Web site touts state as place for business

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawai'i Tourism Authority hopes to boost the state's business profile with a new Web site about meetings, conventions and business development.

Authority officials hope that www.hawaiiworks.com will become a way to get more people to view Hawai'i as a place to do business.

Frank Haas, the tourism authority's marketing director who spearheaded the project, said in a statement that "many people are unaware of the significant business activity that takes place here, including important meetings and conventions attended by executives from as close as California through the rest of the Mainland U.S. to other countries in Asia and Europe."

The launch of the site is in line with Gov. Linda Lingle's promotion of her administration's "Hawai'i Open for Business" efforts during the past year.

Rex Johnson, executive director of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, said in the statement that Hawai'i's location between the United States and Asia can be "a real plus to businesses that operate and think globally."

The site provides links to the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau's Corporate Meetings & Incentives Division, the Hawai'i Convention Center and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

It also gives information on emerging industries such as biotechnology and medical research and links to resources on starting a business in Hawai'i.

Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2470.