Forecasts
UHERO Forecasts provide the Hawaii community with analysis of economic trends in the State and the Asia-Pacific region.
UHERO State Forecast Update: Except for Weather, Outlook Shines
Hawaii’s economic outlook continues to look bright. Tourism is pushing toward new records, and the construction upswing is building in strength. The overall expansion remains solidly on track, delivering better labor market conditions and the prospect of further household income gains. Still, in the midst of this hot and soggy summer we are pondering some […]
Read MoreUHERO County Forecast: Neighbor Island Tourism Still Has Room to Grow
After a rather soft 2014, the counties are poised for better performance over the next several years. Tourism will see additional healthy gains on the Neighbor Islands for the next two years, before rising occupancy and costs begin to bring down growth rates, something that has already occurred on Oahu. Construction, which has disappointed so far, […]
Read MoreHawaii Construction Forecast: Construction Building Up
Last year’s construction gains were smaller than anticipated. Activity will ramp up a bit this year, as Kakaako condo building intensifies and new tourism-related projects add to the mix. The more attenuated schedule of rail building and lagging single-family development will generate a lower and later peak to the current construction cycle. A summary of […]
Read MoreUHERO State Forecast Update: Hawaii on Steady Course for 2015
The Hawaii economy in 2015 will look a lot like last year’s. Tourism will see only marginal gains, but steady labor market improvement will continue, and there will be moderate income growth. While not all damage from the past recession has been repaired, by many measures economic activity in the state is returning to normal. […]
Read MoreUHERO Asia-Pacific Forecast: Moderate Regional Growth Faces Rising Risks
The Asia-Pacific economy slowed this year, and only slight acceleration is expected in 2015. While US economic conditions are steadily improving, Japan has had to delay for now additional tax hikes after the first one prompted contraction. Lower oil prices will be an overall plus for the global economy, even if they pose challenges for […]
Read MoreUHERO State Forecast Update: Hawaii’s Economy In Need of An Engine
Prospects for Hawaii growth remain muted. Despite a pickup over the summer, visitor arrivals have been soft this year, and the period of robust visitor spending increases is behind us. A mixed global economic environment and limited visitor industry capacity will keep a lid on future gains. While the construction expansion continues, it does so […]
Read MoreAnnual Hawaii Forecast: Hawaii Growth Slows As Global Risks Rise
The stall in tourism has slowed the Hawaii economy, and no other sector has yet emerged to provide offsetting stimulus. Construction has been slow to take over as a growth driver, but this will change as we move into 2015. Barring adverse economic developments outside Hawaii, this should be sufficient to support restrained growth in […]
Read MoreUHERO County Forecast: Despite Lull in Tourism, County Expansions Continue
Moderate economic expansion will continue in each of Hawaii’s counties. Last year’s tourism weakness continued in the first quarter of this year, and incremental gains for 2014 will be slight. Beyond this year, available capacity will limit further visitor industry growth. The construction expansion has proceeded further on Oahu than the elsewhere in the state, […]
Read MoreHawaii Construction Forecast: Construction Upturn On Track
Hawaii’s construction expansion continues apace. New condo towers in Kakaako are spurring double-digit growth in permits for residential construction. A sharp rise in commercial construction, much of it in resort areas, is on the horizon. Public spending on infrastructure has also leapt upward, as the State works to address shortfalls that have built up in […]
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