Top 5 Industries in Hawaii: Which Parts of the Economy are the Strongest?

Tourism may come to mind when many people think of industries in Hawaii, and while it is the strongest industry in Hawaii, the state's economy is rather diverse.

Statewide, 641,400 people are employed in Hawaii, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Here are the top five industries in the Aloha State.

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1. Tourism is the top industry in the state of Hawaii. Centrally located between the U.S. and Japan, Hawaii entertains tourists from around the world. People visit the state to enjoy the vast beaches and pleasant climate. The island of Oahu, also home to Waikiki Beach, is considered the main tourist area.

In 2014, the Hawaiian islands had a record year for tourism. More than 8.2 million people visited the area in 2014, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

2. Defense is a large part of Hawaii’s economy. Several Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and Air Force bases are located in the state. With so many military personnel stationed in the state, the government also has its own military newspapers, golf courses, and accommodations for its employees.

Almost 4 percent of Hawaii’s population is military personnel (47,410), not including those who work in the civilian sector, reports To-Hawaii.com based on 2010 U.S. census data.

3. With such a tropical climate, Hawaii is a producer of many agricultural products.

That state is second in the nation for sugar cane production and the first in the nation for pineapple production. Specialty crops — such as flowers, coffee, and macadamia nuts — are a large part of the state’s exports.

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Agriculture accounts for generating $2.9 billion to Hawaii’s annual economy, and accounts for 42,000 jobs, reports the state’s Department of Agriculture.

4. Manufacturing is another strong industry in Hawaii and is primarily concentrated on Oahu Island. Products being produced include apparel and cotton-based products that are exported off the island.

Food items are also processed, such as refined sugar and pineapple. Specialty items such as juices, jams, and candies are other exports that are a significant part of the Hawaiian economy, according to Altius Directory.

5. The service industry thrives in Hawaii, including hotels, private healthcare, finance, and real estate.

Community and personal services are the top ranked in Hawaii’s service industry, followed by government services and finance.

Approximately 90 percent of the state’s gross product is derived front the service industry, reports NetState.com.

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