Honolulu Economic Development: Information Technology

Information Technology is closely integrated with many of Honolulu's growth industries.

In 2001, Hawaii's Information Technology industry employment reached 4,416 in 733 establishments with a total annual payroll of $247.8 million. Average annual wage in this industry was $56,121. Between 1996 and 2001, the number of businesses in Hawaii's information technology industry grew 77%, whereas paid employment grew 86% which in turn increased payroll by 155% and average annual wage by 37%.

• Software development holds 48.9% of all jobs and 52% all businesses operating in the IT sector. This segment has indicated 286% growth in job creation between 1996 and 2001. 



• Information Services which includes information retrieval services, data processing and computer systems management & repair is the second largest segment in this sector. The segment employed 33% of all jobs available in the information technology sector. 



• Sales and service segment which includes retailers specializing in computer hardware and software accounted for 17% of all jobs in the info tech sector. Hawaii is home to many leading national retail chains, such as CompUSA and Circuit City. 



• Hardware assembly forms 1% of Hawaii's information technology jobs.

Honolulu's IT related assets include high speed connectivity between the United States and Asia, technology related business parks, incubator facilities, Maui Super Computer, growing venture capital funds and University of Hawaii initiatives are helping to foster synergistic growth among all technology-related industry clusters. Contractors such as Trex, Orincon, Oceanit and Science & Technology have secured multimillion defense contracts.

In addition, outstanding training facilities are creating a fast-growing information technology industry that attracts investors from all over the world. Some of the key highlights of these training facilities are:

• University of Hawaii Department of Information and Computer Sciences supports Honolulu's information technology industry through education and research, and acts as a catalyst for the growth of entrepreneurial high technology and software intensive industries in Hawaii. 



• Pioneering research in intelligent image processing and strategic resource management is being conducted by Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences departments.



• Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT), a consortium of University of Hawaii Community Colleges is committed to the development of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in Hawaii. PCATT offers customized training packages, many on-site. In addition, Honolulu Community College has partnered with Cisco Systems to provide certified network designations.



• Hawaii Software Service Center at UH provides strategic market information and business development resources for companies that create, sell, use or support software-based products.

New inventions and technologies developed at the University of Hawaii are available for licensing. The University's Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development maintain a listing of their inventions and technologies, and can facilitate technology transfer and licensing.

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