by C.J. Gustafson
BusinessSchools.com Contributing Writer
October 20, 2004
Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, is on the island of Oahu. No one knows
for certain when Honolulu (which means sheltered harbor) was founded, but King
Kamehameha I, who conquered Oahu, proclaimed Honolulu the capital city in 1850.
The location eventually became the most important shipping point in Hawaii.
It flourished with the sandalwood export and then as a supply port for whalers.
Other key products and services such as the sugar industry, pineapple export,
light manufacturing, tourism, and defense installations developed over time.
Today, the city is home to 371,657 residents, and defense and tourism remain
top sectors of the island's diverse economy.
A Unique Learning Environment
Hawaii is unique among U.S. states in many ways, as it is made up of eight main islands and over a hundred more that are smaller in size. The islands are governed by county structures that often encompass one entire island. The only other forms of government are state and federal. There is only one school district and it is administered by the state. Although cities are unique and offer their own personalities and features, island identity is equally important, and the islands as a whole tend to band together more cohesively than do many cities within other states. This creates unique business environments and statewide communities and initiatives. And at the center of it all, at least figuratively, is Honolulu County, which in 2000 was responsible for 72% of all private sector employment in the state.
Business In Paradise
2002 information from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
provided the following list of Honolulu's largest employment sectors:
- Accommodation and food services - 50,644 employees
- Retail trade - 43,806 employees
- Health care and social assistance - 39,322 employees
- Administrative and waste services - 29,726 employees
- Transportation and utilities - 19,526 employees
- Professional and technical services - 18,496 employees
Although tourism is king throughout the island, other leading industry sectors
include agri-business, astronomy and space technology, biotechnology, business
services, and call centers. The Hawaiian Islands, and particularly the city
of Honolulu, also are known worldwide for their captive insurance industry,
a niche insurance market for companies whose primary business is something other
than insurance.
Key economic sectors that Hawaii and Honolulu County are working to promote
are in the technology-driven sectors. Some specific industries include computer
software, telecommunications, satellite tracking, genetic research and cloning
technology, and cancer research and advanced medical treatment.
Educational Opportunities
Another feature that makes Honolulu unique among U.S. cities is its demographic
makeup. In its not-too-distant past, Hawaii imported contract labor from Japan
and China. These workers and their families eventually became an integral part
of the islands' culture. In addition, its location in the Pacific Rim provides
convenient access for many foreign countries in the region. Today, over 55%
of Honolulu's population is Asian. Many Asian holidays and customs are observed,
and tourists and business travelers from those countries are key components
of Hawaii's economy. Thus, the Hawaiian workforce is skilled in Asian languages
and business protocols, and the islands' educational centers, including those
on Oahu, are known as world leaders in multicultural education and training.
This is especially appealing for those students who are interested in international
business.
According to the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Economic Security, "Hawaii benefits from a combination of geography and the coming together of teachers and students from different cultures, each bringing special skills, knowledge, and experience. This has resulted in the development of institutions that are responsive to the needs of Asia-Pacific nations, and an environment conducive to mutual understanding and learning."
Honolulu's higher education facilities that offer coursework for business students
include Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University's Division of Business Administration and Division of Professional Studies, and the University of Hawaii - Manoa College of Business Administration, which offers specialized executives' MBA programs (including a health-care-focused MBA in addition to its regular business degree programming). Chaminade University has a management program and also offers a variety of MBA degrees. Argosy University has a campus in Honolulu, and the city has four community colleges as well.
Along with the various MBA programs, students at these schools can earn Accounting degrees, Marketing and Public Relations degrees, e-commerce degrees, and economics degrees. They can prepare to enter general business management careers and administration careers in specialized fields such as health care, nursing and criminal justice.
Honolulu provides an exotic and diverse learning environment for business
students, but don't let the vacation atmosphere fool you. The city has some
of the most well-respected business programs in the world. Brent Arakaki, who
was born on Oahu, attended business school at the University of Hawaii. He's
proud of the international reputation of the college. "People tend to think
that because Hawaii is all about sun and tourism, it must not have any serious
schools," he shared. "But UH's College of Business consistently makes the lists
of top schools in the country. Just the name of the school alone opened doors
for me when I decided to work in Japan. And growing up in Hawaii, I already
knew much of the language. I was well prepared for the business world and I
was the best surfer in the company."
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