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About OED

The Office of Economic Development (OED) is dedicated to supporting sustainable, equitable economic growth for the island of Kaua’i. By partnering with impactful organizations and supporting innovative initiatives, OED ensures actions are taken that create better jobs, focus on supporting better living conditions and access to food, and progress energy and transportation methods on the island.

16

Partner Groups

245+

Grants Posted

100+

Successful Cases

TOOLS

Impactful organizations and innovative initiatives

OED has put together web-based tools to provide specific solutions and information.

KauaiMade

kauaimade.net is a website that works with local creators and artisans to promote and sell their products. KauaiMade is an OED-run program that accepts applications and offers branding and retail opportunities to boost business.

Film Commision

The film commission is an OED-based program that guides filmmakers through the appropriate processes and documentation necessary to create their fantastic works of art.

KauaiFestivals

The film commission is an OED-based program that guides filmmakers through the appropriate processes and documentation necessary to create their fantastic works of art.

GetAroundKauai

GetAroundKauai provides solutions related to transportation around the island. This informative website connects users with maps, bus routes, and information on the different ways someone can get around Kaua’i.

GetAroundKauai

Office of Economic Development Goals

Local Workforce

Foster and strengthen a well-qualified labor force consistent with local industry direction and workforce needs.

Energy and Renewables

Increase advocacy and coordination efforts for energy efficiency projects, energy emergency preparedness programs, and increase use of renewable resources.

Visitor Industry

Expand and strengthen well-balanced visitor industry promotions and businesses aligned with enhancing island-wide product development projects.

Film Development Efforts

Increase high level film location productions and expand business development efforts to secure a major film studio complex on Kauai.

Support Agriculture

Increase support and collaboration to ensure the continual growth and expansion of Kauai's agricultural project.

Research and Data

Improve the facilitation of coordinated research, market analysis, and compilation of local industry/community-related data and statistics to support business and community development.

Department Mission

The Office of Economic Development works, in partnership with the community, to create economic opportunities towards the development of a healthy, stable and balanced economy for the residents of the County of Kauai.

The Office of Economic Development (OED), as a government entity, interfaces with business and community leaders as well as other government programs to enhance Kauai’s economic development activities. OED is responsible to provide technical and financial support, as feasible, for both large and small business establishments or existing and emerging new industries which offer full employment for Kauai’s residents.

GUIDING DOCUMENTS

OED utilizes the research and findings of leading organizations in the community as guidance.

Kauaʻi Kākou

A collaborative, inclusive plan to drive policy, land use, and investment on Kauaʻi to meet the island’s specific needs, Kauaʻi Kākou paves the way for the next twenty years of action by using available information to predict the challenges that Kauaʻi will face and by working with the community to understand the needs and hopes of kamaʻāina. Read more to learn about the background information driving the decisions made in the general plan and to understand the priorities of The County of Kauaʻi.

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Kauaʻi CEDS

The Office of Economic Development worked closely with Kauaʻi Economic Development Board, the Office of State Planning, and members of the community to expand on the previous Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (2016-2020). The 2022-2026 CEDS Plan focuses on developing the economy in industries other than tourism to diversify the workforce and take advantage of new opportunities.

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Kauaʻi DMAP 2021-2023

The Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) analyses the conditions and outcomes of tourism on Kauaʻi. It then proposes objectives and actions in order to change the conditions of tourism to better benefit the island and Kauaʻi’s kamaʻāina.

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ALICE

Aloha United Way teamed up with United for ALICE and other partners to gather information on the realistic living costs required to sustain individuals and families. They expand on the Federal Poverty Line and argue that it takes more income than the poverty line to sustain a household. This report takes real-world considerations to develop better labor policy and government assistance criteria. By painting a clearer picture of requirements to sustain a household, better action can be taken to improve conditions for working people and their families.

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Kauai Economic Recovery Strategy Teams (KERST)

In response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kauai Economic Recovery Strategy Team was brought together to create action items for the County of Kauaʻi to make. The recommended actions are listed in this document and outline strategic steps intended to boost the island’s economic recovery.

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Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs

Building Bridges focuses on ensuring a recovery strategy that addresses long-standing equity issues. The Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women recommends inclusion objectives to address the inequities and to build a better economic system with the recovery from COVID-19.

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