Our economy is essential for our neighborhood and our people to thrive. Tourism continues to be the most dominant industry in Hawaii and we have to continue to support it. At the same time, we need to diversify and expand in other areas where we see economic growth and opportunity. To strengthen our economy I will support: 

 

- Economic diversification

- Strategic tourism marketing to attract high spending visitors

- Explore new areas for tourism marketing

- Product innovation and development

- Support for product manufacturing for global exporting

- Establishment of more enterprise zones

 

Economic diversification is not a step back from tourism. Economic diversification and tourism have to compliment each other. When we export more products we expand air routes through cargo generating more competition for lower fares. When we invest in the film tax credit, like we did with HB 2580, that's indirect tourism marketing for our state. 

 

Through a strong economy we create more job opportunities for our local people so they won't have to look elsewhere, keeping local people here. As your Representative, I will continue to support efforts to strengthen and grow our economy.