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ECONOMY STREAM

Advancing economic diversity through community engagement and workforce development

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The Issue

Many residents, business, and entrepreneurs are unaware that the CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development and a conduit for resources that provides entrance to federal funding and technical assistance from agencies like the Economic Development Administration and the Public Works & Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.

The Strategy

Throughout 2021, the Economy Stream engaged over 300 community members to amplify community awareness of the CEDS. Following a series of panel discussions highlighting sectors and industry experts, multi-sector Core Teams convened to identify strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and restraints of each priority sector and to further identify objectives, strategies, and tactics that residents can take on their own, in partnership, and through legislative advocacy to elevate critical action to a more diversified and resilient economic portfolio for Hawaiʻi Island.

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Click any industry below to view its Economic Development Strategy

Micro-Investment Awardees

In 2022, Vibrant Hawaiʻi provided financial capital to pilot ideas or scale up concepts identified for each sector in the Vibrant Hawai‘i Economic Development Strategy. The initiative was designed to support quick action to demonstrate feasibility of solutions.  In reciprocity for the investment, awardees committed to supporting each other and sharing their learning journey via Unrulr, an online collaboration tool. The Micro Investment opportunity was open to all Hawai’i Island residents, businesses, nonprofits, associations, and civic groups. 

Becca's Farm

Business

FLOWN

Education

Hawaiʻi Forrest Farms

Education

Hawaiʻi's Volcano Circus

Education

Kanalu

Business

Kohala Unupa'a Mauka to Makai Summer Camp

Education

No Poho

Business

Panaewa Farmers Market

Education

Puna Rising

Business

Startup Hawaiʻi

Business

The Honeybee Education Program

Education

WaiʻUli: We Count

Education

ʻŌahi Entertainment LLC

Business

Dragon Heart Farms

Business

Hale Hoʻōla Hāmākua

Business

Hawaiʻi Island School Garden Network

Education

Hilo Education Arts Repertory Summer Musical

Business

Kohala Food Hub

Community

Moonkinetingz

Business

North Kohala Archery

Education

Plant Pono

Education

Root & Rise

Business

Sugar Hill Farmstead LLC

Business

Tri-S

Business

Youngs Family Farm

Business

ʻŌpio Film School

Education

Ena Media Hawaiʻi

Business

Hawaiiverse

Business

Hawaiʻi Island Women's Leadership Forum

Business

Kalamapiʻi Play School

Education

Kohala Kupaʻa Online Marketplace

Business

Māmaki Ola Cirriculum Development and Implementation

Education

Northstar Farms

Business

Project Hale Kohala

Education

Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Kohala

Education

The Future Work in Higher Education on Hawaiʻi Island

Education

Volcano Precious Plastic

Education

ʻĀina University of Puna

Education

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