What can government do effectively to support and grow local industry and jobs?
Businesspeople will tell you that what they want most from government is straight answers, dependable information and fair treatment. So we start with the premise that HOW government does things is as important as WHAT it does. The negative model for how not to do things is the Superferry. Investors want stability not gamesmanship.
Here are five action steps for a stronger economy.
One, we must support businesses that are producing jobs now, as opposed to taking them for granted. The visitor industry and Hawaii’s array of health related businesses are good examples. If the market for these services changes, government must resiliently help with the adjustments so that businesses thrive and jobs are kept. A simple example: as the Chinese become greater travelers, we should not only promote Hawaii in China but translate our signage into Chinese.
Two, move boldly on training and apprenticeship programs, especially in economic down cycles. Want a model? How about the Carpenter Union’s state of the art training center in Kapolei? It is a cooperative long term investment by the public and private sectors in developing a local work force for the jobs in front of us. It combines faith in our State’s future with a real plan to ready workers with skills needed for everything from the construction of education facilities to transit to military spending.
Three, build green. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to show the rest of the world how to create a clean energy economy. Last week I met with a graduate from Keaau High School who works at the geothermal plant in Puna and has the vision and know-how to be part of a very real renewable energy future. Similarly, the deep sea cooling plant on Oahu will take political determination and stable regulatory action. With this one project, we can narrow our carbon footprint, create hundreds of jobs and create a working international model.
Four, put the Lieutenant Governor to work to maximize the use of federal dollars. With Senator Inouye in a historically high position in the Senate and President Obama with deep roots in Hawaii, we are in a unique position to capitalize on bringing in federal money for needed projects and initiatives that can develop new economic activity. We can ensure that Hawaii is getting its fair share of federal resources so that local people, local companies and non-profit agencies are the recipients of these resources. Done right this extra effort can mean hundreds more jobs.
Fifth, ensure that government responds to Hawaii families who suddenly find themselves out of work. From my experience in managing a social services agency, I know that there are many families who have worked for decades, always paid their taxes and now for the first time have to deal with a layoff from a company that they never thought would fail. These folks have done the right things all their lives, and we owe them a caring and well run support system.
With your help, I will provide the leadership needed to collaborate with everyone who believes in the importance of good jobs for our families and stabilizing our economy. There’s hard work ahead. Let’s get moving.
Aloha,
