Economic Development

Supporting North Shore business to promote economic development is a core function of the Chamber since businesses are the life blood of any community. They provide employment for our youth and financial support for our many charitable organizations, which in turn supports our community.

Is the Voice of North Shore Business

The Chamber is an easily identifiable contact for the media for issues affecting the North Shore. Members look to the Chamber to play a major role in advocating on behalf of the businesses and the broader North Shore community, effectively influencing decision-making processes that impact the community. To this end, a stronger membership means stronger representation to our elected officials and government agencies.

  • Addressed the economic impact of the 2016 Eddie surfing competition on KHON.
  • Elected Officials and the Honolulu Police Department are invited to update the business community at the Chamber’s regular Membership Meetings where members can express concerns and ask questions of them.
  • The NSCOC is a member of the main Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i which tracks bills affecting business. Important emails regarding pending legislation are forwarded to the members so that they may submit testimony. (Note: Since the North Shore Chamber is a charitable, 501 c 3 non-profit, it is limited in the lobbying that it can do and therefore acts as a conduit for legislative information.)
  • The Chamber is a representative voice for business in special planning efforts such as the Laniakea Beach Task Force, the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan, North Shore Wastewater Alternatives, North Shore Watershed Management Plan, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO), and many others.
  • The Chamber helps build a united voice to effectively advocate for critical issues of concern to the community such as the Laniakea Beach Stakeholders’ Group to build consensus regarding a Laniakea traffic solution.
  • Acted as a liaison between the Department of Transportation and community during the Waimea Rock Fall event. The DOT asked that its press releases be forwarded to the Chamber’s email database during that situation to disseminate timely updates and progress on the situation.

Provides Educational Programs for Business

The Chamber sponsors and supports educational programs and provides resources that strengthen North Shore businesses.

  • Hosts speakers on timely topics at the Membership Meetings. Examples are: presentations on upcoming projects such as the Kamehameha Schools North Shore Plan and Store Lots project, Haleiwa Town Master Plan, Hawaii Tourism Authority on outlook of tourism, speakers on biotech and sustainable agriculture, the rail project, and more.
  • Hosted five North Shore Business Expos from 2008 to 2013 with various themes and speakers from a variety of disciplines. The speakers ranged from Employment Law and Patents & Trademark Law to Haleiwa History and Bee Keeping.
  • Sponsors or co-sponsors Candidate Forums for members to get to know candidates. This allows them to make informed voting choices.

Provides Opportunities for Networking

Membership Meeting 3-3-16The Chamber provides opportunities for members to network and communicate with each other, other regional businesses, the community, and school and government officials.

  • Business After Hours are events held two to three times a year for a couple of hours in the evening after work at various businesses or at the Chamber. Past Business After Hours events have been hosted at YMCA Camp Erdman, Alluvion, Dole Plantation, Breakers’, Proud Peacock, Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Plant, Twin Bridge Farms, the Chamber, and other locations.
  • Membership Meetings provide an opportunity for all elements of the community to meet, network, share information, and work toward solutions.

Promotes Members through Visitor Center’s Information and Referral Program

In 2015, 2,600 referrals were made to member businesses and attractions. This is almost four times more than the prior year due to having a three-quarter time administrative assistant and more volunteers with expanded hours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visitors come to the North Shore not knowing where to go or what to do. These referrals directly help the member businesses.

  • The Chamber’s website provides information that helps drive business to our members and sponsors.
  • The Chamber, in partnership with Green Turtle Publications, publishes the North Shore Map twice a year with a distribution of 140,000 maps throughout Oahu. The map helps drive business to the advertisers and helps visitors decide what to do and find their way. It is very popular with the Waikiki hotel concierges. See rates and distribution.
  • Provides Business Services to the general public and also to members at a discount. See Visitor & Business Service Center.

Develops Public/Private Partnerships

The Chamber develops and maintains alliances and partnerships with elected officials, government agencies, community groups, City officials, the Neighborhood Board, police, and key agencies in order to address issues facing our community.

  • Through Council Chair Martin’s office, received funds to landscape and beautify the triangle north of Weed Circle, now known as Ka Iwa Garden. Previously, partnered with the North Shore Outdoor Circle, the City and State to landscape and beautify Weed Circle.
  • Worked with the NS Neighborhood Board to raise funds for the Police ATV’s which needed a trailer to transport them to the North Shore as well as other areas.
  • Worked with the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources and others to restore the Waialua Courthouse.

Initiates Research Projects and Plans

The Chamber initiates projects and plans that provide information to help strengthen members’ businesses and relationships as well as address issues facing the community. See Chamber Special Reports & Plans.

Sponsors Special Events

The Haleiwa Town Christmas Parade is a popular event that brings thousands to Haleiwa in addition to the many residents that participate in the parade. This is an annual favorite of everyone and helps promote the main commercial district of the North Shore.

North Shore Sunset on the Beach was held for several years starting in June of 2002 in response to 9/11.  It was modeled after an event sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu and Haleiwa Main Street (now the North Shore Chamber of Commerce) to help Haleiwa businesses after the rockslide at Waimea Bay closed Kamehameha Highway for six months. Similar to the Sunset on the Beach events in Waikiki, the North Shore version continued to be a popular event through 2006 and acted as a business incubator. Several businesses on Main Street were launched through the Sunset on the Beach events (Luibuenos, The Soap Cellar, Scoop of Paradise, etc.).