Steven Bond-Smith
Publication: Diversifying Hawai‘i’s Specialized Economy: A Spatial Economic Perspective
Abstract: Specialization in tourism exposes the economy of Hawai‘i to external shocks that trigger collapses in tourist numbers. Furthermore, Hawai‘i’s economic growth has diminished for decades as the dominance of tourism has not generated productivity growth. In response, policy makers in Hawai‘i increasingly emphasize diversification. This article examines a spatial economics perspective to explain why […]
Read MoreHawaii’s long-term economic recovery after COVID-19
By Steven Bond-Smith The following is adapted from a speech I recently gave at the Western Regional Science Association meetings on the Big Island. My research focuses on the implications of theoretical regional economic models for small and isolated places, like Hawaii. These are places where distance matters such that they are generally unable to […]
Read MoreSteven Bond-Smith receives the Spring 2023 CSS Research Support Award
Congratulations to UHERO’s Steven Bond-Smith for receiving CSS research support funding for his project titled “Is Hawaii Being Left Behind?” Each year, the College of Social Sciences (CSS) announces the availability of funds to support faculty efforts to develop and submit a nationally competitive research grant proposal. These funds are from overhead monies (RTRF) generated […]
Read MorePublication: The effects of the pandemic on the economy of Hawaii
Abstract: Hawaii was vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic due to its reliance on tourism. This article analyzes the pandemic’s economic impact in Hawaii by comparing outcomes with the pre-pandemic forecast. We explain why Hawaii’s experience differed from other states, suggest reasons for a slow recovery, and discuss the pandemic’s lasting effects. Bond-Smith, Steven, and Peter […]
Read MoreThe work-from-home revolution and the performance of cities
In this paper we set out the relationships between the behavioural, technological and spatial changes in systems that allow for heterogeneous responses to working-from-home by different types of actors, and also identifies the channels via which such changes take place. Unlike all other papers on the subject, the analytical framework we propose centers explicitly on […]
Read MoreDiversifying Hawai‘i’s specialized economy: A spatial economic perspective
Specialization in tourism exposes the economy of Hawai‘i to external shocks that trigger collapses in tourist numbers. Furthermore, Hawai‘i’s economic growth has diminished for decades as the dominance of tourism has not generated productivity growth. In response, policy-makers in Hawai‘i increasingly emphasize diversification. This article examines a spatial economics perspective to explain why Hawai‘i is […]
Read MoreThe effects of the pandemic on the economy of Hawaii
The economy of Hawaii was extremely vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic due to its heavy reliance on tourism. This article is a thorough survey of issues affecting a tourism-dependent open economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the pandemic’s economic impact in Hawaii by comparing the actual outcomes during the affected […]
Read MoreIs O‘ahu’s new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy strategic enough?
By Steven Bond-Smith The draft O‘ahu Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for 2022-2026 is now out for public comment. The importance of the CEDS is highlighted by its requirement as a prerequisite for receiving funding from the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. It is also required to […]
Read MoreEconomic Impact of Astronomy in Hawai‘i: 2019 Update
Astronomy continues to be a sizable and stabilizing source of economic activity. In 2019, local astronomy related expenditures in the state totaled $110.02 million with $57.18 million, $35.22 million, $0.28 million, and $17.33 million spent in Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Kaua‘i, and Maui counties respectively. Including indirect and induced benefits and adjusting for inter-county feedback effects, the […]
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