Latest Hawaii Defense News

Hawaii Wants To Form A Defense Industry ‘Alliance’ For Local Businesses

Hawaii officials want to form a new organization to get more local businesses in on lucrative defense contracts — and to find ways to use military money to grow other sectors of the state’s economy.

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Defense spending ‘incredibly important’ for Hawaii during COVID-19 pandemic

Defense spending in Hawaii — about $5 billion annually in payroll and $2 billion-plus in contracts — has been “an incredibly important stabilizing force” in the state with an economy otherwise wracked by COVID-19.

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Many reasons to support Pohakuloa Training Area

The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce fully support the U.S. military’s training mission at Pohakuloa Training Area.

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Hawaii companies awarded $337M in military contracts in August

The largest was a $245 million contract shared by six companies, including four from Hawaii, for Navy construction projects over the next five years.

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Hilo Hattie to distribute 175,000 face masks to military personnel

Hilo Hattie has entered into a contract with the United States Air Force to distribute 175,000 face masks over the next year for use across the United States, "The Store of Hawaii" announced this week.

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Military spending bill includes more than $300M for Hawaii construction projects

The $740.5 billion military spending bill that cleared the Senate Armed Services Committee this week includes more than $300 million for several construction projects at Army and Navy bases in Hawaii.

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The Military In Hawaii

An Economic and Community Partnership

The U.S. Military is a critical part of the Hawaii community and benefits everyone in the State. Hawaii has long been recognized for its strategic importance and unique relationship with the military. Hawaii is one of the only states that is home to all branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard. The military is also present in all four of the counties across the state. Hawaii’s strategic importance is as important now as it has ever been with continued threats and instability in the Asia-Pacific region, home to more than 50% of the world’s population, several of the world’s largest militaries, and two of the three largest economies in the world. China poses a major challenge to the U.S. military’s ability to achieve and maintain wartime control of blue-water ocean areas. In addition, North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles that can reach our allies and the U.S. With the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), which has an area of responsibility encompassing nearly half of the earth’s surface, headquartered in Honolulu, as well as other strategic and important commands, facilities and bases in the state, Hawaii clearly is vital to US interests in the region.

In addition to its strategic importance, Hawaii’s relationship with the military is a vital part of the state’s economy. From jobs for civilians and contracts for local businesses, to spending by active duty military personnel deployed in Hawaii and their families, the defense industry is the second largest industry segment in Hawaii.

Hawaii Defense Economy

A Community and Business Resource

The Hawaii Defense Economy project is focused on enhancing understanding of the economic impact of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and grants awarded in the state of Hawaii. With approximately $2 billion in total value of defense contracts in Hawaii annually, any changes in DoD spending will have an impact on the economy.. It is critical that the state proactively prepare for any changes the future may bring to Hawaii’s defense economy.

The Hawaii Defense Economy project is undertaken by the State of Hawaii, through the Department of Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism – Business Support Branch and is funded by the DoD – Office of Economic Adjustment. This project has been tasked with analyzing the impact of DoD contracts and grants awarded in Hawaii. It does not include other types of defense spending such as payroll of military personnel.

The defense industry is a major economic driver in Hawaii and defense contracts bring billions of dollars into the state each year. This project will provide insights into the relationships between the DoD in Hawaii and companies contracted to do business performed in the state.

Governor David Ige

Data Analysis Tools

The Hawaii Defense Economy website includes the following data analysis tools that can help you gain insights into contracting trends and business opportunities.