Forecast: After Sharp Drop, Recovery Will Take Time
The next several years will be difficult ones for Hawai’i businesses and households. The visitor industry will languish, as the deepest global recession in decades continues to undermine travel demand.
Read MoreThe Contribution of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa to Hawai‘i’s Economy in 2007
The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UHM) had its beginnings in 1907 as a college of agriculture and mechanical arts. In 1912, the first permanent building was erected in Manoa valley in UHM’s current location. With the establishment of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1920, the College of Hawai‘i became a university. Statehood […]
Read MoreHawai’i Construction Forecast Update: Global Downturn Hammers Construction
The global credit crisis and deepening recession have materially worsened prospects for the Hawai’i construction industry. Commercial and resort building are in retreat, hampered by a bleak national outlook and financing constraints. The residential construction downturn will continue as income and wealth losses undermine housing demand. We now expect a deeper adjustment in the local […]
Read MoreUHERO partners with KITV News
UHERO has launched a new partnership with KITV, the ABC network affiliate in Honolulu. Every Friday at 6:35 a.m., the KITV 4 Island Television News Morning Show will feature the UHERO Report, an analysis of the week’s local, national and global economic news. Morning Show hosts Dan Maisenzahl and Mahealani Richardson will interview an economist […]
Read MoreUHERO Hawai’i Quarterly Forecast Update: Weak Growth Expected in New Year
Prospects are good for an early-2010 return to growth in Hawai’i. Recent data suggest we are past the trough of the visitor industry downturn, and gradual improvement will occur as the global recovery takes hold. The construction cycle is expected to bottom out late next year. After steep losses, most industries will begin to start […]
Read MoreThe Passenger Vessel Services Act and America’s Cruise Tourism Industry working paper
The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), a 123-year old cabotage law, attempts to shield U.S. maritime shipping from foreign competition. It also applies to the U.S. cruise ship industry. The PVSA requires foreign cruise ships that carry passengers between U.S. ports to also stop at foreign ports. Norwegian Cruise Line America (NCLA), which operates one […]
Read MoreTaxing Timeshare Occupancy
In this paper, we evaluate the manner in which timeshare occupancy is taxed in the State of Hawaii. Our objective is to ascertain how best to design a timeshare occupancy tax that treats all types of visitor accommodations equitably and enhances tourism’s net economic benefit to Hawaii’s residents. In particular, we address two concerns. First, […]
Read MoreHawai’i Quarterly Forecast Update: No Quick Recovery from Hawai’i Recession
The global financial crisis and widening global downturn have materially worsened prospects for the Hawai’i economy. Economic conditions are now poor in virtually every visitor market, and as a result we expect the current sharp tourism downturn to continue well into next year, with no significant recovery until 2010. Moderate contraction of the construction industry […]
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