Page 6 - MidWeek West - Feb 1, 2023

6 FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Kapolei Chamber Of Commerce Receives Big Federal Boost
With some help from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, the Kap- olei Chamber of Commerce received $500,000 in federal funding to establish the West O‘ahu Innovation and Entre- preneur Center.
vate, stabilize and grow. “Our vision is to create a collaborative hub for West O‘ahu where entrepreneurs can access collaborative working spaces, engage in network opportunities, meet with clients, host events, and seek business resources and technical assistance,” he adds. “We are grateful Sen. Schatz recognizes the need for these resources in our growing
O‘ahu region is strategically positioned to lead the state’s economic recovery,” adds Talbot. “We sincerely thank Sen. Schatz for this funding and support.”
“The Innovation and En- trepreneur Center offers a unique approach to deliver long-term economic recov- ery, growth and resilience for West O‘ahu,” states Eliza Talbot, who chairs the task force. “The 2020 census re- ported that West O‘ahu ex- perienced the largest popula- tion growth statewide. There are 200,000 residents on this side of the island, yet the region has insufficient infra- structure, connectivity and business support services, including internet access.
First Hawaiian Bank Donates To Hawaiian Humane Society’s West Campus
First Hawaiian Bank is the latest to donate to Hawaiian Humane Society’s highly anticipated ‘Ewa Beach campus, which is slated to open this spring. The local bank put $100,000 toward the construction of dog gazebos at the community dog park, and an interior adoption room and examination room for cats. PHOTOS COURTESY FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK
“West O‘ahu has limit- ed meeting areas for small businesses and lacks the coworking spaces and cen- tralized business center ser- vices found in other parts of O‘ahu,” states Kiran Polk, executive director of Kapo- lei Chamber of Commerce. “There is a substantial need for a physical place where businesses can be empow- ered and encouraged to inno-
“There are 200,000 residents on this side of the island, yet the region has insufficient infrastructure, connectivity and business support services, including internet access.”
ery, say the center is No. 1 on its list of priorities. Other items on the agenda include identifying ways to optimize the use of vacant lands, im- proving access to careers in diverse industries, helping small business integrate re- generative tourism and advo- cating for more film produc- tion opportunities.
The chamber anticipates the center, which will be located in Kapolei or ‘Ewa, will be open at least five days a week. Once complete, the community can expect to find educational resources, including business work- shops, counseling, big busi- ness mentorship for small and micro-business entre- preneurs, and more.
West O‘ahu community.”
For the project, the cham- ber is partnering with Ka- polei-based nonprofit The Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement. Together, they hope to reach the underserved
populations in West O‘ahu, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, veterans, kūpuna, women and mem- bers of the LGBTQ+ com- munity.
Meanwhile, the chamber’s Business Revitalization Task Force of West O‘ahu, a group established in 2021 to help kick-start economic recov-
“We developed the six priorities with the funda- mental belief that the West
For more information, visit kapoleichamber.com.