Foreign students’ numbers and spending in Hawaii decline

Hawaii saw double-digit drops in the number of international students studying in the islands and the amount these students spent in the economy, according to a new report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

A total of 10,803 foreign students studying in the state generated $225.3 million in direct spending on tuition, fees and living expenses during the 2016-17 academic year, the report said. That’s down 25 percent from the $302 million that 12,194 international students spent the previous year.

The department said its Research and Economic Analysis Division surveyed “every available school that hosts international students in Hawaii across every possible educational and exchange program … likely representing the majority of international students.” That includes students studying at middle and high schools and those enrolled in long- and short-term post-secondary or training programs.

Students from Japan continue to make up the largest percentage of foreign students in Hawaii, representing 31 percent of all foreign students, with 3,318 students in the state last year. Japan was followed by South Korea with 1,061 students (9.8 percent), China with 695 students (6.4 percent), Switzerland with 667 students (6.2 percent) and Taiwan with 242 students (2.2 percent).

State officials attributed the decline to an overall drop in international students studying abroad as countries emphasize in-country education. Economic factors and increased marketing by other destinations were also factors.

“The recent decline is part of a global trend for foreign students, but we will continue to take steps to attract and promote international student exchanges, as they have the potential for future business relationships, which benefit the economy,” DBEDT Director Luis Salaveria said in a news release.

Dennis Ling, administrator for the department’s Business Development and Support Division, which leads the program for international student exchanges, added, “Although there was a year-over-year decline, foreign students studying in Hawaii is very much a significant industry contributing much to our economy.”

Beyond direct spending, other economic benefits, or ripple effects, from international students last year included:

>> $32 million in state taxes generated.

>> 5,093 jobs supported by foreign student spending.

>> $192 million in household earnings attributed to foreign students.

To boost the number of international students coming to Hawaii, DBEDT said it plans to implement a so-called Study Hawaii Ambassador Program aimed at encouraging foreign students who study here to spread the word via social media about Hawaii as a place for education.

The first 80 “ambassadors” will be students from Yasuda Women’s University, a private college in Hiroshima, Japan. The students are scheduled to be inducted today by the Hawaii English Language Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

DBEDT also plans to host a press-familiarization tour for education journalists from Asia and Europe. Journalists will be brought to Hawaii to visit educational institutions and learn about Hawaii as an education destination.