FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2026
HONOLULU – Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs and small-business owners will have direct access to state business specialists during a series of free workshops on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi beginning September 22. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will also participate in the Innovate Maui Nui Conference on Maui on September 23.
The workshops bring several business support programs together in each community, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about financing, grants, export assistance, manufacturing support, clean energy programs, Foreign Trade Zone resources and other services available to help businesses grow and reach new markets. Topics vary by location.
“Hawaiʻi has a range of programs to help businesses access capital, expand into new markets and strengthen their operations, but business owners do not always know where to start,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. “These workshops bring our teams into communities across the state so entrepreneurs have an opportunity to ask questions, make direct connections and find the resources that best fit their business.”
Programs represented at the workshops include the Community-Based Economic Development Loan Program, Enterprise Zone Program, Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, Hawaiʻi Small Business Innovation Research Program, clean energy financing, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency financing and Foreign Trade Zone import and export resources. Representatives and programs vary by location.
The schedule includes:
Kona:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9 to 11 a.m.
Natural Energy Laboratory, NELHA Hale Iako, Room 208
73-970 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona
Hilo:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2 to 4 p.m.
Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale
799 Piʻilani St., Hilo
The Hilo workshop will also include information from the U.S. Small Business Administration on loans and other small-business support programs.
Maui:
Wednesday, Sept. 23,
Innovate Maui Nui Conference
Pilina Events Center, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului
DBEDT will participate in the conference’s first day, focused on entrepreneurship and small-business development, connecting attendees with information about state business programs, grants and funding opportunities.
Oʻahu:
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 9 to 12 p.m.
Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center
1001 California Ave., Wahiawā
Kauaʻi:
Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 to 12 p.m.
Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall, Exhibit Hall B
4191 Hardy St., Līhuʻe
The events are free. Registration and additional information are available at invest.hawaii.gov/dbedt-workshop-2026.
About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. The DBEDT mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all of Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation sector job growth.
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Media Contacts:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawai‘i
Cell: 808-518-5480
Email: lacianne.a.goshi@hawaii.gov
