2023 PRIORITIES

2023 Position Statements

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce works to enhance the quality of life for our community through a strong, sustainable economy on Hawaiʻi Island. The purpose of this comprehensive list is to streamline our annual advocacy efforts with pre-approved positions.

(Alphabetical order by category)

AGRICULTURE & AQUACULTURE

• Support initiatives that promote, protect and provide for the local agriculture industry.
• Support West Hawaiʻi’s aquaculture industry that includes algae and fish production.
• Support financing opportunities for agriculture and aquaculture.
• Support federal designations to create more opportunities for Hawaiʻi agriculture and aquaculture.
• Support ‘Buy Local’ and other initiatives that boost local agriculture businesses.
• Support Kona coffee, cattle and other diversified agriculture in West Hawaiʻi.
• Support programs for disease and pest prevention for farmers.

ASTRONOMY & MAUNAKEA

• Support culture, science, education and environmental stewardship on Maunakea.
• Support the astronomy industry on Maunakea noting significant scientific discovery, global leadership, educational outreach, workforce pipelines, jobs and economic impact.
• Support a smooth management transition from University of Hawaiʻi to the new Mauna Kea Stewardship & Oversight Authority.
• Support the State of Hawaiʻi lease renewal and observatory lease renewals on Maunakea.
• Support the development and future operations of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
• Support the Rule of Law to keep Mauna Kea Access Road open and allow access.
• Support a concept of sharing Maunakea for all.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE

• Support growth of Hawai‘i Community College-Pālamanui campus, programs and workforce development.
• Support the University Center, West Hawai‘i in providing expanded access to higher education for the community.
• Support and promote University of Hawai‘i Hilo in West Hawai‘i that includes research opportunities.
• Support the Department of Education (DOE) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) and their relationship to local businesses and workforce development.
• Support educational programs that feed directly into the region’s key industries including the visitor industry, agriculture, aquaculture, astronomy, aviation, business, education, healthcare, marine and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & math) endeavors.
• Support educational initiatives that promote workforce skills.
• Support workforce development, training, mentoring and internship programs.
• Support increased and expanded childcare programs and services for West Hawai‘i.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

• Support programs that reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Support improvements to Hawai‘i Island’s waste management system.
• Recognize climate change impacts and support measures addressing this issue.
• Support initiatives that promote clean coastlines, coral reef health and ocean conservation.
• Support energy efficiency measures.
• Support renewable, reliable and affordable energy solutions including geothermal.
• Support the State of Hawai‘i’s Clean Energy goals - 100% clean energy by 2045.
• Support initiatives that address and manage invasive species.
• Support initiatives that encourage indigenous re-forestation.
• Support improvements and expansion for Hawai‘i County’s mass transit system.

GOVERNMENT

• Support improvements and efficiency to Hawai‘i County’s permitting, planning and regulatory processes.
• Support improvements in permitting, regulation and enforcement of Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) on Hawai‘i Island.
• Support oversight of government processes including accountability, efficiency, transparency, and fund collection and distribution.
• Examine minimum wage legislation in the State of Hawai‘i to determine the impact on businesses, especially the small business community.
• Support pro-business initiatives.
• Challenge increased taxes on business.
• Support the planning, design and construction of a new State office building in West Hawai‘i to provide better government services, accessibility and jobs.
• Monitor Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in regards to Honokōhau and Kawaihae Harbors and marine life site management in West Hawaiʻi.
• Support a state requirement for commercial marine tour guides to be trained as lifeguards or equivalent to increase passenger safety.
• Support improvements to State of Hawai‘i’s State Parks and Trail Systems.
• Support federal, state and county programs that provide immediate relief to homeless.
• Support the U.S. military’s training mission and land retention at Pōhakuloa Training Area.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Support increased and expanded health care services for West Hawai‘i.
• Encourage programs and incentives to attract more providers and collaborate with community entities.
• Support Kona Community Hospital improvements and initiatives.
• Advocate for a new hospital in North Kona.
• Support a consistent and effective approach to medical crises such as COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
• Support increased prevention and stabilization services for substance abuse.
• Support increased behavioral health treatment and recovery in West Hawaiʻi.
• Promote health, wellness and behavioral health initiatives for businesses and the community.

HOUSING

• Support housing projects at all inventory levels and associated infrastructure.
• Support innovative housing methodologies.

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Support re-zoning of agricultural land that is not suited for that use to more useful purposes.
• Support increased broadband infrastructure development for Hawai‘i Island.
• Support improvements to increase efficiency and capacity of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole.
• Support the Saddle Road Extension to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.
• Support funding and improvements for Honokōhau and Kawaihae Harbors.
• Finish the last section of the Ane Keohokālole Highway from Hina Lani to Kaiminani.
• Support building all phases of Kukuiola Emergency Shelter in West Hawaiʻi.
• Encourage walk and bicycle paths for all roads.

INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

• Support initiatives and policies that promote business innovation and economic diversity.
• Encourage entrepreneurial endeavors and small business development.
• Support growth of Hawai‘i’s technology industry to foster innovation, diversify the island’s economy and provide quality, high paying jobs. 
• Support the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA) that promotes innovative business development and provides unique resources for existing businesses in its Hawai‘i Ocean Science and Technology Park.
• Recognize that West Hawai‘i’s visitor industry was created to diversify the economy and currently fosters large and small businesses development along with local entrepreneurship in West Hawai‘i.                                    

VISITOR INDUSTRY

• Recognize that West Hawai‘i’s visitor industry drives the local economy through large and small business opportunity, jobs, capital investment and taxes.
• Evaluate proposed user fees for visitors.
• Support Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) and the implementation and promotion of Hawai‘i Island’s Destination Management Action Plan.
• Promote Hawai‘i Island’s Pono Pledge.

WATER DEVELOPMENT

• Support fresh water resource development, preservation, maintenance and protection in West Hawaiʻi.
• Encourage streamlining government regulation to provide predictability for development.
• Monitor DLNR and the Commission on Water Resource Management in regards to well development in West Hawai‘i.
• Support more access to water for irrigation and agriculture.
• Support wastewater development, reclamation and recycling in West Hawaiʻi.

Board Approved November 22, 2022