economy

Hawaii’s chief economist says the state’s latest unemployment figures show the economy is recovering steadily but unevenly.

As COVID-19 vaccinations increase around the world, a gap is widening. It’s a split between advanced economies and developing countries — and the difference is especially pronounced in Asia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

While it’s only mid-October, Hawaiʻi retailers are now preparing for the second holiday shopping season under the pandemic — and various COVID policies. Their top concerns include finding enough help and having enough in stock. Pacific Business News editor in chief A. Kam Napier has more.

The head of the local union for film and television workers hopes a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers can be avoided. But if negotiations on a new labor agreement fall through, he says they are prepared to walk off the job early next week.

A new study shows that COVID-19 mandates helped to increase vaccination rates in Hawaiʻi. The study by the University of Hawaii Economics Research Organization surveyed nearly 2,000 businesses about the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandates.

A University of Hawaiʻi economist says he’s cautiously optimistic about the future outlook for the state’s economy even though he’s expecting statistics to show thousands of jobs were lost during the recent Delta variant surge.

China has a power problem — and it’s getting worse. This is not about political power — it’s about electricity. And it has implications that go far beyond the country’s borders.

Although it’s still only September, the impact of the pandemic is already stretching to another holiday shopping season. It’s not just a supply issue for those looking to buy gifts — it’s also hitting certain manufacturing economies across the Pacific.

Economies around the world are adjusting because of the pandemic. In Hawaiʻi, some of the disruptions have included the tech sector — and some young entrepreneurs. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has more on the state’s current crop of young startups.

Businesses on Oʻahu and in Maui County have been adjusting operations to comply with the counties' proof of vaccination orders. But an Oʻahu business owner believes he shouldn't have been put in this position.