Representative Kirstin Kahaloa knows the importance of a strong local economy to uplift communities.

Kirstin served as Executive Director of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, leading the island’s largest business organization in its advocacy efforts to create a successful business environment in West Hawaiʻi. She was also a founding member and former president of Hui ʻOihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce.

PRIORITIES FOR OUR ECONOMY

• Strengthen the Hawaiʻi brand and encourage buying local.
  Buying local keeps dollars in Hawaiʻi and protects our small businesses. We need to elevate and uplift local businesses that are growing, sourcing, and manufacturing in Hawaiʻi. We know it is difficult to manufacture in Hawaiʻi, but if we create more shared manufacturing opportunities, we may be able to find solutions to these issues.
  
  

• Support our local farmers and food producers.
  Agriculture is an economic sector that needs nurturing at the policy level. Local food feeds the community and keeps dollars in Hawaiʻi. It can also be sustainably done and support our environment too. Growing this industry can create more jobs and economic diversity. Value added production and manufacturing can also grow our economy as we will have shelf stable products that could be shipped around the world.
  
  

• Transform Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry from extractive to regenerative.
  The visitor industry is a significant part of Hawaiʻi Island’s economy and will be for many years to come, not just because of its size, but because of its potential to drive diversification and regeneration. Hawaiʻi Island is in a prime position to advance emerging sectors like sustainable aviation fuel, further grow local agriculture and increase our food security, and offer opportunities for small kamaʻāina businesses to scale up in a variety of sectors. All of these areas benefit from the demand and capital infusion the visitor industry can offer. All of this is predicated on the community’s acceptance of the industry, which is why the community-driven efforts at destination management led by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are critical at this point in time.
  
  

• Expand broadband connectivity so all residents can connect to the knowledge-based economy.
  Broadband connectivity on Hawaiʻi Island is a right, not a luxury. It is an economic justice and social equity priority. The global pandemic showed us the vast disparities in connectivity and the real-world consequences of the digital divide. Whether it’s wired or wireless, we must expand connectivity especially in our rural areas.
  
  

• Incentivize the return of kamaʻāina to Hawaiʻi after education abroad.
  With Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living, it is hard for our best and brightest young minds to return home without jobs and networks. We need tax incentives for college graduates from Hawaiʻi who return home.
  
  

• Make preschool available to all keiki.
  Universal access to preschool will help our children and support our working families. We do not have enough preschool capacity or options for all students who need it.