"Industry Connection" is your source for quarterly information on industry, economic and legislative news on national and local matters designed to keep you in the know. BIA Hawaii is The VOICE of the construction industry and we work diligently to promote our members through advocacy and education and provide community outreach programs to enhance the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

NATIONAL - Feds Offering States $1.2 Billion to Adopt More Stringent Energy Codes

HAWAII - Read the First Quarter 2023 DBEDT Research & Economic Analsis Report on the Construction Industry HERE

NATIONAL - Housing market update: quick shifts in market dynamics. Shocks to the economy suggest the Federal Reserve may temper short-term interest rate hikes, while new-home sales rates rebounded in February.

Single-Family Starts Remain Lackluster, but expected to begin sustained rebound later this year

HAWAII - UHERO's recent economic report indicates that Hawaii will continue to see an economic slowdown but no recession. Check out UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham's first quarter forecast full report HERE.

NATIONAL - Top priorities include tackling the affordability crisis and the key issues that must be addressed to ensure a robust housing market.

HAWAII - BIA's Government Relations Committee has been very active this session working hard to advocate for legislation that will both support and harm our industry. There are over 190 measures on BIA's Priorty and Watch list that can be viewed HERE. High priorty bills still alive as of March 20, 2023 total 31 and can be found HERE. Click HERE for BIA testimony submitted so far in the month of March.

In the building industry, the value of taking responsibility for one's actions and being accountable for the impact they have on others is reflected in efforts to ensure that construction activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner, and that workers are trained and equipped to perform their duties in a responsible way.

Stefanie Sakamoto is BIA's Legislative Liasion. She has been involved in the Hawaii political arena since 1999. Starting in the Hawaii State Senate, and then continuing on to the United States Congress, the Office of the Mayor of the City & County of Honolulu, and then the Hawaii State House of Representatives, Stefanie has political and legislative experience in all levels of government. Read more...