economics

Hawaii Adjutant General Kenneth Hara; Economist Paul Brewbaker; Reality Check: HPD Crime-Solving at Record Low; ESG Metrics

Help is on the way says Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz. The words came as the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a $2 trillion aid package designed to save the American economy from collapse.

Tax revenue coming into Hawaii state coffers is now expected to be $48 million to $80 million less than previous estimates for the rest of 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus.

How long it takes to get the coronavirus to run its course will make the difference between a short-term hiccup and serious economic woes, says a University of Hawaii economist.

There are still no reported cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Hawaii. But a spate of canceled events and falling visitor numbers from abroad indicate the virus is creating economic headwinds. 

Although a large drop in Hawaii's price of goods and services isn’t likely even as the governor and lawmakers deem it a priority, a small decline may be enough to reverse the trend of population decline.

Our show today brings a number of female economists to the table to talk about the economy - but specifically: why aren’t more women in this field? What’s in the way of breaking up the “boys club?” We also acknowledge the women who are paving the way forward.

Our guests today:

Traditional economic data measures features like output and productivity, but typically ignores subjective qualities that make up the human experience. A study by University of Hawaii economists could help to change that by asking whether factors like poverty influence well-being.

Starting Wednesday, Hawaii County will no longer accept some traditionally recyclable materials at its collection sites. The change comes as global market forces roil the recycling industry.

The latest data show that number of babies are being born in Hawaii has been declining for a decade. That follows a national trend of falling birthrates.

From the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers, to short term rentals and the tourism industry, a new book chronicles the history of human society in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii: Eight Hundred Years of Political and Economic Change is the work of University of Hawaii economist Sumner La Croix.

Honolulu is the third most expensive housing market in the country. That is according to a February analysis from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. But Hawaii has always been an expensive place to live, according to one of the state's top economists. 

Dozens of former Lāna‘i residents have returned to the island to help chart its future, including Pulama Lānai’s  COO. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier, has more.

There is much that ties Hawaii to the Asia Pacific. Part of that is geography, but it’s also culture, immigration, and economics. Trade Winds looks at some of those economic issues and how they affect the people who live around the Asia-Pacific. It is a project of Hawaii Public Radio's News Director Bill Dorman, who spent more than ten years covering business news in Asia.

Hawaii’s Economic Outlook for 2018

Waikiki Natatorium; Release of Intergalactic Map; The Captured Economy; Hawaii Non-Profits

Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Health; Economic Slowdown; Gender Pay Gap

As you heard earlier on NPR, the United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed another round of trade sanctions against North Korea. The move won the support of China, which is having trade issues of another kind with SOUTH Korea. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

There are many ways to identify factors that spark economic development. Businesses and investment capital can create jobs. Consumer spending can boost an economy. And according to a new study from Australia, a good surf break can also make a difference.

President Trump talked about economic growth in his address to a joint session of Congress. Figures out Tuesday showed the U.S. economy grew at a rate of 1.6 percent last year—its weakest performance since 2011. In Asia, the latest economic figures continue to show faster growth—but the future carries some question marks. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Political scandal is still dominating the news in South Korea. The president’s powers have been suspended and her future remains uncertain. The parliament is in transition and to the surprise of some, financial markets remain relatively calm. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

South Korea started the week with the Prime Minister as acting president.  The ruling political party is split between those who remain loyal to President Park Geun Hye, and those who joined in voting for her impeachment last week on allegations of influence peddling.

The US presidential election has not only dominated the US news cycle for weeks, it’s also been a focus overseas. HPR’s Bill Dorman looks at early media reaction from the Asia Pacific in today’s Asia Minute.

Shock, disbelief and uncertainty.  And that was just the reaction of financial markets in the Asia Pacific.  As Donald Trump pushed closer to the White House, regional stock indices tumbled.  Markets around Asia closed before the election was settled—with Japan taking the biggest hit.

The Nikkei sank more than five and a third percent—to a three-month low.

One in six Hawai‘i residents lives in poverty.  That’s according to new figures from the US Census Bureau….which includes the cost of living as part of the calculation.  The traditional measure of poverty is based only on income.

When you figure in the cost of living, Hawai‘i’s poverty rate skyrockets from 11% of the population to nearly 17%.  Nicole Woo is the senior policy analyst with the Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.  She says the latest figure is a reminder that Hawai‘i’s relatively low unemployment rate only tells part of the state’s true economic story.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew made a quick stop in Hawai‘i on his way back from the G-20 Leaders Summit in China.  Lew spent Labor Day in Honolulu—where he held a roundtable discussion with some local business and community leaders.

Last year, Catherine Ngo became president and CEO of Central Pacific Bank. Pacific Business News caught up with Ngo this week to learn more about her plans. Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has the story.

The Prime Minister of Singapore is spending most of this week in Washington. It’s the first official state visit by a Singaporean leader in more than 30 years. And discussions will include at least one topic that came under fire at the political conventions of both republicans and democrats. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

The concept of income inequality was a theme of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, and it’s getting some attention this week at the Democratic National Convention. It’s also getting some publicity in Indonesia—where it played a role this week in a government shakeup. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Financial markets in Asia began the week with a more measured view of events in Britain than the US stock market.  Some of the larger equity markets even began the week with strong gains, while currency markets have had a more complicated reaction.  HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

When it comes to big money in Asia, it’s still early to fully evaluate the implications of Britain’s exit from the European Union.  After steep sell-offs last week, stock markets across Asia have generally calmed down a bit.

Economic Outlook for Hawaii; #iambadatthis; 11th East-West Philosophers' Conference; Honolulu Jazz Quartet

UHERO County Economic Forecast: Dr. Carl Bonham