Hawaii Business Roundtable

Hawaii Business Roundtable
Name	Hawaii Business Roundtable
Formation	20th century
Type	Business association
Headquarters	Honolulu, Hawaii
Region served	Hawaii
Leader title	Chair

Hawaii Business Roundtable is a private association of corporate executives and civic leaders based in Honolulu, Hawaii that engages in public policy discussion and community leadership. The organization convenes stakeholders from sectors including tourism, energy, finance, real estate, and technology to address regional issues affecting Hawaii (island), Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu while interacting with institutions such as the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Aloha Tower Development Corporation, and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.

History

The Roundtable traces roots to mid‑20th century business coalitions that formed after World War II alongside entities like the United States Navy, Pan American World Airways, Matson, Inc., Alexander & Baldwin, and C. Brewer & Co. to influence territorial and state policy. During the 1960s and 1970s the group engaged with projects connected to the Interstate Highway System expansions, Aloha Airlines growth, and the development of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, paralleling debates involving the Territorial Legislature of Hawaii and the transition to state governance under leaders such as John A. Burns and Daniel Inouye. In subsequent decades the Roundtable intersected with initiatives from the Hawaiian Electric Industries, Alexander & Baldwin, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority on issues ranging from land use controversies near Waikīkī and Kapolei to infrastructure matters related to the Hawaii Superferry and the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.

Mission and Objectives

The Roundtable's stated aims emphasize leadership, economic development, and civic stewardship, aligning with strategic priorities championed by organizations such as the Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and AARP. It seeks to foster partnerships among private-sector firms like Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, American Savings Bank, Kamehameha Schools, and Outrigger Hotels and Resorts while coordinating with public bodies including the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawaii), and the Department of Transportation (Hawaii). Objectives often reference workforce development programs tied to the Pacific University System, community resilience projects associated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and environmental stewardship efforts connected to the Nature Conservancy and Hawaiʻi Land Trust.

Membership and Leadership

Membership historically comprises chief executives and board chairs from firms such as Matson, Inc., Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Alexander & Baldwin, Kamehameha Schools, Gentry Homes, DBEDT (Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism), and professional services firms like Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG. Leadership rosters have included prominent figures from the islands' corporate sector, legal community, and philanthropic institutions similar to leaders associated with Hawaii Community Foundation, Alexander & Baldwin Foundation, Bank of Hawaii Foundation, Outrigger Enterprises Group, and the Hawaiʻi Hotel & Lodging Association. The Roundtable often invites ex officio participation from elected officials such as the Governor of Hawaii, members of the United States Congress from Hawaii, and may coordinate with federal appointments like officials from the United States Department of the Interior.

Activities and Programs

The Roundtable organizes roundtable forums, policy briefings, and convenings that mirror programming by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Young Presidents' Organization, Rotary International, and the Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union on subjects including sustainable tourism, renewable energy, affordable housing, and workforce training. Events have featured guest speakers from institutions such as the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Pacific Islands Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and private sector executives from Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Programs include partnership initiatives with educational organizations like Kapiʻolani Community College, Windward Community College, and nonprofit groups such as Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice.

Policy Positions and Advocacy

The Roundtable has advocated positions on infrastructure funding, land use regulation, energy policy, and taxation that intersect with debates involving the Hawaii State Legislature, Governor of Hawaii, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and agencies like the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Its stances have at times aligned with business coalitions such as the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce on issues like tax incentives, public‑private partnerships, and regulatory reform, while engaging with environmental stakeholders including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawaiian Civic Clubs on cultural and natural resource considerations. Policy letters and testimony have addressed projects tied to the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, renewable energy procurements with Hawaiian Electric Industries, and housing initiatives related to Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources include membership dues from corporations like Matson, Inc., First Hawaiian Bank, and Alexander & Baldwin, sponsorships from hospitality firms such as Outrigger Hotels and Resorts and Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and philanthropic support from entities like the Hawaii Community Foundation and private family foundations. Partnerships span collaboration with academic centers such as the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, nonprofit groups like the Nature Conservancy, and civic alliances resembling the Blue Planet Foundation and Hawaiʻi Green Growth for joint initiatives on sustainability and resilience.

Impact and Criticism

The Roundtable has influenced public debate on economic strategy, infrastructure investment, and environmental planning with outcomes resonating across sectors represented by Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of Transportation (Hawaii), and private developers like Gentry Projects. Critics—including advocacy groups such as 350.org, ʻAha Kiole, and community organizations in Kakaʻako and Waimanalo—have argued that the Roundtable's corporate orientation sometimes privileges large developers and established interests over grassroots stakeholders and Native Hawaiian organizations like Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement advocates. Supporters counter that its convening power has enabled cross-sector cooperation among institutions such as FEMA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and local foundations to advance resilience, workforce, and infrastructure projects.

Category:Business organizations based in Hawaii