Economy
Japanese Investment in Hawaii: Past and Future
The volume of Japanese direct investments in Hawaii surged during the late 1980s. This corresponds to the rapid expansion of Japanese overseas investment in general with the sharp rise of the yen value vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar after the 1985 Plaza Accord. Between 1985 and 1995, Japanese invested no less than $12 billion in Hawaii […]
Read MoreUHERO Hawai’i Quarterly Forecast Update: Cooling Economy Faces U.S. Headwinds
The weakening U.S. economy and the persistence of high energy prices lead us to mark down a bit our Hawai’i growth estimates for the end of this year and 2008. However, we do not yet see an end to the current long economic expansion. Moderate job growth will continue next year, and real income will […]
Read MoreEnvironmental Resources and Economic Growth
This chapter assesses the nature and degree of environmental degradation and resource depletion in China and their relationship to economic activity and environmental policies. We describe regulatory and other policies and consider their governmental economy determinants. Inasmuch as this objective can only be partially achieved, we hope to contribute to a research agenda for environmental […]
Read MoreUHERO Global Economic Forecast: Faltering American Economy Will Cause Global Slowing
The world economy began to slow in 2007, after peaking at nearly 4% growth in real gross world product in 2006. Slowing has been centered in the developed world, particularly in North America, where contraction in U.S. residential investment and fallout from the sub-prime mortgage collapse is taking a substantial toll. So far this weakness […]
Read MoreUHERO Hawai’i Quarterly Forecast Update: Mainland Woes Pose Risks for Visitor Sector
Moderate economic expansion is expected to continue in Hawai’i for the remainder of the year, with further slowing into 2008 and 2009. The visitor industry will continue to be challenged by a weak American mainland economy. Despite recent financial market turmoil, Hawai’i’s construction industry continues to settle toward a soft landing. Fallout from mainland housing […]
Read MoreUHERO Annual Hawai’i Construction Forecast: Despite Credit Concerns, Soft Landing Expected
Despite concerns related to recent financial market turmoil, Hawai’i’s construction industry still appears to be poised for a soft landing. Growth in real contracting receipts will slow in 2007 and turn negative in 2008-09, with hotel renovation and industrial and commercial construction providing a stabilizing influence in the face of a steadily weakening residential sector. […]
Read MoreUHERO Hawai’i Quarterly Forecast Update: Another Year with No Visitor Growth
The poor start for tourism and a restrained external outlook means that the visitor industry can expect to see no annual growth this year, and perhaps a slight decline. Construction slowing continues, although a late surge in non-residential activity will help to moderate the cycle. Slowing in the broader economy will proceed in the face […]
Read MoreUHERO County Economic Forecast: County Economies Steadily Slowing
The overall outlook for Hawai‘i’s county economies is for continued slowing along a path that has been evident since at least the middle of 2005. The pace of slowing will vary, depending on relative stage in the construction cycle, health of each county’s tourism market, and other factors. By 2008, it is expected that each […]
Read MoreUHERO Hawai’i Construction Forecast: Surge in Nonresidential Building Sustains Cycle
Hawai‘i’s construction cycle is near or past its peak,depending on which sector you look at. While the homebuilding peak occurred in 2005-06, the peak in nonresidential construction is likely in 2007 or 2008. The end of this cycle will be characterized by a slow decline in total real construction spending, but continued increase in the […]
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