Hawai‘i 2.0: A community-wide call to action
Posted on Jan 29, 2021 in Capitol Connection, Featured
Governor Ige is asking for wide community input to create a Hawai‘i 2.0 program of action.
That’s why, in the wake of the pandemic, I am calling for the creation of a program of action to not just reboot but to upgrade our economy. To create a Hawai‘i 2.0, if you will. I have asked Senate President Kouchi and Speaker Saiki to work with me, as well as business, labor and community leaders, to develop a program of action for Hawai‘i’s future. I have reached out to the Hawai‘i Business Roundtable, the Hawai‘i Executive Conference, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation to convene stakeholders and communities from across the state. I have also sought the counsel of governors Ariyoshi, Waihee, Cayetano, Lingle and Abercrombie for their thoughts on economic recovery. I have asked all of them for recommendations by April, which will be folded into specific actions by the third quarter of this year. The Legislature will then have an opportunity to act upon these initiatives in their 2022 session. The pandemic brought our economy to a screeching halt. But could it also be an opportunity to reassess our path forward? Opportunity takes on many disguises. Sometimes, it only waits for us to recognize it.