News

Tokyo Big Sight, Japan January 22-24, 2014 A diverse and dynamic group of 17 of Hawaii’s most creative designers will converge in Tokyo to showcase their trendsetting Hawaii-made fashion and accessories to the Asia-Pacific market. DBEDT’s “Hawaii Pavilion” at the 2014 JFW International Fashion Fair in Tokyo will attract over 26,000 international buyers and industry ...
Read More 17 Designers Spread Aloha to Japan

In the new census statistics of international students in the U.S. released by the Institute of International Education Hawaii’s numbers remain relatively constant from 2012 to 2013, although Hawaii’s market share declined slightly as more international students began studying in the U.S. The non-profit group, Study Hawaii and DBEDT are redoubling efforts to attract more ...
Read More Updated Statistics on the Economic Impact of International Students in Hawaii

The State of Hawaii Office in Taiwan opened a “Hawaii Education Service Center” in December. The center, located in the Taiwan World Trade Center as part of the State’s Office, serves as a one-stop information and counseling center for Taiwanese students interested in studying at Hawaii’s colleges, universities and high-schools. Working closely with the Study ...
Read More Taiwan Office Opens Education Service Center

Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui hosted Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura and over 300 visitors representing officials from Ehime Prefectural Government, Uwajima City, Hawaii and Ehime youth baseball teams and parents, and Hawaii’s legislative leaders to the 10th Anniversary Sister-State Reception at Washington Place on November 22, 2013. Following the reaffirmation signing of the Hawaii-Ehime Sister State ...
Read More Hawaii-Ehime Unite at a Gala Tribute

Governor Neil Abercrombie and Governor Tokihiro Nakamura of Ehime Prefecture reaffirmed the Hawaii-Ehime Sister State agreement to mark the 10th anniversary of the special relationship that was initiated by DBEDT and established in 2003. “The Sister-State reaffirmation signing will formalize the furthering of relationships between the State of Hawaii and Ehime Prefecture in the areas ...
Read More Celebrating 10 Years of Sisterhood

There are currently about 16,000 students from Vietnam pursuing degrees from colleges and universities throughout the U.S. Of this amount, Hawaii attracts less than 1%. How can Hawaii increase the number of Vietnamese students that choose to study in the islands? DBEDT and representatives from the Study Hawaii Education Consortium recently met with a delegation ...
Read More Study Hawaii: Attracting Vietnamese Students

DBEDT’s Business Development & Support Division, along with Bank of Hawaii, hosted a delegation from the Consulate General of Vietnam to discuss trade and investment opportunities between Vietnam and Hawaii. Pictured from left to right are Betty Brow, Executive VP of Bankoh and President of the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce; Richard Lim, Director of ...
Read More Vietnam Trade and Investment Delegation Visits Hawaii

Hawaii Fashion Month brought together the private sector and government to discuss the establishment of a Designer-in-Residence (DIR) Program in Hawaii fashioned after the Macy’s DIR programs in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Chicago. Organized by DBEDT’s HI Growth Initiative that targets high-growth/high-potential entrepreneurs, the brainstorming and discussion session led by Allison Izu. Participants included Ari ...
Read More Designing a Designer-in-Residence Program

Hawaii Fashion Month culminated with the prestigious Governor’s Fashion Awards at The Modern Honolulu on October 30, 2013. Headlining the black-tie affair was Governor Neil Abercrombie, DBEDT Director Richard Lim, along with the movers, shakers and fashionistas of Hawaii’s fashion industry, to honor the past, present and future of the industry. The event also recognized ...
Read More Governor’s Fashion Award Winners Announced

Governor Neil Abercrombie and Richard Lim, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) met with a delegation from Fukushima, Japan, led by Governor Yuhei Sato. Governor Sato extended much appreciation to Governor Abercrombie for the State of Hawaii’s kind message following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Hawaii ...
Read More Fukushima and Hawaii Share Aloha