{"id":387,"date":"2026-05-20T23:05:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=387"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:05:19","slug":"covering-the-cost-how-to-lower-the-cost-of-doing-business-in-hawaii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=387","title":{"rendered":"Covering the Cost: How to lower the cost of doing business in Hawaii"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In HNN\u2019s new livestream show <\/b><\/i>\u201cCovering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos,\u201d<\/b><\/i> we break down the numbers behind Hawaii\u2019s affordability crisis in candid conversations with financial experts, entrepreneurs and community leaders.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

Read more Serial road rage driver sentenced in Kakaako attack<\/a><\/p>\n

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In this episode of \u201cCovering the Cost\u201d on May 20 at 12:30 p.m., Annalisa Burgos sits down with Hawaii Chamber of Commerce President\/CEO Sherry Menor and Hawaii Business Magazine editor-in-chief Jennifer Ablan to talk about the cost of doing business in Hawaii.<\/p>\n

Small businesses make up more than 99% of all businesses in the state, employing nearly half the private workforce. But the state also has one of the highest first-year business failure rates in the nation, with 25.4% of new businesses closing within their first year, compared to the national average of 21.5%. <\/p>\n

Economic factors such as high operational costs, workforce shortages, limited market size and little access to capital are some of the reasons business owners find it hard to sustain growth and remain resilient amid broader economic challenges, like the war in Iran and federal spending cuts. Experts say high costs of labor, rent, utilities, taxes and shipping, along with strict regulations hamper business growth.<\/p>\n

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According to UHERO, more than 38% of Hawaii small businesses report difficulty hiring, with 62% citing a lack of qualified candidates and 39% citing budget constraints. <\/p>\n

Economists also cite slow wage growth as a major challenge in keeping workers in Hawaii, coupled with the high cost of living. A 2025 Holomua Collective survey found 75% of middle-income workers in Hawaii have considered leaving the state due to housing costs. <\/p>\n

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Nearly 30% of Hawaii small businesses face barriers to financing, especially to cover marketing, sales support and financial and human resources. Now, artificial intelligence is enabling local businesses to automate certain tasks, saving time and money.<\/p>\n

Several federal and state programs are available, including Small Business Administration grants and low-interest loans. But over the past two years, the SBA Hawaii District Office has seen a drop in demand for the flexible loans. <\/p>\n

Accelerator programs and venture capital associations like Mana Up, Blue Startups, and PICHTR also provide funding, mentoring and resources for startups looking to scale up. <\/p>\n

Catch \u201cCovering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos\u201d Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. online, on HNN\u2019s streaming app and anywhere you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n

From skyrocketing housing prices to the country\u2019s highest tax burden, Annalisa is covering the cost of aloha in America\u2019s most expensive state and offering practical strategies, policy insights, and honest talk about what it really takes to call Hawaii home.<\/p>\n

Read more California visitor dies following rescue on Kalalau Trail<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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