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But a dark side may be looming. Distance learning is stunting education of students and that would cause problems for companies in the future.

Four-year-old Mana Up is now providing a tool in addition to business advice: cash to grow.

Dimensional Energy is one of Elemental Excelerator’s latest companies and is considering developing a renewable fuel facility in Hawaii, its chief executive says.

Rising gasoline and housing prices are driving up living costs for isle families, offsetting wage gains that had appeared to offer a bright spot in a tepid economic recovery.

Events promoters in particular are still chafing under continuing restrictions that have kept their operations limited for more than a year.

Economic experts say many people are worse off than they were before the pandemic and a lower unemployment rate is simply masking deeper problems.

The state had 10,000 fewer retail trade jobs at the end of 2020 than it had in 2019.

The state’s largest private employer has said it will delay plans for a large lay off, even as changes to Hawaii’s travel policy remain in limbo.

But economists say state officials need to do more to help the economy recover, including better messaging and loosening tight travel rules.

Government projects and demand for housing have kept the construction industry going during the pandemic. Honolulu’s new planning department director hopes to give it an even bigger boost.