The Chamber represents more than 2,000+ businesses of all sizes representing 210,000 employees from a wide variety of industries that are contributing more than $32 billion in revenue to Hawaii’s economy.
View the Chamber’s Event Schedule for 2024
Young professionals 📣
- Let's stop our friends and family from leaving Hawaii.
- Let's ensure our state has a vibrant workforce and community.
- Let's find ways for young people to thrive in the islands.
Our Why
Young professionals know firsthand how challenging it can be to live and raise a family in Hawaii. Our state notoriously ranks #1 or #2 in a number of unaffordability metrics:
Earlier in our careers, Millennials and Gen Zers are heavily affected by the high cost of living. We are mindful of how much it costs for one person to live in Hawaii, let alone a whole family. Because of the unaffordability:
These population dynamics are causing workforce challenges (leading to business closures and constraints on economic growth), lower tax revenue, and changing demographics. Indeed, today, there are more native Hawaiians living outside of Hawaii, and our state has fastest aging population in the country.
We need to keep our home affordable for the future of Hawaii.
In this interactive event, collaborate with legislators and industry experts and help to brainstorm solutions for our affordability issues.
What to Expect: Pre-Summit, Summit, and Pau Hana
Pre-Summit "Surviving In Today's Hawaii" presented by American Savings Bank: 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Arrive to the Summit early to network with like-minded leaders and change makers, enjoy continental breakfast, and receive helpful information on what it takes to survive in Hawaii today.
Attend a workshop on:
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Growing Your Money: Learn how you can best save and invest your money
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Jason Mecham, Director, Technology Banking Systems, American Savings Bank
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Nathan Yang, Partner, Cades Schutte LLLP
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Starting a Side Hustle: Learn how you can transform your hobby or idea into a business
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Coen Cadinha, Founder, Keiki Rise
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Pascual Castaño, Senior Advisor, Hawaii Small Business Development Center
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Buying a Home: Learn what it takes to purchase your first home
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Reyn Sugai, Residential Loan Officer, American Savings Bank
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Joshua Guillen, Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker
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Preparing for College: Learn how you can finance your college education
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David Sun-Miyashiro, Executive Director, HawaiiKidsCAN
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Jeannie Lum, Outreach Partnership Specialist, Western Region, University of Maryland Global Campus
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Understanding Tax Deductions and Credits for Young Professionals: Learn about the most common types of ways to save on taxes
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Darryl Nitta, Tax Partner, Accuity LLP
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Improving Your Career Opportunities: Learn how to level up and climb the corporate ladder
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Alexarae Kam, Manager, Industrial Division, ALTRES Staffing
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Kelly Ueoka, President, Pacxa
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9:30-10:00 AM: Governor Josh Green, Morning Keynote Address
10:00-10:45 AM: Cost of Housing Panel Discussion
- Scott Glenn, Senior Advisor, Federal Affairs, Climate, and Housing for Governor Josh Green
- Sterling Higa, Executive Director, Housing Hawaii's Future
- Alana Kobayashi Pakkala, Manager & EVP, Kobayashi Group
- Billy Pieper, SVP & Director of Strategic Partnerships, American Savings Bank
- Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chair
- Councilmember Matthew Weyer, City & County of Honolulu, Housing, Sustainability and Health Committee Chair
12:10 - 12:30 PM: Afternoon Keynote Address 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Networking, Expo, and Collaboration Break
1:00 - 1:50 PM: Cost of Childcare and Workforce Retention Panel Discussion
- Chevelle Davis, Director of Early Childhood and Health Policy, Hawaii Children's Action Network
- Pamela Strode, Owner and Director, Strode Montessori
- Candice Wong, Director of Benefit Services, Altres
- Vivian Eto, Strategy and Project Management Lead at Early Childhood Action Strategy
- Moderated by Josh Wisch, Executive Director, Holomua Collective
3:00 - 4:00 PM: Legislator Connect
- Sen. Stanley Chang, Senate Housing Committee Chair
- Rep. Luke Evslin, House Housing Committee Chair
- Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Senate Housing Committee Vice Chair
- Rep. Linda Ichiyama, House Water & Land Committee Chair
- Rep. Greggor Ilagan, Vice Speaker of the House
- Rep. Darius Kila
- Rep. Trisha La Chica, House Education Committee Vice Chair
- Rep. Rachele Lamosao, House Economic Development Committee Vice Chair
- Rep. Lisa Marten, House Human Services Committee Chair
- Sen. Sharon Moriwaki, Senate Ways & Means Committee Vice Chair
- Rep. Amy Perruso, House Higher Education & Technology Committee Chair
- Councilmember Val Okimoto, City & County of Honolulu
- ? and many more!
Cost of Living Summit registration includes attendance to all sessions including Pre-Summit, Summit, Pau Hana Networking including continental breakfast, lunch and pau hana.
Click on the image below to view Jessica Yuhara and Alena Kangas Auyoung on the Hawaii News Now Sunrise Show talk about the Cost of Living Summit.
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Friday Oct 25, 2024
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM HST
Fees/Admission
Online Registration: 10/1 - 10/21
YP members: $50
Legislator (Lunch Only) $30
Non-members: $65
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Presenting Sponsor: $7,500
Silver Sponsor: $4,000
Bronze Sponsor: $2,000
Exhibitor Sponsor: $250
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
Jordan Odo, Chair Elect
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