The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) and Chambers of Commerce throughout Hawaii are partnering on a survey to study the business impact of COVID-19.  This is the second such survey the Chambers have worked on with UHERO.

The Chambers and UHERO urge every business, whether a member of the Chambers or not,  to take the follow-up survey, whether or not they took part in the initial survey.  The Chambers involved include Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.  Sherry Menor-McNamara, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii said the results will help the Chambers advocate for further assistance for local businesses.

Businesses can click here to take the survey, which measures changes in employment and employee wages, monthly revenue and revenue sources, current state of operations and plan for trans-Pacific tourism opening, impact of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and business outlook.

“Much has changed since our last survey,” UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham said. “The PPP program was expanded and modified, the Kama’aina economy has re-opened, and tourism is expected to begin a gradual re-opening next month. This survey will provide invaluable information about what businesses are experiencing on the ground and how the changing environment is affecting their expectations.”

This Chamber-UHERO survey follows up on an initial survey conducted in April, which found that one in four Hawaii businesses anticipate closing even after receiving PPP loans.

Photo is Ali’i Drive, downtown Kailua Village, on April 7, 2020