HONOLULU (HI Now) - Hawai’i’s Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO) is shedding new light on the relationship between the military and local communities. Executive Director Laurie Moore joined HI Now Daily to discuss the newly released Military in Hawai’i Economic Impact Factbook — the first consolidated, public-facing resource of its kind — along with results from a recent statewide community sentiment survey.
The Factbook reveals that in 2023, defense activity accounted for roughly 9% of Hawai’i’s GDP, supported about 17% of all jobs directly and indirectly, and generated $1.3 billion in contracts to local small businesses. These dollars flow across all islands and into everyday sectors like housing, healthcare, childcare, and local businesses.
The survey results, however, highlight a significant trust gap around environmental stewardship — with only about one-third of residents believing the military does a good job protecting natural resources. MACRO says this signals where more transparency and community engagement are needed.
Looking ahead, MACRO plans to host community open houses and continue research on community impacts. For more information and upcoming event details, visit macro.hawaii.gov.
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