LIHU’E — The island’s construction trade will continue to be “a lead industry” fueling the island’s economic growth this year, said Beth Tokioka, director of the county Office of Economic Development (OED). The island’s economy was strong in 2003, and
LIHU’E — The island’s construction trade will continue to be “a lead industry” fueling the island’s economic growth this year, said Beth Tokioka, director of the county Office of Economic Development (OED).
The island’s economy was strong in 2003, and she is optimistic about prospects for 2004.
“By all accounts, the island’s economy in 2003 experienced stability and growth,” she said. “The real estate and construction industries certainly led the charge. Construction was very strong, and will continue to be a lead industry for Kaua’i in 2004.”
In addition to growth in real estate and construction, tourism and agriculture also showed gains, said Tokioka.
“Tourism held its own in a tough year that included the Iraq war and SARS. We actually made gains in average length of stay for visitors (7.05 days in 2003, up from 6.71 in 2002), which is a goal we’ve been shooting for.
“We’re not necessarily looking for more visitors at this point as much as enticing them to stay longer and spend more while they’re here.”
The OED director discussed several areas that were key last year, and should be pivotal in 2004. She also talked about several programs Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste has initiated to help in the economic cause.
Kaua’i agriculture
Despite impending questions regarding the status of the sugar industry, Tokioka believes Gay & Robinson Inc. (G&R) sugar plantation had one of its best years in 2003.
“Sugar had its best year ever in terms of volume, and G&R is predicting an even bigger year in 2004,” said Tokioka.
The director also talked about other areas of agriculture.
“It looks like the disinfestation facility at Ahukini is back on track to be reopened in the near future by the (state) Agribusiness Development Corporation, and that will allow us to begin shipping papaya and other fruit off-island in much greater volume,” she said.
“We (OED) certainly are looking to support agriculture to the greatest extent possible in the next three years. In September of 2003, we opened an additional Sunshine Market in Wailua Homesteads, and we’re looking at possibilities to expand the Sunshine Market program in the next three years.”
The OED director also mentioned the Kauai Agriculture Advisory Council, which was reactivated by Baptiste and can help promote agricultural growth this year.
The organization is made up of a “cross-section of agricultural interests that will better help guide our resources and identify opportunities for the growth of agriculture.
“We’ll need their guidance to know where to direct our resources for maximum benefit,” said Tokioka. “We’re working closely with our cattle ranchers at the moment to see how they can best market their range-fed beef.”
The OED director said that another Baptiste priority is to better position the island’s agricultural products.
“We need to encourage farmers not only to grow their product for the wholesale market, but to package and sell it as a retail product as well. We’ve got to take advantage of e-commerce and sell more of our products via the Web and in retail outlets throughout the state, the Mainland and the world,” she said.
Kaua’i business
On the workforce-development side, the Kauai Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) is better refining where training dollars should be spent.
“This is a very important issue,” said Jonathan Chun, attorney with the Belles, Graham, Proudfoot and Wilson firm and President of the KWIB. “It’s no secret that we (Kaua’i) could have a worker shortage in the next few years. Our workforce is aging and the young people of the future aren’t adequately trained or leave the county completely.
“The emphasis of the KWIB is in the technology area. We need to address the gap in training and learning that affects the young workforce. If we don’t do this, our children won’t be able to get those future jobs. Instead, those jobs will go to people outside of the island.”
Tokioka also believes that several of Baptiste’s other initiatives will help further stimulate the economy in 2004.
“On the workforce-development side, OED has also been deeply involved in the mayor’s high technology education initiative,” said Tokioka.
“It’s called ‘Team Tech Kauai,’ and is a partnership between the county, the (state) Department of Education, Kaua’i Community College, the (U.S. Navy’s) Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai Economic Development Board and the local high-tech community to better educate our kids for job opportunities in technology and engineering on Kaua’i,” she said.
In addition to Team Tech Kauai, Tokioka also talked about other workforce-development initiatives.
“We just executed a contract with the Hawaii National Guard to run the youth program,” she said. “They’re implementing the successful ‘About Face’ program that will help up to 70 young people get the support they need to be ready for jobs when they leave school.
“We’ve also just opened a satellite office for the one-stop job-placement center in Waimea, so we can better serve job seekers and employers on the Westside.”
Kaua’i Tourism
According to Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau, the tourism market here in 2003 was strong.
“Despite the scares of the Iraq war and SARS, it was a good year for us,” said Kanoho. “Summer kind of takes care of itself, and we had a strong fall.”
With regards to visitor growth in 2004, Tokioka mentioned the Fern Grotto project as a key factor.
“The revitalization project is our first big effort at using (Hawaii Tourism Authority) funds to physically improve our island,” said Tokioka.
“We’re working with Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Chamber of Commerce, Smith’s and Waialeale boat companies, to revegetate and restore this world-famous landmark, and we’re now in the process of moving equipment and supplies into place to start the work.”
Tokioka added that, through HTA, the OED has been able to move $400,000 a year into the community for various events and projects that “enhance the island and attract visitors as well as residents.”
“We’re also actively working on realizing the mayor’s vision for historic/cultural walking tours in all of our communities and an ‘Adopt a Restroom’ partnership with local businesses for high-profile public facilities,” said Tokioka.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net.
