For Immediate Release: August 17, 2006
DBEDT Release News 06-23

HONOLULU--The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) has released the 38th annual edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book on the DBEDT web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt. The State Data Book is the most comprehensive source for geographical, social, economic, and political information relating to Hawaii.

"The 2005 State Data Book not only contains statistics collected from other sources but also the results of studies done by DBEDT," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "With diminishing data services from the private sector, this report remains the main resource for Hawaii-specific data."

The State of Hawaii Data Book is produced by the Department's Research and Economic Analysis Division. The new, 2005 edition features 797 tables. The following are just a few examples of the interesting information that can be found in the new State Data Book:

• 2005 was a record year for tourism and construction in Hawaii. Visitor arrivals reached 7.4 million and $11.9 billion in spending, while private construction permits topped $3.5 billion, up 28% from 2004.
• On July 1, 2005, the state's population age 65 years and over accounted for 13.7% of total population. The City & County of Honolulu and Kauai County had the highest proportion of this age group at 14.1%.
• In 2006, Hawaii experienced "Tax Freedom Day" on April 24, two days earlier than the U.S. average.
• Hawaii ranked 13th highest in the nation in 2004 for workers holding more than one job -- 7.6% of all jobholders in Hawaii compared with 5.4% nationally.
• The sales receipts for establishments with no paid employees (proprietors) grew at a faster rate for Hawaii (30%) than for the nation as a whole (25%) between 2000 and 2004.
• Electricity sales reached 10.5 billion KWH in 2005, and the electric companies experienced a revenue increase of 16.4% from 2004.

The State of Hawaii Data Book 2005 is available only on the DBEDT Internet site, at http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt. Tables may be viewed there or downloaded. DBEDT's Research and Economic Analysis Division may be contacted at 808-586-2466.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov