Hawaii Business Weekly: Navigating the Waves - Infrastructure, Innovation, and Island Resilience

Aloha, business leaders! This week in Hawaii, we navigated some choppy waters, both literally and figuratively. The state faced a tsunami warning, impacting tourism, hospitality, and local businesses. While the immediate threat passed, the event underscored critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and the pressing need for preparedness. Simultaneously, Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli kept the islands on alert, reminding us of the ever-present challenges of operating in the Pacific. Beyond the immediate weather-related concerns, we're keeping an eye on the bigger picture. The Hilton Grand Vacations' Waikiki Tower nears completion, a positive sign for tourism, amidst ongoing construction challenges that local businesses will have to deal with. The upcoming AI and Cloud Innovation Summit on September 10 offers new opportunities for Hawaii's businesses, showcasing the state's commitment to technology and innovation. Plus, we see some interesting developments with the Hawaii Tourism Authority's transition, which will have a large impact on our local companies and the state's future. Finally, the community is starting to see the results of the 'Pay for No Work' scandal, and the resulting scrutiny of local businesses. Also, the recent tsunami drill highlighted infrastructure weaknesses, as well as the sustainability aspects of the state. Furthermore, we're excited to report the growth of the green building sector, with an AIA award for a Maui off-grid home, emphasizing Hawaii's continuing focus on sustainable practices. As always, we'll keep you informed on how to navigate Hawaii's real property tax credit to reduce your tax burden.