DBEDT Brings Business Resources to Entrepreneurs Statewide

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2026

Free Workshops Connect Hawaii Businesses with Financing, Grants, Export Assistance and Other Programs

HONOLULU-Hawaii entrepreneurs and small-business owners will have direct access to state business specialists during a series of free workshops on Hawaii Island, Oahu and Kauai beginning September 22. The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will also participate in the Innovate Maui Nui Conference on Maui on September 23.

The workshops bring several business support programs together in each community, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about financing, grants, export assistance, manufacturing support, clean energy programs, Foreign Trade Zone resources and other services available to help businesses grow and reach new markets. Topics vary by location.

"Hawaii has a range of programs to help businesses access capital, expand into new markets and strengthen their operations, but business owners do not always know where to start," said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. "These workshops bring our teams into communities across the state so entrepreneurs have an opportunity to ask questions, make direct connections and find the resources that best fit their business."

Programs represented at the workshops include the Community-Based Economic Development Loan Program, Enterprise Zone Program, Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program, clean energy financing, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency financing and Foreign Trade Zone import and export resources. Representatives and programs vary by location.

The schedule includes:

Kona:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9 to 11 a.m.
Natural Energy Laboratory, NELHA Hale Iako, Room 208
73-970 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona

Hilo:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2 to 4 p.m.
Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luau Hale
799 Piilani St., Hilo

The Hilo workshop will also include information from the U.S. Small Business Administration on loans and other small-business support programs.

Maui:
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Innovate Maui Nui Conference
Pilina Events Center, University of Hawaii Maui College
310 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului

DBEDT will participate in the conference's first day, focused on entrepreneurship and small-business development, connecting attendees with information about state business programs, grants and funding opportunities.

Oahu:
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 9 to 12 p.m.
Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center
1001 California Ave., Wahiawa

Kauai:
Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 to 12 p.m.
Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Exhibit Hall B
4191 Hardy St., Lihue

The events are free. Registration and additional information are available at invest.hawaii.gov/dbedt-workshop-2026.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaii's resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. The DBEDT mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all of Hawaii's citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation sector job growth.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, State of Hawaii
(808) 518-5480