Economy Stream
Advancing economic diversity through community engagement and workforce development
The Opportunity
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.
Click any industry below to view its Economic Development Strategy
Vibrant Hawaiʻi Art Fellowship
Vibrant Hawaiʻi partnered with One Nation/One Project to participate in the nationwide Arts for EveryBody project. Local artists from 18 cities and towns across America celebrated culture and community through the prompt "No place like home." This year-long initiative provided an opportunity to demonstrate to the community how the arts could help achieve community healing and well-being.
Led by Aliza Gebin, the 2023 Art Fellows: Abbie Rabinowitz (Puna Mauka), Angaea Cuna (South Kona), Avalon Paradea (Waikoloa), Erin Chung (North Hilo), Jaymeson Lōkela Sanchez (Puna Mauka), Jeramy Madrid (Waimea), Kerry Green (Kaʻū), Marata Tamaira (Puna Mauka), Nicole Gomes (North Kohala), Ninamarie Bell (North Kona), and Sara Stover (North Kona)
Design Labs
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In partnership with Council Members Sue Lee Loy and Jennifer Kagiwada, Vibrant Hawaiʻi hosted three Design Labs (October 16 and November 16, 2023) at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, focusing on the growth and revitalization of the Waiākea Peninsula.
The primary objective of the Design Labs were to leverage the collective expertise and diverse perspectives of stakeholders with strong ties to the Waiākea Peninsula. Participants ranged from local community members to officials and experts across various sectors, all united by their commitment to the peninsula's future. The primary task was to develop a guiding document based on Asset Based Community Development principles, aimed at steering the peninsula's restoration and revitalization in a way that aligns with community goals.
With the goal of creating a prototype mural design, Vibrant Hawaiʻi invited their Art Fellows to document each of the Design Labs through painting and song.
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.
Hawaii's Volcano Circus
Creative & Performing Arts
`Āina University of Puna (`Āina UP)
Education
KUKULU KAIAULU
Education
Volcano Precious Plastic
Education
Hawaii Forest Farms tours & education
Regenerative & Community Driven Tourism
Na`alehu Resilience Hub Food Insecurity and Workforce Development Initiative
Resilient & Sustainable Food Systems
The Honeybee Education Program
Resilient & Sustainable Food Systems
The Future of Remote Work in Higher Education on Hawai’i Island
Software, Technology, & Creative Media
Oahi Entertainment Wedding and Events (O'E'WE)
Creative & Performing Arts
Kalamapi'i PLAY School
Education
Māmaki Ola Curriculum Development and Implementation
Education
North Kohala Archery
Health and Wellbeing
Kohala Kupa'a Online Marketplace
Regenerative & Community Driven Tourism
Orchard Garden Project at Becca's Farm
Resilient & Sustainable Food Systems
Youngs Family Farm
Resilient & Sustainable Food Systems
The Hawaiiverse Initiative
Software, Technology, & Creative Media
PPAC Community Center floor repair
Creative & Performing Arts
Kohala Okinawa Children's Day Camp
Education
Project Hale Kohala
Education
Root & Rise’s “Nature & Art as Therapy”
Health and Wellbeing
Wai'Uli: We Count
Regenerative & Community Driven Tourism
Sugar Hill Farmstore
Resilient & Sustainable Food Systems
Startup Hawaiʻi
Software, Technology, & Creative Media