Happy Holidays from the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce! For some in our community, this is a time to downshift and take time off work. For others, these are the busiest two weeks of the entire year at their place of business — all hands on deck!
As a world-class destination, the Kona-Kohala coastline boasts the bulk of accommodations and activities along with the infrastructure to support the visitor industry on Hawaii Island. This includes the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
Congratulations to KOA for capturing the second spot in Forbes Advisor’s Top 5 Best Airports for Holiday Travel.
Last week, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization released its 4th Quarter Forecast outlining external conditions facing Hawaii such as inflation, interest rate hikes, the fallout from the Ukraine War and COVID on China. Yet, ongoing recovery from international travel along with public construction projects will offset weakness. The report states “As a result, Hawaii growth will pause next year, but the state looks likely to escape a recession.”
For West Hawaii, visitor industry recovery, fueled by the U.S. domestic market, is strong. According to the latest data from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, visitor spending on Hawaii Island was up 26.7% in October 2022 compared to October 2019.
Recently, the Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA) distributed a 2022 Impact Report Summary prepared by SMS Research. Some highlights:
• Collectively KCRA members employ more than 5,000 residents supporting nearly
20,000 community members.
• In 2022, KCRA members, plus the businesses and residents in their resorts, paid$134 million in property taxes to Hawaii County, accounting for one-third of all property taxes island wide.
• KCRA members purchase more than $4.5 million in local food and floriculture products annually, supporting and growing Hawaii’s agricultural industry.
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce works to enhance the quality of life for our community through a strong, sustainable economy on Hawaii Island. It’s important to recognize the far reaching positive impacts of our visitor industry. Today, business is good and we have much to be thankful for this holiday season.
Wendy Laros is president and CEO of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.