News Release
October 3, 2005
ECONOMIC MOMENTUM COMMISSION UNVEILS WEBSITE, “CHALLENGE STATEMENTS”
Honolulu, Hawaii -- The Economic Momentum Commission (EMC) has launched a website (www.emc-hawaii.com) to enable the public to follow the commission’s work and to submit feedback and ideas.
The goal of the commission, originally announced by Gov. Linda Lingle, is to generate practical ideas to perpetuate Hawaii’s economic vitality over the long term, and enhance quality of life. The EMC, chaired by First Hawaiian Bank President & CEO Don Horner, is a 30-member panel of private sector leaders and public officials including state Senate President Robert Bunda, House Speaker Calvin Say and other legislative leaders.
The commission has completed the first phase of its work, an examination of the economic and social challenges Hawaii faces. The www.emc-hawaii.com website contains 15 “challenge statements” drafted by subcommittees of the commission on the topics of housing, the environment, workforce development, education facilities, higher education, tourism, the military, land transportation, energy, water, agriculture, economic diversification, social services, perpetuating the host culture and health.
For example:
· Hawaii ranks 49th in the nation in home ownership.
· Hawaii is well above the national average in teen births.
· More than 20 percent of the state’s nursing positions are vacant.
· Hawaii high schools are producing less than half as many graduates as there are jobs available to fill each year.
· Hawaii ranks 48th in the percentage of teens going on to post-secondary education.
· The average age of public school buildings is almost 60 years.
· We’re more dependent on oil than any other state.
· We’re the national capital for endangered species.
“Despite the remarkably good economy we have today, these facts show there are plenty of human, economic, end environmental challenges that need to be addressed if we want a thriving community in which all citizens benefit,” Horner said. “The time to do that planning is when things are good, which -- on the whole -- they are today.”
Over the next few weeks, the EMC will review a variety of solutions recommended by its three committees: Quality of Life, Education/Employment/Investment and Infrastructure/Master Planning. Solutions given initial endorsement by the full commission will be taken out for public feedback both at public meetings in all counties and through e-mail generated by the www.emc-hawaii.com website.
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VIEW CHALLENGE STATEMENTS
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