Business Development and Support Division

Navigating the post-pandemic economy while dealing with the devastation caused by the recent Maui wildfires has created many unforeseen challenges for Hawaiʻi's small businesses. In an effort to give local small business owners extra support during these times, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is holding a free business fair Saturday, Sept. 16 at Leeward Community College.

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), and Innovate Hawaii/HTDC recently held Small Business Resource Seminars on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island and an on-line session for Maui. Programs like CBED, EZ, HiSTEP, MAP, MEP, SBIR were presented to the small business community and provided an overview of possibilities to help and grow their business. 

Keith Amemiya has recently been appointed as chair of Governor Green’s Sports Task Force, which is under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Amemiya was the executive director of the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association and has served on the Honolulu Police Commission, Hawai‘i Board of Education, and Aloha Stadium Authority Board. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Community Relations at Central Pacific Bank as well as the President of the Downtown Athletic Club of Hawai‘i.

The popular Hawaiʻi Small Business Fair returns to help local entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies in a post-pandemic economy and the state’s new business landscape. Business owners are invited to participate in the free event on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Leeward Community College from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.