Comments on: NOW ON THE HOT SEAT: STATE CHIEF ECONOMIST PEARL IMADA IBOSHI http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:40:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2091 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 23:11:14 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2091 We had a lot of questions on the economy and on increasing prices. Our experience is that Hawaii has a very resilient economy that has gone through numerous cycles. Our forecast is that we will continue to see growth in the next few years, albeit at a slower rate than the last few years. I continue to believe that our best strategy is to focus on policies that will improve our long-term growth potential. We had a lot of questions on the economy and on increasing prices. Our experience is that Hawaii has a very resilient economy that has gone through numerous cycles. Our forecast is that we will continue to see growth in the next few years, albeit at a slower rate than the last few years. I continue to believe that our best strategy is to focus on policies that will improve our long-term growth potential.

]]> By: Jeanne Mariani-Belding http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2090 Jeanne Mariani-Belding Wed, 14 May 2008 23:08:32 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2090 That’s it, we’re out of time. Thanks to all of you who participated in today’s Hot Seat — and a special thanks to the state’s chief economist, Pearl Imada Iboshi, for taking the time to have this community conversation with our readers. Be sure to watch for excerpts of this community conversation in Sunday’s Focus Section. Up next: We’ll take on the ConCon debate. Stay tuned and check our Hot Seat site to see who’s coming next. That’s it, we’re out of time.

Thanks to all of you who participated in today’s Hot Seat — and a special thanks to the state’s chief economist, Pearl Imada Iboshi, for taking the time to have this community conversation with our readers.

Be sure to watch for excerpts of this community conversation in Sunday’s Focus Section.

Up next: We’ll take on the ConCon debate. Stay tuned and check our Hot Seat site to see who’s coming next.

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2089 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 23:08:00 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2089 Chloe: May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm Ms. Iboshi what’s your background in? Finance? What did you do before you became the state’s chief economist? ___ Thank you for asking. I have a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in economics. I worked at the East-West Center as an economist, studying and making policy recommendations on economic development and trade issues in South East Asian countries. I began working for the State in 1995 after 15 years at the EWC. You didn't ask, but I am from Hilo and attended Hilo High School. Chloe:

May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Ms. Iboshi what’s your background in? Finance? What did you do before you became the state’s chief economist?
___

Thank you for asking. I have a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in economics. I worked at the East-West Center as an economist, studying and making policy recommendations on economic development and trade issues in South East Asian countries. I began working for the State in 1995 after 15 years at the EWC. You didn’t ask, but I am from Hilo and attended Hilo High School.

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2088 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 23:04:36 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2088 Here’s another sent vi a e-mail from Jeff: Please ask Pearl Iboshi what impact rail will have on our economy, I’m sure there are projections for jobs and the like, right? Besides that, I would think it will help when people can’t afford cars any more, including gas, does Pearl Iboshi have any thoughts on that one? Is there lots of discussions on this relating to the economy with the governor? Thank you. ___ Building a rail line will definitely increase construction spending in the next several years. We have not done an economic analysis, but clearly having a rail line will mean construction not only of the line itself but also will bring about development in the areas around the terminals. Here’s another sent vi a e-mail from Jeff:
Please ask Pearl Iboshi what impact rail will have on our economy, I’m sure there are projections for jobs and the like, right? Besides that, I would think it will help when people can’t afford cars any more, including gas, does Pearl Iboshi have any thoughts on that one? Is there lots of discussions on this relating to the economy with the governor? Thank you.

___

Building a rail line will definitely increase construction spending in the next several years. We have not done an economic analysis, but clearly having a rail line will mean construction not only of the line itself but also will bring about development in the areas around the terminals.

]]> By: Chloe http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2087 Chloe Wed, 14 May 2008 23:03:22 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2087 Ms. Iboshi what's your background in? Finance? What did you do before you became the state's chief economist? Ms. Iboshi what’s your background in? Finance? What did you do before you became the state’s chief economist?

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2086 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 23:02:09 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2086 Shawn: May 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm How big is your department and what is your budget? ___ My division, the Research and Economic Analysis Division in DBEDT has 21 filled positions and our budget is $1.4 million of general funds and $1.3 million from the Tourism Special fund for tourism research. Shawn:

May 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
How big is your department and what is your budget?

___

My division, the Research and Economic Analysis Division in DBEDT has 21 filled positions and our budget is $1.4 million of general funds and $1.3 million from the Tourism Special fund for tourism research.

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2085 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 22:59:42 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2085 Tina: May 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm Just one more quick question; what kind of money impact would clean elections have on the state? If the state is required to kick in money for campaigns where would that money come from? more taxes? __ Tina, I am sorry but this is an area where I do not have enough information to give you a good answer or even to direct you to the right agency. Tina:

May 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Just one more quick question; what kind of money impact would clean elections have on the state? If the state is required to kick in money for campaigns where would that money come from? more taxes?

__

Tina, I am sorry but this is an area where I do not have enough information to give you a good answer or even to direct you to the right agency.

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2084 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 22:56:10 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2084 John: May 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm In light of the economic downturn, what kind of adivce are you giving Gov. Lingle for Hawaii during the next 5 - 10 years? What type of economy will our children be looking at in the next 10 - 20 years? __ Economic growth is cyclical. We have just completed nearly five years of very strong growth and our forecast is for moderate growth over the next few years. My recommendation would be to not look for quick fixes but focus on things that will provide a foundation for continued growth, including building a better educated workforce, fixing infrastructure and making it easier to do business in our State. John:

May 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
In light of the economic downturn, what kind of adivce are you giving Gov. Lingle for Hawaii during the next 5 - 10 years? What type of economy will our children be looking at in the next 10 - 20 years?

__

Economic growth is cyclical. We have just completed nearly five years of very strong growth and our forecast is for moderate growth over the next few years. My recommendation would be to not look for quick fixes but focus on things that will provide a foundation for continued growth, including building a better educated workforce, fixing infrastructure and making it easier to do business in our State.

]]> By: Jeanne Mariani-Belding http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2083 Jeanne Mariani-Belding Wed, 14 May 2008 22:54:58 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2083 Here's another sent vi a e-mail from Jeff: Please ask Pearl Iboshi what impact rail will have on our economy, I'm sure there are projections for jobs and the like, right? Besides that, I would think it will help when people can't afford cars any more, including gas, does Pearl Iboshi have any thoughts on that one? Is there lots of discussions on this relating to the economy with the governor? Thank you. Here’s another sent vi a e-mail from Jeff:
Please ask Pearl Iboshi what impact rail will have on our economy, I’m sure there are projections for jobs and the like, right? Besides that, I would think it will help when people can’t afford cars any more, including gas, does Pearl Iboshi have any thoughts on that one? Is there lots of discussions on this relating to the economy with the governor? Thank you.

]]> By: Pearl Imada Iboshi http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2082 Pearl Imada Iboshi Wed, 14 May 2008 22:52:03 +0000 http://hotseat.honadvblogs.com/2008/05/14/now-on-the-hot-seat-state-chief-economist-pearl-imada-iboshi/#comment-2082 Here’s another one sent via e- mail from Toucan: So I don’t see any plan on the state’s part to deal with all the job losses and higher most, other than sending these response teams to tell us what we already know. Times are tough. Is there a plan to deal with the huge increase this state will see in demand for social services and programs that deal with the poor and the soon to be hungry? Time to wake up. ___ Thank you for the question Toucan. There are many programs by the State to assist the unemployed, including training and education. Hirenethawaii.com is a website that can help you find jobs and training opportunites. There are also one-stop workforce development centers on each island. Here’s another one sent via e- mail from Toucan: So I don’t see any plan on the state’s part to deal with all the job losses and higher most, other than sending these response teams to tell us what we already know. Times are tough. Is there a plan to deal with the huge increase this state will see in demand for social services and programs that deal with the poor and the soon to be hungry? Time to wake up.

___

Thank you for the question Toucan. There are many programs by the State to assist the unemployed, including training and education. Hirenethawaii.com is a website that can help you find jobs and training opportunites. There are also one-stop workforce development centers on each island.

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