Posted on: Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Editorial
Business interests coming into focus

Just 18 months ago, it was clear that however revamped and refocused the O'ahu Economic Development Board called itself, it clearly was struggling.

The board had made an exciting move to hire Mike Fitzgerald, then head of the business development division of Enterprise Florida Inc., an Orlando, Fla., development group. Fitzgerald, with more than 20 years of experience, was part of the board's long-range strategy to boost O'ahu's economy.

But Fitzgerald turned the board's offer down, saying the business community here wasn't committed enough and lacked a sense of urgency.

Now he has agreed to take the job, and it couldn't come at a more critical time. His first order of business, he says, will be to create an effective network of help for start-up businesses. Then he wants to develop a marketing plan to lure specific companies to Honolulu.

Fitzgerald says the board, having changed its name to Enterprise Honolulu, now has the commitment — financial and otherwise — to advance the diversification of O'ahu's economy. We must hope he's right.