LIHU‘E — Having worked in the private sector for most of my professional career, being the county’s new director for the Office of Economic Development has been a great learning experience. First and foremost is the new-found appreciation I have for those in public service and their dedication to the people of Kaua‘i. The Office of Economic Development is one of many departments within our county government that play an integral role in ensuring we are “At Your Service!”
The mission of the Office of Economic Development is to work in partnership with the community to create economic opportunities towards the development of a healthy, stable and balanced economy for the county. As a government entity, we interface with business and community leaders, as well as other government agencies and programs to enhance Kaua‘i’s economic development opportunities. We also provide technical and financial support, as feasible, to businesses of all sizes and emerging industries, in an effort to provide full employment for all Kaua‘i’s residents. No doubt, these very trying economic times provide many challenges, but they also present many opportunities as well.
To carry out the functions of the department, five sections are managed by staff specialists in the areas of tourism, film, energy, agriculture and workforce development. I am dedicating this article in acknowledging the staff members who make up the Office of Economic Development and their role in serving you.
Nalani Brun is the Tourism Specialist and recently returned from a 4-year “rejuvenation break”. She previously worked in this capacity for 11 years and we appreciate her knowledge and vitality in the industry that drives the island’s main economic engine. Nalani believes that Sustainable Tourism has two important goals. The first is getting a Visitor to Kaua‘i and second, ensuring they have a memorable experience that will ensure their return and share their memories with family and friends.
Nalani works very closely with Sue Kanoho and the talented staff of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau in achieving the first goal. The Office of Economic Development provides funding to support the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau’s various sales and marketing initiatives that constantly put Kaua’i at the forefront of visitor destinations worldwide.
To achieve the second goal, and provide a memorable Kaua‘i vacation, Nalani works closely with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority in administering grants that help fund many worthwhile festivals and special events throughout the island year around. These events not only provide long, lasting memories for our visitors, but it also helps to perpetuate our island’s ethnic diversity and stimulate our kama’aina to share their culture.
Nalani also oversees the Airport Greetings program, which involves 70 different musicians that provide that special touch and Hawaiian music that our visitors and kama’aina enjoy.
Film industry is truly a unique and exciting business. As Film Commissioner, Art Umezu fits the bill. Kaua‘i’s film industry has a long and successful history and relationship, dating back to the 1930s, with Hollywood and movie producers around the world. Because of Kauai’s diverse and spectacular locations, accessible and non-accessible, filmmakers are attracted to produce movies, documentaries, TV commercials and print ads, reality TV shows and music videos here.
Kaua‘i Film Commission provides guidance and information, assisting filmmakers with finding locations, crews, equipment, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, caterers, film permits and others. One of the main purposes of Film Commission is to promote, market and support Kaua‘i as production location for all media. It provides employment during production as in the case of Ben Stiller and Dreamworks movie, “Tropic Thunder” which filmed on Kaua‘i in 2007 for nearly 10 months including scouting, preproduction and post-production. More than $65 million was spent on Kaua‘i with total budget of over $100 million. Hundreds of Kaua‘i residents were hired as production crew, actors and extras. Hotel occupancies were high and car rentals were booked solid during production. Local construction companies were hired to work on sets and at locations. KFC also works to ensure the safety and welfare of the local community and environment as well as for the film production.
Glenn Sato is our Energy specialist and pursues energy efficiency projects within the County, working with various agencies such as the Public Works’ Building Division, Wastewater Division, Parks & Recreation and Water Departments. Other partnering agencies include Transportation, Elderly Affairs and Civil Defense. He also assists these agencies in planning for and implementing renewable energy projects.
Glenn also partners with non-County agencies such as the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Garden Island RC&D, Last Chance Glass, State Department of Education, the 3 public high schools, Kaua‘i Community College, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board and the Pacific Missile Range Facility in securing grants to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Glenn is the lead county representative on the State Energy Council and is a member of the Governor’s Energy Advisory Committee, having been appointed by Mayor Carvalho. The State Energy Council and Governor’s Advisory Committee plans for and responds to energy emergencies resulting from disasters as well as market disruptions. Also under his purview is energy legislation as well as energy-related regulatory dockets that may impact the County and its constituents.
He plays a role that is vital to Kaua’i as energy use is at the core of all economic activity. Efficient use of our energy resources as well as wasteful practices has consequences. Agriculture, tourism, high technology and the film industries all depend on energy use to survive. Sustainable practices will leave much of our remaining resources to the future generations.
Bill Spitz is the department’s Agriculture specialist and has vast knowledge of the industry. Prior to working in the Office of Economic Development, Bill was employed with Castle & Cooke, Inc. and Dole Food Company on the mainland, O‘ahu, Lana‘i, and in the Far East.
He works with agricultural groups such as the Kaua‘i Cattlemen’s Association, Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau and other groups on ways to increase members’ viability. He also oversees the Kaua‘i Sunshine Markets program.
Bill serves on several agricultural committees and the board of Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. as well as other non-profit organizations. Several notable projects that he is currently working on include Coqui Frog control with the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee, the Kilauea Ag Park, and the Papaya Deinfestation Plant.
As the County’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) specialist and administrator, Jan Miyamoto oversees this federally-funded workforce training program for Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth working closely with our service providers, WorkWise! One Stop Career Center and the Department of Defense, through Paxen Incorporated. She also serves as staff for the Kaua‘i Workforce Investment Board (KWIB), a committed 30-member volunteer board comprised of business leaders and representatives from unions and various public and non-profit agencies who work tirelessly to ensure that the County most effectively utilizes our limited WIA funds to provide skills development and training that contributes to the economic health of our community.
The mission of the Kaua‘i Workforce Investment Board is to ensure Kaua‘i’s workforce is prepared with needed skills and talents to develop a flourishing business community. Its underlying objective is to ensure Kaua‘i “grows our own” talent, continuously supplying our evolving workforce talent pipeline needs.
Kymm Solchaga is our Workforce Development — Reed Act specialist. She is responsible for grant administration, project management, records and reporting management in accordance with award provisions for grants relating to the Reed Act funds. She works in collaboration with the Workforce Investment Act staff and all partners of WorkWise Kaua‘i to insure that grant activities are supportive of the overall goals for workforce development and economic development on Kaua‘i.
Key business leaders participated in Industry Forums to address key industry challenges and workforce development issues, to gather Labor Market Information data, elicit discussion and to develop working relationships within Kaua‘i’s six growth industry clusters: Food & Agriculture, Sports & Recreation, Health & Wellness, High Technology, Renewable Energy, and Arts & Culture.
The talent pipeline, and quality workforce for each industry and information gathered is being integrated into the Kaua‘i Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) strategic plan. This is just one of the many projects Reed Act money has been put to use.
All of the functions mentioned above could not possibly be accomplished without a dedicated administrative support staff. Leading the way is the department’s Administrative Assistant, Brenda Martin; Accountant, Kent Hirokawa and Clerk-Typist, Christina Konno. These three individuals assure our residents that the Office of Economic Development is “At Your Service!”
• George Costa is director of the Office of Economic Development and can be reached at gcosta@kauai.gov
