High Tech, U.S.–Asian Business Power Hawaii’s Economy

POPULATION: 1,283,388 (July 2007)

LABOR FORCE: 649,100 (2007)

RIGHT TO WORK: No

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Tourism, federal activity (defense- and nondefense-related activity), agricultural products

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Clean/renewable energy, high technology, biotechnology, environmental remediation technology, resort architecture and engineering, retail, film and television production, ocean science and technology, seafood, diversified agriculture, sports, education and training, health and fitness services

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 29.7% (2006)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: 4.4 percent on first $25,000 of taxable income; 5.4 percent on income over $25,000 but not over $100,000; 6.4 percent on amount over $100,000 of taxable income

Corporate Organization and Qualification Fees: $50 for filing articles of incorporation for in-state corporation or out-of-state corporation registration ($75 for expedited processing)

General Excise (Sales) and Use Tax: Rate ranges from 0.5 percent to 4 percent of the value of gross income according to type of business; 4 percent on retail sales of goods and services (except those exported); 0.5 percent on manufacturing or wholesaling (except for exported goods and services). Effective Jan. 1, 2007, activities with a business purpose on the island of Oahu which are subject to the 4 percent GET rate are also subject to an additional 0.5 percent tax for the City and County of Honolulu's mass transit system

Property Tax: Real property tax rates are set and collected by the four counties; commercial rate is $12.40 per $1,000 valuation in the City and County of Honolulu; $9.00 per $1,000 valuation on land in Hawaii County; $6.90 per $1,000 valuation on land in Kauai County; and $6.25 per $1,000 valuation on land in Maui County; property assessed at 100 percent of fair market value; no tax on personal property

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Hawaii Enterprise Zones Program (excise and income tax incentives)
Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (venture capital)
High-Technology Development Corporation (incubator facilities and technology development)
NELHA (incubator facility in ocean and marine-related products)
Community-Based Economic Development Program (grants and loans for non-profit community-based organizations)
Business Action Center (one-stop license and business registration)
Small Business Development Centers (federal business counseling program)
Foreign-trade zones (export assistance)
Investor tax incentives for new high-technology companies
Immigrant Investor Program (residency and immigration incentives)