Hawaii is embarked on a long-term quest to transform and diversify its economic base to be less dependent on just two or three major industries. As we have learned over the years and are reminded of with the current economic slowdown, it is vital that we have a range of economic activity on which to rely and to help us create high-paying, high-skilled jobs for the future.

To ensure that this effort is effective we must be able to measure our progress in each of the phases of transformation. The set of innovation indicators presented in these reports is meant to serve as that measurement tool. It provides pivotal metrics that will tell us how well our innovation capacity is developing, how this capacity is translating into an innovation sector, and how this capacity and the development of the innovation economy is raising our overall productivity, competitiveness and standard of living.

The indicators were developed, compiled and analyzed by DBEDT's Research and Economic Analysis Division, drawing from among the best models for such measurements nationwide, as well as past efforts in Hawaii. They will allow us to continually monitor our progress in economic transformation and provide insight into what efforts are most effective.

The 2008 base report provides a thorough discussion of each indicator as well as the conceptual basis and methods for compiling the data. The 2010 update report provides the latest data as of the end of 2009, including any changes made in the indicators series

• December 2008 Base Report (1MB)
• January 2010 Update Report (1MB)