Sumner La Croix

Understanding the Role of the Hawaii Film/TV/Digital Production Tax Credit In Diversifying the Hawaii Economy

By Sumner La Croix and James Mak Hawaii is one of 32 states in 2020 to offer a tax credit to film, TV, and digital productions through the Hawaii Motion Picture, Digital Media and Film Production Tax Credit (hereafter “film credit”). Since the passage of the film credit in 2006, spending in Hawaii on TV/film […]

Reviving Agriculture to Diversify Hawaii’s Economy

Hawaii state policymakers have identified agriculture as a sector capable of substantial expansion as part of the state’s efforts to diversify the economy. Agriculture has, however, been in decline in Hawaii for the last 40 years despite the presence of two state programs designed to keep lands in agriculture (the Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) program) […]

The Hawaii Research Activity Tax Credit: Is It Effective and How Can It Be Improved?

In 2013, the Hawaii State Legislature enacted a tax credit for Hawaii technology firms engaged in qualified research activities satisfying requirements for the federal research tax credit. After reviewing studies in the economics literature on the effectiveness of research tax credits in other states and countries, we conclude that a research tax credit can be […]

Unique pattern of COVID-19 infection in the State of Hawai‘i

UHERO’s Sumner La Croix and coauthors published “Unique pattern of COVID-19 infection in the State of Hawai‘i” in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, and find that Pacific Islanders are 4% of the population and almost 30% of COVID-19 cases, an epidemic within an epidemic in Hawai‘i. Miller FD, La Croix S, Brown T, Ramsey […]

Reopening Japanese Tourism in Hawaii: Is it Safe?

In this short policy brief, we aim to answer four questions. 1. Will Japanese tourists coming to Hawaii be COVID-19 free after taking a pre-departure PCR test? 2. Are some Japanese tourists likely to be infected in Hawaii and bring COVID-19 back to Japan? 3. Will the combination of a pre-departure test and a quarantine […]

Recovery to Resilience: Steps Toward the Post-COVID Economy

Wednesday, October 21, 8:00 am Register on Zoom and submit questions in advance HERE. Covid-19 has provoked the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and Hawai‘i now has the weakest economy in the nation, as a measure of GDP decline. Join us to discuss strategies to navigate the recession and set the stage for […]

UHERO’s Sumner La Croix on Island Focus

Prevention 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 […]

Sumner La Croix on diversifying Hawai’i’s economy