One thing that’s surfaced from the pandemic is the local sense that we really need a “Plan B”; something alongside tourism as a dependable, economic driver here. As horrific as bubbles, isolation, quarantining, social distancing, and staying put have been, the more people you talk to here, the more you realize how nice many feel this place is without huge crowds, constant traffic, parking dilemmas, short term renters, et al. Geez, what a concept.
But reality indicates that, despite omicron’s ominous overtures, the vital visitors are back, and so are the discomforts many feel with that additional human crunch. Yes, tourism is the engine of our economy, with huge ripple effects felt throughout so many other industries. We got it. But now that we’ve had a glimpse of what Hawai`i looks and feels like when the visitors don’t arrive in droves, wouldn’t today be a really good time to focus on Plan B and even C?
Since we didn’t solve the local alternate-economic-source dilemma during 1995 or 2009 recessions, and since inflation, supply shortages and workers malaise are also a reality today, now would be a great time to pool local and outside brainpower as we seek new options, rather just speculate, pontificate, and ponder?
Can Hawai`i become a bigger haven for remote workers due to its natural charm, friendliness, and all of the other reasons one might want to live here but work elsewhere? Can public-private partnerships or tax incentives allow Hawai`i to become a hub for alternative energy corporations, cybersecurity firms, think tanks, or other sectors that might keep a workforce well-paid and engaged?
Plan B could be an all-encompassing effort to keep 25- to 55-year olds here, rather than continue to see the emigration we’ve witnessed over the past five years. For if we don’t get serious about Plan B, the “B” will stand for Plan Bale, Plan Bumbai, or Plan Bye-Bye, as floundering residents will continue seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
And before you say “good, if no can, no can” relative to people staying, take a look at our aging population. Who’s going to provide the resources, labor capital, and tax base for everyone’s golden years if we don’t act now?
A series of all-inclusive, action-oriented strategy conferences might provide tangible, actionable, and even legislat-able answers needed today, not in 2035 or 2050. Maybe, just maybe, Plan B could evolve into “Plan Brilliant”.
Think about it…