Hawaii has the ninth-worst state economy in the nation, according to a WalletHub report, “2018’s Best & Worst State Economies,” released Monday.
WalletHub, a Washington, D.C.-based personal finance website, compared the 50 states and District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength, including gross domestic product growth, startup activity and share of jobs in high-tech industries.
Hawaii ranked last, No. 51, in annual median household income, No. 49 in percentage of jobs in high-tech industries and No. 51 in exports per capita. Also, Hawaii ranked No. 43 in startup activity. At the same time, Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate and highest state-government surplus per capita.
The top-ranking state economies in the U.S. were Washington (No. 1), Utah (No. 2), Massachusetts (No. 3), California (No. 4) and Colorado (No. 5).
The bottom-ranking state economies in the U.S. were Arkansas (No. 47), West Virginia (No. 48), Alaska (No. 49), Mississippi (No. 50) and Louisiana (No. 51).
Bankoh Community Walk raises $101,500
Bank of Hawaii’s 12th annual Community Walk on Saturday raised $101,500 to benefit Helping Hands Hawaii, Honolulu Theatre for Youth and the Women’s Fund of Hawaii.
The bank’s Live Kokua Community Walk’s fundraising focus is on local, small nonprofit organizations that serve Hawaii communities.
Bank of Hawaii employees selected the walk’s beneficiaries through an online voting process, with the amount raised to be divided equally among the three:
>> Helping Hands Hawaii serves more than 20,000 local families and individuals by connecting them with a variety of programs and through helping members to help one another.
>> Honolulu Theatre for Youth produces professional theater and drama education programs.
>> The Women’s Fund of Hawaii helps the most vulnerable women and girls through promoting women’s financial security and girls’ leadership.
From 2007 to 2017, Bank of Hawaii employees have raised approximately $1.5 million through its community walk, benefiting a total of 97 organizations.
ON THE MOVE
The Saint Louis Alumni Association board of directors has announced that David Diamond has been hired as executive director of the Alumni Association (SLAA). He was with the Honolulu Police Department for more than 35 years, and he retired in December. Diamond has also been involved in the sports and membership committees of the Saint Louis Alumni Association and has coached at Saint Louis School as well.
Sutter Health Kahi Mohala has elected Cameron Nekota chairman of its board of directors for a two-year term. Nekota serves as senior vice president and division manager for bank properties and government affairs with First Hawaiian Bank.
Alexander & Baldwin has announced that Darren Strand has been named general manager for diversified agriculture on Maui. Strand’s responsibilities will include leading A&B’s diversified agricultural initiative in order to shift its former sugar lands to other agricultural operations.
