Economic Development
I. AN IMPROVED ECONOMY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to work with business, government and education to develop programs and systems which will result in a healthy economy on Maui.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce works actively with Boards, Commissions and Committees to foster greater working relationships between the public and private sector. These include MEDB (Maui Economic Development Board), MEO (Maui Economic Opportunities), Trade Missions, County Council, and the Planning Commission. The Chamber also lobbies at the State Legislature to promote a healthy economy. The Chamber endorses supporting similar organizations, i.e., the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii State Chamber of Commerce, other ethnic Chambers of Commerce, Main Street Association, etc.
II. THE MAUI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The Maui Chamber of Commerce continues to support and work in partnership with the Maui Economic Development Board.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Economic Development Board has been successful in the development and management of the Maui Research and Technology Park. This park has attracted new businesses in the high technology industry, thereby creating some 315 high paying opportunities for our community. MEDB has also been very successful in forming partnerships and attracting project dollars to stimulate economic development in other industries such as agriculture. We support a growing partnership between our organization and MEDB in order to ensure training and funding for new and existing businesses.
III. MARKETING HAWAII’S BUSINESS CLIMATE
The Maui Chamber of Commerce endorses the efforts of the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism of the State of Hawaii to establish a generic program aimed at marketing Hawaii as a place to do business.
Supporting Statement
Efforts to increase awareness of Hawaii as a place to do business presents numerous opportunities for joint cooperation between public and private sectors. It is important, however, to continue to emphasize the need for County and State governments to enact new policies and Legislation aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in this State. In assessing Hawaii as a place to do business, it is important that a true picture of the business climate be provided.
IV. IMPROVED ECONOMIC DATA
The Maui Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the efforts of Maui Economic Development Board to publish and maintain data and statistics on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai collectively and separately and make same available to the public in a cost effective manner.
Supporting Statement
The current practice of Honolulu-based firms of reporting their Maui sales activity through home offices on Oahu obscures true economic data for Maui County. The Chamber of Commerce urges the State to develop data showing sales on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Our existing businesses need sales data as well as other data to build their own plans and to justify financial requirements with banks and other lenders. Potential businesses need the data to support the profitability of their proposed ventures and to properly assess their economic potential in evaluating Maui as a place to do business.
V. BUSINESS RESEARCH LIBRARY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the continued funding of the Business Research Library.
Supporting Statement
The Business Research Library, housed at the Maui Research and Technology Park, provides a valuable research tool to new and existing businesses in Maui County and the State. As the library’s services to business grows, we encourage both State and County funding until it attains a self sustaining level.
VI. ECONOMIC LITERACY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to promote economic literacy and understanding of business and private enterprise among American youth through such programs as Junior Achievement, DECA and other activities.
Supporting Statement
The mission of Junior Achievement is to promote economic literacy and understanding of business and private enterprise among American youth. Success is achieved through partnership of business and education leaders who provide practical and realistic education and experience in the competitive private enterprise system. This is facilitated through high-quality, in-depth programs which include business simulation, dialogue and leadership development.
VII. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the development of programs to train entrepreneurs, assist new business startups, provide capital for small business ventures and provide on-going counseling for small business owners. The Maui Chamber supports government efforts to reduce regulations and policies that restrict new business formation and operations.
Supporting Statement
The sugar and pineapple industries are mature. Tourism is subject to sudden contractions. No major upswing is in sight for construction in government or business sectors. To balance its economy, Maui needs up to 10,000 new jobs in businesses that are not dependent on tourism. For a growing, healthy economy, Maui will have to substantially increase its rate of new business formation over the next ten years.
Most new businesses are small businesses and small businesses create the majority of new jobs. The Maui Chamber of Commerce works actively with community, educational and government agencies and organizations to encourage entrepreneurs and foster the development of new businesses. The Maui Chamber of Commerce develops programs to support its small business members and lobbies at the State Legislature to provide a supportive climate for new business development.
There are about 68,000 jobs on the island. With 12,000 jobs in hotels and 14,000 in retail, at least 20,000 jobs are sensitive to swings in tourism. It will take at least 10,000 non-tourist jobs to buffer the dips. To create 10,000 jobs over a ten year period at least 1,000 stable new jobs are needed per year.
There are about 3,500 business establishments on the island with an average of 12 employees each. 800 plus new non-tourist businesses are needed over the 10 years to get 10,000 jobs. Since 4 out of 5 new businesses are gone within five years, the actual need is to start 4,000 new businesses over this period or 400 a year. The average annual increase in business establishments since 1987 is 142.
VIII. ALOHA SPIRIT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce encourages all business and government to respect and pursue continued focus on the meaning and practice of “Aloha Spirit”.
Supporting Statement
The Aloha Spirit is the affirmation of the unique interpersonal harmony the people of Maui enjoy; this spirit of friendliness and welcome is one of the special qualities that visitors to Maui most enjoy.
Members of the Maui Chamber of Commerce have long recognized that the encouragement to continue and expand this spirit in every possible manner among their employees has not only lubricated their organizational operations, but has increased production and decreased employee dissatisfaction and turnover. Sharing of the Aloha Spirit can be enhanced by improving communication among employees for whom English is not their native language. The extension of the Aloha Spirit is a positive asset for staff and sales personnel who have repeatedly demonstrated that this spirit can be the difference to making the sale or losing the customer to friendlier competition. Maui customers are drawn to those Maui Chamber of Commerce member establishments who offer quality goods and aloha service-and they return year after year.
IX. PRODUCT LIABILITY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce believes legislation regarding product liability and warranties should be enacted at the federal level.
Supporting Statement
The law on product liability and warranties is of crucial importance to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. The plethora of widely differing state laws on the subject cause some major compliance problems. Also, courts in many states have made large awards based on assorted subjective grounds, including emotional distress. Congressional action is necessary to enact the uniform and fair set of standards that is badly needed. Until preemptive federal legislation is enacted, the Chamber will take positions on State Legislation on a case-by-case basis.
X. BANKRUPTCY REFORM
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports federal legislation to reform the nation’s bankruptcy laws.
Supporting Statement
Lenient federal bankruptcy laws have resulted in unduly lax treatment of debtors and caused billions of dollars in losses for business. Mounting bad debts have seriously affected many businesses, and their impact has also been felt by consumers who eventually foot the bills. Comprehensive reform is necessary.
XI. SMALL TOWN REVITALIZATION
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the revitalization of our County’s small towns.
Supporting Statement
Maui County is made up of a number of “small towns,” with their own unique cultural character and charm. Each of these “small towns” hosts a number of small businesses offering goods and services to their residents and visitors. The Chamber also recognizes that each of these “small towns” have individual problems to confront; i.e., drugs, transient and homeless populations, antiquated infrastructure, parking and traffic. We encourage partnerships between business, County administration, police, community organizations, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce to seek solutions and encourage the economic welfare of our “small towns”.
XII. ENTERPRISE ZONES
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports Enterprise Zones.
Supporting Statement
We support the County’s and State’s efforts to designate enterprise zones throughout Maui County. By encouraging incentives for small business our community will benefit from new job creation; less demands on social services; and, in the long term, a healthy economic climate.
XIII. MARKETING
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need for continued State and County funding of the Maui Visitors Bureau sufficient to support the current needs and future viability of Maui’s visitor industry.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce commends the Maui Visitors Bureau for showing considerable resolve in targeting the world-class, repeat visitor as the major focus of their promotional activity. With the role that the visitor industry plays in Maui’s economy today, new visitors from new markets are needed. The visitor industry is a volatile business, and unless watched and nurtured carefully with adequate funds, it could suffer in the long term in competition with other statewide, national, and international destination areas.
XIV. PRIORITY ESTABLISHMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce urges the community, private sector, County of Maui and State of Hawaii to establish priorities that will protect and secure Maui’s place as a world class destination.
A. Rejuvenate the physical plant;
B. Extend the runway at Kahului Airport to 9,600 ft. to accommodate present and future requirements of the travel industry and aircraft of the future;
C. Improve, maintain and add to the infrastructure as required in a timely manner: highways, airports, harbors, water, sewer, parks and recreation facilities;
D. Motivate island residents to be more concerned about a clean and beautiful Maui, and encourage, develop and promote the Aloha Spirit for residents, industry employees and visitors.
E. Continue to aggressively pursue and adequately fund a marketing campaign aimed at new visitor markets
F. Encourage and support the visitor industry’s efforts to preserve and protect the environment and quality of life for residents and visitors.
G. Immediate action should be taken to focus on achieving and maintaining occupancy levels necessary for the economic viability of our existing visitor plant.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce recognizes that Maui is at a phase of its tourism development that the number of arrivals can no longer be predicted with the measurable degree of confidence that they were in the earlier phases of consistently high growth.
Because growth in visitor numbers no longer comes automatically, the Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to consolidate past gains and strive to maintain those marketing principles which led to Maui’s success as a world-class destination.
XV. GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports growth which promotes the quality of life in Maui County and enhances the attractiveness of Maui as a visitors’ destination. It is the Chamber’s position that development should occur only in conjunction with the planning process (including the General Plan, community Plans, and implementations plans). Future development should also be coordinated with the development of adequate physical and social infrastructure. The Maui Chamber of Commerce is opposed to unilateral governmental moratoria.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to work with business, government and education to develop programs and systems which will result in a healthy economy on Maui.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce works actively with Boards, Commissions and Committees to foster greater working relationships between the public and private sector. These include MEDB (Maui Economic Development Board), MEO (Maui Economic Opportunities), Trade Missions, County Council, and the Planning Commission. The Chamber also lobbies at the State Legislature to promote a healthy economy. The Chamber endorses supporting similar organizations, i.e., the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii State Chamber of Commerce, other ethnic Chambers of Commerce, Main Street Association, etc.
II. THE MAUI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The Maui Chamber of Commerce continues to support and work in partnership with the Maui Economic Development Board.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Economic Development Board has been successful in the development and management of the Maui Research and Technology Park. This park has attracted new businesses in the high technology industry, thereby creating some 315 high paying opportunities for our community. MEDB has also been very successful in forming partnerships and attracting project dollars to stimulate economic development in other industries such as agriculture. We support a growing partnership between our organization and MEDB in order to ensure training and funding for new and existing businesses.
III. MARKETING HAWAII’S BUSINESS CLIMATE
The Maui Chamber of Commerce endorses the efforts of the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism of the State of Hawaii to establish a generic program aimed at marketing Hawaii as a place to do business.
Supporting Statement
Efforts to increase awareness of Hawaii as a place to do business presents numerous opportunities for joint cooperation between public and private sectors. It is important, however, to continue to emphasize the need for County and State governments to enact new policies and Legislation aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in this State. In assessing Hawaii as a place to do business, it is important that a true picture of the business climate be provided.
IV. IMPROVED ECONOMIC DATA
The Maui Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the efforts of Maui Economic Development Board to publish and maintain data and statistics on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai collectively and separately and make same available to the public in a cost effective manner.
Supporting Statement
The current practice of Honolulu-based firms of reporting their Maui sales activity through home offices on Oahu obscures true economic data for Maui County. The Chamber of Commerce urges the State to develop data showing sales on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Our existing businesses need sales data as well as other data to build their own plans and to justify financial requirements with banks and other lenders. Potential businesses need the data to support the profitability of their proposed ventures and to properly assess their economic potential in evaluating Maui as a place to do business.
V. BUSINESS RESEARCH LIBRARY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the continued funding of the Business Research Library.
Supporting Statement
The Business Research Library, housed at the Maui Research and Technology Park, provides a valuable research tool to new and existing businesses in Maui County and the State. As the library’s services to business grows, we encourage both State and County funding until it attains a self sustaining level.
VI. ECONOMIC LITERACY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to promote economic literacy and understanding of business and private enterprise among American youth through such programs as Junior Achievement, DECA and other activities.
Supporting Statement
The mission of Junior Achievement is to promote economic literacy and understanding of business and private enterprise among American youth. Success is achieved through partnership of business and education leaders who provide practical and realistic education and experience in the competitive private enterprise system. This is facilitated through high-quality, in-depth programs which include business simulation, dialogue and leadership development.
VII. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the development of programs to train entrepreneurs, assist new business startups, provide capital for small business ventures and provide on-going counseling for small business owners. The Maui Chamber supports government efforts to reduce regulations and policies that restrict new business formation and operations.
Supporting Statement
The sugar and pineapple industries are mature. Tourism is subject to sudden contractions. No major upswing is in sight for construction in government or business sectors. To balance its economy, Maui needs up to 10,000 new jobs in businesses that are not dependent on tourism. For a growing, healthy economy, Maui will have to substantially increase its rate of new business formation over the next ten years.
Most new businesses are small businesses and small businesses create the majority of new jobs. The Maui Chamber of Commerce works actively with community, educational and government agencies and organizations to encourage entrepreneurs and foster the development of new businesses. The Maui Chamber of Commerce develops programs to support its small business members and lobbies at the State Legislature to provide a supportive climate for new business development.
There are about 68,000 jobs on the island. With 12,000 jobs in hotels and 14,000 in retail, at least 20,000 jobs are sensitive to swings in tourism. It will take at least 10,000 non-tourist jobs to buffer the dips. To create 10,000 jobs over a ten year period at least 1,000 stable new jobs are needed per year.
There are about 3,500 business establishments on the island with an average of 12 employees each. 800 plus new non-tourist businesses are needed over the 10 years to get 10,000 jobs. Since 4 out of 5 new businesses are gone within five years, the actual need is to start 4,000 new businesses over this period or 400 a year. The average annual increase in business establishments since 1987 is 142.
VIII. ALOHA SPIRIT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce encourages all business and government to respect and pursue continued focus on the meaning and practice of “Aloha Spirit”.
Supporting Statement
The Aloha Spirit is the affirmation of the unique interpersonal harmony the people of Maui enjoy; this spirit of friendliness and welcome is one of the special qualities that visitors to Maui most enjoy.
Members of the Maui Chamber of Commerce have long recognized that the encouragement to continue and expand this spirit in every possible manner among their employees has not only lubricated their organizational operations, but has increased production and decreased employee dissatisfaction and turnover. Sharing of the Aloha Spirit can be enhanced by improving communication among employees for whom English is not their native language. The extension of the Aloha Spirit is a positive asset for staff and sales personnel who have repeatedly demonstrated that this spirit can be the difference to making the sale or losing the customer to friendlier competition. Maui customers are drawn to those Maui Chamber of Commerce member establishments who offer quality goods and aloha service-and they return year after year.
IX. PRODUCT LIABILITY
The Maui Chamber of Commerce believes legislation regarding product liability and warranties should be enacted at the federal level.
Supporting Statement
The law on product liability and warranties is of crucial importance to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. The plethora of widely differing state laws on the subject cause some major compliance problems. Also, courts in many states have made large awards based on assorted subjective grounds, including emotional distress. Congressional action is necessary to enact the uniform and fair set of standards that is badly needed. Until preemptive federal legislation is enacted, the Chamber will take positions on State Legislation on a case-by-case basis.
X. BANKRUPTCY REFORM
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports federal legislation to reform the nation’s bankruptcy laws.
Supporting Statement
Lenient federal bankruptcy laws have resulted in unduly lax treatment of debtors and caused billions of dollars in losses for business. Mounting bad debts have seriously affected many businesses, and their impact has also been felt by consumers who eventually foot the bills. Comprehensive reform is necessary.
XI. SMALL TOWN REVITALIZATION
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the revitalization of our County’s small towns.
Supporting Statement
Maui County is made up of a number of “small towns,” with their own unique cultural character and charm. Each of these “small towns” hosts a number of small businesses offering goods and services to their residents and visitors. The Chamber also recognizes that each of these “small towns” have individual problems to confront; i.e., drugs, transient and homeless populations, antiquated infrastructure, parking and traffic. We encourage partnerships between business, County administration, police, community organizations, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce to seek solutions and encourage the economic welfare of our “small towns”.
XII. ENTERPRISE ZONES
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports Enterprise Zones.
Supporting Statement
We support the County’s and State’s efforts to designate enterprise zones throughout Maui County. By encouraging incentives for small business our community will benefit from new job creation; less demands on social services; and, in the long term, a healthy economic climate.
XIII. MARKETING
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need for continued State and County funding of the Maui Visitors Bureau sufficient to support the current needs and future viability of Maui’s visitor industry.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce commends the Maui Visitors Bureau for showing considerable resolve in targeting the world-class, repeat visitor as the major focus of their promotional activity. With the role that the visitor industry plays in Maui’s economy today, new visitors from new markets are needed. The visitor industry is a volatile business, and unless watched and nurtured carefully with adequate funds, it could suffer in the long term in competition with other statewide, national, and international destination areas.
XIV. PRIORITY ESTABLISHMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce urges the community, private sector, County of Maui and State of Hawaii to establish priorities that will protect and secure Maui’s place as a world class destination.
A. Rejuvenate the physical plant;
B. Extend the runway at Kahului Airport to 9,600 ft. to accommodate present and future requirements of the travel industry and aircraft of the future;
C. Improve, maintain and add to the infrastructure as required in a timely manner: highways, airports, harbors, water, sewer, parks and recreation facilities;
D. Motivate island residents to be more concerned about a clean and beautiful Maui, and encourage, develop and promote the Aloha Spirit for residents, industry employees and visitors.
E. Continue to aggressively pursue and adequately fund a marketing campaign aimed at new visitor markets
F. Encourage and support the visitor industry’s efforts to preserve and protect the environment and quality of life for residents and visitors.
G. Immediate action should be taken to focus on achieving and maintaining occupancy levels necessary for the economic viability of our existing visitor plant.
Supporting Statement
The Maui Chamber of Commerce recognizes that Maui is at a phase of its tourism development that the number of arrivals can no longer be predicted with the measurable degree of confidence that they were in the earlier phases of consistently high growth.
Because growth in visitor numbers no longer comes automatically, the Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the need to consolidate past gains and strive to maintain those marketing principles which led to Maui’s success as a world-class destination.
XV. GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports growth which promotes the quality of life in Maui County and enhances the attractiveness of Maui as a visitors’ destination. It is the Chamber’s position that development should occur only in conjunction with the planning process (including the General Plan, community Plans, and implementations plans). Future development should also be coordinated with the development of adequate physical and social infrastructure. The Maui Chamber of Commerce is opposed to unilateral governmental moratoria.