Honolulu serves as the business and trading center for the Hawaiian Islands. The Honolulu economy is powered by tourism, military, the defense contracting industry, manufacturing and research and development. Tourism typically contributes 10 billion dollars a year to Honolulu. Agriculture and aqua-culture are also significant economic factors. The Marine Base Kaneohe, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and the Schofield Barracks also add to the economy.
The economy is diversifying into other sectors such as alternative energy, information and communications technologies, science-biotech, astronomy and space sciences, marine sciences and defense-dual use technologies. In addition, the Kapolei region includes one of Hawaii's largest industrial parks. Also, the Honolulu Harbor has a prominent Foreign Trade Zone. Numerous major shipping companies serve the port.
The One-Stop Workforce Assistance Centers are managed by the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The centers include job placement and training systems to assist people find jobs and employers find qualified employees. The centers also offer the Employment Training Fund which offers a job skills upgrade program for current workers.
The largest employers in Honolulu are provided below:
- Schofield Barracks
- Bank of Hawaii
- Queen's Medical Center
- Tripler Army Medical Center
- Honolulu Police Department
- St Francis Hospital
- Aloha Airlines
- Kapiolani Medical Center
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach
- Straub Clinic & Hospital
- Honolulu Intl Airport - HNL
- Oahu Transit SVC
- Kuakini Emergency SVC
- Kuakini Health System
- Adjutant General
- Polynesian Cultural Center
- Sheraton
- HMSA Hawaii Medical SVC
- Castle Medical Center
- Honolulu Environmental SVC
- Servco Pacific Inc
- Royal Hawaiian Hotel
- Honolulu Advertiser
- Del Monte Foods
- Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort
Honolulu's major employment sectors are:
- Government
- Trade, transportation and utilities
- Leisure and hospitality
- Professional and business services
- Healthcare
- Education
- Finance
Notable information about Honolulu: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 181.5 which is very high when compared to the national average of 100. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $55,000. Approximately 31% of the residents of Honolulu have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Honolulu companies have access to helpful business organizations including:
The Hawaii Business Magazine offers current information about the business endeavors in Honolulu.
