How much money is being spent on ICT

developments in Hawaii? How much money is being spent on ICT

developments in Hawaii in comparison to tourism? How is the recent focus on ICT developments

affecting the lives of Hawaii residents? Are there any common goals shared among Hawaii

residents, technological organizations, and the tourism authorities in regards to Hawaii’s economic future?

Transitions in Hawaii’s Economy: Agriculture to Tourism

Last 50 years– From agriculture to tourism

• 1999: 15% of Hawaii’s workforce was made up of agricultural jobs

• 2003: Less than 2% of Hawaii’s workforce was made up of agricultural jobs

Today– Hawaii continues to spend an average of 60 million dollars

per year on tourism advertising

Latest Transition in Hawaii’s Economy: Tourism to Technology

Why technological developments?– Hawaii’s geographical location serves as a bridge between Asia

and the mainland US

– Trans-Pacific fiber optic and satellite connectivity Tourism industry proven to be volatile

– Early 1990’s, the number of visitors to Hawaii declined drastically• Slump in Japanese economy• Almost 1/3 of Hawaii’s tourist population was from Japan

– Gulf War

– 9/11 and continued threats of terrorism

– Increased competition from other tourist destinations Hawaii has no choice

Technological Developments are Changing the Structure of Business in Hawaii

Support Organizations: Technology Parks, Business Incubators, Resource Centers

• DBEDT: resource center for developing businesses, economic data, foreign trade information

• HTDC: develop and manage a statewide network of new business incubation services.

• HTTA: encourage more mainland and international technology companies to establish presence in Hawaii

Incentives for Change– Tax incentives: Act 221

• Created to increase growth in Hawaii’s technology industries, attract the attention of mainland and international technological investors to establish a presence in Hawaii

• 100% return on cash investments over a 5 year period that are made to QHTBs in Hawaii

How are Technological Developments Affecting the Lives of Hawaii Residents?

Technology changes the way people work:– Shift from manual to electronic, paperless companies

Technological skills training a must:– Training must start early~ HI DOE Technology plan– Distance learning~ E-Schools

Rapid growth of tech jobs– In the US, from 1996 to 2006, technology occupations grew almost 50

percent faster than other occupations– Act 221 said to have created 600 tech jobs in Hawaii by 2004

Technological advances appears to be slowing domestic migration– 118,201 from 1990-1999 to just 8,213 from 2000-2004

Common Goal for the Future of Hawaii’s Economy: The Need to Diversify

2005 HTA survey on Hawaii residents:– In regards to the lack of diversification in Hawaii’s economy:

• 43% view as a big problem

• 27% view as a small problem

• 21% view as not a problem

• 9% no opinion, don’t know

HTDC and HTA views on collaborating tourism and technological developments together to improve Hawaii’s economy……– Discussion with Phil Bossert, CEO of HTDC and Frank

Haas, marketing director of HTA

ICT DEVELOPMENTSTOURISM

HAWAII RESIDENTS

DIVERSIFY HAWAII’S ECONOMY

Changes in marketing techniques to visitors

•Attract business investments and

partnerships

•Techno-tourism

•HI Convention Center

•Increase number of jobs•Slow amount of domestic migration•Adjust to changes in the workplace