Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
2025 YP Cost of Living Summit presented by Tradewind Group
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Events unite the business community to enhance the state’s economic climate by fostering success for businesses and business leaders alike. Attend or sponsor a Chamber event to promote your company, build brand awareness, market to your target demographics, expand your network and invest in your local community.
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🤝 Let’s Build a More Livable Hawaii Together
The 2025 YP Cost of Living Summit presented by Tradewind Group isn’t just another conference. It’s where ideas become policy, and where Hawaii’s young professionals get equipped to lead right now.
🔍 2025 Focus: Blueprint for Affordability
This year’s summit is built around the Chamber’s 2030 Blueprint—a bold roadmap to a more competitive, affordable Hawaii. Through two main sessions, we’ll examine how infrastructure, housing, and civic action intersect with rising costs, and what role you can play in the fight for a livable future.
*Speaker and agenda details are currently being finalized. Please visit the site periodically for the latest update!
Full-Day Agenda
7:45 – 8:15 AM | Registration + Breakfast
8:15 – 9:05 AM | Financial Literacy Workshop presented by American Savings Bank
Choose from hands-on workshops designed to empower your financial future:
- Growing Your Money - Learn about the different ways to invest your money.
- Buying a Home – Learn what it takes to purchase a home
- Understanding Tax Deductions and Credits - Learn about the most commons types of ways to save on taxes
- Developing Your Own Business – Learn about various pathways towards becoming and growing as a business owner
Summit Kick Off:
9:15 – 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks + Morning Keynote
Begin the morning with an energizing to set the tone for the rest of the day.
9:45 – 10:00 AM | 2025 Legislative Recap, Guest Speaker - Tonga Hopoi, VP of Economic Development, Government and Community Relations, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Hear highlights from the most recent legislative session and how key policies may impact Hawaii's cost of living.
10:00 – 10:15 AM | Chamber’s 2030 Blueprint Overview, Guest Speaker - Mike Ching, Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP & Board Chair, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
We’ll dive into the Chamber’s vision for reimagining Hawaii’s housing and infrastructure systems to make them more accessible and equitable.
Part I: Housing + Infrastructure:
10:15 – 11:05 AM | Panel Discussion
We’ll dive into the Chamber’s vision for reimagining Hawaii’s housing and infrastructure systems to make them more accessible and equitable.
11:05 – 11:45 AM | Small-Group Breakouts
Join breakout sessions to ask questions, share your story, and brainstorm solutions around housing, transportation, and development.
12:00 - 12:20 PM | Lunch Keynote Speaker
A featured speaker will bring it all together—highlighting actionable ideas that challenge the status quo and inspire momentum.
12:20 – 1:15 PM | Legislator Connect, Guest Speaker - Senator Stanley Chang
Enjoy lunch with lawmakers shaping policy on cost-of-living issues. This is your chance to speak directly with those at the table.
1:15 - 1:45 PM | Networking
Part II: How to Advocate for Change
1:45 - 2:35 PM | Panel Discussion
This afternoon session breaks down the tools, platforms, and strategies you can use to make your voice heard.
Featured speakers include:
- Jacob Aki, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Alaska Airlines
- Nicole Velasco, Business Development Lead, NORESCO
- Sarah Guay, President & CEO, Hawaii Employers Council
2:35 – 3:15 PM | Small-Group Breakouts
Explore how advocacy looks for you. Join the group that fits your life experience and discuss what your next step could be.
3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Keynote Speaker - Mayor Derek Kawakami
Hear from a leading local or national voice who’s turned advocacy into impact and how you can too.
4:00 – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks
We’ll end the day by outlining clear actions you can take post-summit—whether it’s joining a policy committee, submitting testimony, or mentoring a peer.
4:15 – 6:00 PM | Pau Hana
Cap off your day with a pau hana social, complete with complimentary pupus and a drink ticket. Reflect, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees who are just as committed to shaping Hawaii’s future as you are.
Click here to view last year's recap!
Registration includes:
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Breakfast + financial literacy workshop
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Full access to panels, speakers, and breakout sessions
- Legislative lunch and networking - Choose from the following sandwich options:
- Chicken Caesar Sandwich - Grilled chicken, Kula romaine, parmesan, seeded crumble on ciabatta bread
- Grilled Vegetable Pesto (Vegan) - Pesto, sumac, tomato, romaine, alfalfa sprouts, thyme, EVOO, vegan mayo on ciabatta bread
- Turkey Sandwich - Sliced turkey, roasted eggplant, caramelized onion, fennel compote, Kewpie, romaine, alfalfa sprouts, pickled mustard seed
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Pau hana drink + pupus
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Access to local leaders, resources, and advocacy tools
For sponsorship information, please contact Aly Wee, Sponsorship Committee Chair, at aly@alywee.com, or click here to see available packages.
This is your Hawaii. Let’s make it work! 🌈
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Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Friday Oct 17, 2025
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM HST
Location
Prince Waikiki
Parking: $10 for self-parking and $15 for valet.
Fees/Admission
Don’t wait to sign up - Regular pricing increases on October 1!
Early Bird Registration: 7/11 - 8/31 *Discount will automatically be applied at checkout*
YP members: $45
Non-members: $60
Legislator (Lunch Only): $40
Online Registration: 9/1 - 9/30
YP members: $55
Non-members: $70
Legislator (Lunch Only): $40
Last Call Registration: 10/1 - 10/16
YP members: $65
Non-members: $80
Legislator (Lunch Only): $40
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Silver Sponsor: $4,000
Bronze Sponsor: $2,000
Exhibitor Sponsor: $299
Refund policy:
5 or more business days prior to event - full refund
2-4 business days before event - 50% refund
0-1 business day before event - no refund
In consideration for participating as a guest in any Chamber of Commerce Hawaii event, I agree to hold the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii harmless and release it from any liability arising from any lost, missing stolen or damaged personal property at any of its events. Please keep all personal property under observation or secured.
This event is being photographed and videoed. By entering, you agree to the use of recordings of you in connection with editorial, promotional, and/or advertising materials relating to this event or our other events in any media. Please inform our photographer if you do not want your image used in this manner.
Contact Information
Courtney Wagner, Chair Elect
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