County reviews draft economy chapter, highlights agriculture, visitor industry and new tech risks

HILO — On Oct. 7, 2025, the Hawaii County Council received a presentation from the Planning Department on Chapter 5 of the draft general plan, the “Thriving, Diverse and Regenerative Economy” chapter, which sets goals and policies for workforce development, small business support, agriculture and the visitor industry.

The chapter lays out an overarching goal that “our economy is diverse, regenerative, and innovative,” and lists objectives and actions to expand workforce training, support small businesses, strengthen ag production and value-added industries, and promote a regenerative visitor industry that balances cultural and natural resource protection with visitation.

Planning staff said the chapter frames the county’s role mainly as enabling market conditions through land-use policy, infrastructure design and targeted programs rather than directly building private businesses. “What is the county’s role in economic development?” Bethany Morrison, long‑range planning division, asked after outlining the chapter’s approach and goals.

Key items in the draft

- Workforce and small business: Objective 43 (improve access to education and training), Objective 44 (increase growth and health of small businesses) and related policies call for expanding apprenticeships, streamlined regulatory processes and liaison services between county staff and private-sector businesses.

- Innovation and island brand: Objective 45 calls to “promote a…