Event Overview
On June 1, 2026, the Opportunity Zones 2.0 Market Activation Summit convened developers, investors, and state and county leaders to prepare for Governor Green’s upcoming nomination of 25 census tracts for designation as new Opportunity Zones. Participants received a comprehensive overview of the major updates in “OZ 2.0,” including new incentives, compliance requirements, and investment pathways, and explored real-world case studies illustrating viable project models and deal structures. National experts in policy, law, accounting, and finance provided guidance on effectively leveraging the renewed program to support housing, energy, and economic development projects across Hawaii.
Mahalo to Governor Josh Green, HUD Regional Administrator William Spencer, Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Mayor Derek Kawakami, the Opportunity Zones experts and all those who attended the summit that was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Hawaii.
To review the materials presented in each session, please follow the links below to access the speakers’ presentation decks.
Framing the Opportunity for Opportunity Zones 2.0:
- Robert Jamieson, Program Analyst, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (+presentation slides)
- Catherine Lyons, Senior Director of Policy & Coalitions, Economic Innovation Group (EIG) (+presentation slides)
- Brady Meixell, Senior Research Associated, Urban Institute (+presentation slides)
Aligning Projects, Capital, and Policy:
- Florian Schalliol, Director of Investment & Infrastructure, Actaris (+presentation slides)
- Catherine Lyons, Senior Director of Policy & Coalitions, Economic Innovation Group (EIG) (+presentation slides)
- Brent Parker, Partner, Novogradac (+presentation slides)
- Brady Meixell, Senior Research Associated, Urban Institute (+presentation slides)
Structuring an OZ Capital Stack:
- Mark Schultz, Partner, Snell & Wilmer, LLP (+presentation slides)
Breakout Session: Housing
- Rober Jamieson, Program Analyst, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (+presentation slides)
Breakout Session: Energy
Breakout Session: Economic Development
- Gregory Heller, Partner, Guidehouse (+presentation slides)
- Catherine Lyons, Senior Director of Policy & Coalitions, Economic Innovation Group (EIG) (+presentation slides)
- Cathy Camp, Executive VP, Central Pacific Bank (+presentation slides)
Beginning July 1, 2026, Governor Green will undertake the process of selecting and nominating 25 new eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zone “2.0” designation. These designated zones will take effect January 1, 2027 and remain in place through December 31, 2036. For more information about OZ 2.0 in Hawaii please visit the Hawaii Opportunity Zones Website (+link).
Additionally, the State is seeking input to help identify locations where Opportunity Zones can have the greatest impact. We invite you to submit projects that could benefit from OZ investment to inform the State’s review and evaluation of eligible census tracts using the link below.
