ECD Committee

During 2003-2004, I’m chairing the Senate Economic Development Committee. The prospects of war in the far East or middle East will disrupt Hawaii’s visitor industry-based economy, and the committee focus will be on the best ways to expand opportunities for Hawaii’s small businesses. Key topics include proposals to reduce business costs, provide tax incentives for job growth and workforce skills upgrades.

We’ll also work with other committees like Science, Arts and Technology (SAT) or Health (HTH) to explore the potential of growing emerging areas like the biotech industry, film/digital media, health care/wellness services in Hawaii, and agri-tourism.

Building on the foundation we developed to grow Hawaii’s New Economy (1997-2000), our committee will also identify the best ways to track our progress in expanding Hawaii’s competitiveness in 21st century global markets.

In January 2003, the Senate’s Economic Development (ECD) and Science, Arts and Technology (SAT) committees held a series of joint informational briefings to hear from knowledgeable resource people in a number of these industries. Links to their presentations are identified in the box to the right.