Military and Community Relations Office Releases New Factbook Detailing the Military’s Economic Impact in Hawai‘i

News release from MACRO, January 14, 2026

HONOLULU — The State of Hawai‘i Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO) today released the Military in Hawai‘i Economic Impact Factbook, a comprehensive, community-focused resource outlining the military’s role in Hawai‘i’s economy, workforce, and everyday life.

This is MACRO’s first statewide Factbook dedicated to presenting defense economic data in a clear, accessible format for the public.

Designed for residents, policymakers, and business leaders, the Factbook includes easy-to-read charts and explanations covering personnel spending, contracting, federal assistance, community programs, and the broader economic effects of defense activity across all islands.

Factbook Key Highlights

• $10.2 billion in total defense spending flowed into Hawai‘i in 2023, ranking the state 21st nationally.
• $6.2 billion* in personnel spending statewide, including $5.6 billion in Honolulu County alone.
• The military supports 73,072 total personnel in Hawai‘i, including 43,118 active-duty service members.
• Small businesses received $1.3 billion in U.S. Department of Defense contracts, including:
  • $190 million to woman-owned businesses
  • $199 million to veteran-owned businesses
  • $233 million to Native Hawaiian Organization-owned firms
• Direct defense activity accounts for an estimated 9% of Hawai‘i’s GDP, with $17.4 billion* in statewide economic contributions when direct, indirect, and induced effects are included. 
• An estimated 17% of all jobs in Hawai‘i are tied, directly or indirectly, to defense spending.

A Tool for Public Understanding

The Factbook arrives as the state and federal government continue dialogue around military land use, modernization, economic diversification, and the well-being of both civilian and military families across the islands.

“This Factbook is meant to support informed, community-centered conversation,” said Laurel Moore, executive director of MACRO. “It provides a clear, factual foundation for Hawai‘i’s communities, leaders, and partners to understand what the military means for our economy and for the people who live here. Beyond the spending figures are tens of thousands of service members, veterans, civilian workers, educators, small-business owners, and families whose lives are interwoven with Hawai‘i’s story. This resource helps illuminate that broader picture.”

The Factbook also highlights how defense spending supports essential programs beyond direct economic contributions, including public school impact aid, environmental and cultural stewardship programs, and small-business growth initiatives. These community benefits, visible across installations statewide, help sustain local services and opportunities for both civilian and military families.

“This is one of the most consequential planning periods in decades,” Moore added. “Shared facts help us build trust. They strengthen relationships. And they help ensure that community voices play a meaningful role as Hawai‘i navigates important decisions, modernization needs, and long-term economic diversification.”

MACRO’s Military in Hawai‘i Economic Impact Factbook is available online at MACRO.Hawaii.gov. Printed copies will be distributed to partner organizations, community groups, and elected officials statewide.

View factbook

*These data points were updated on January 15, 2026 to reflect corrected information.

About MACRO

Established in 2024, the Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO), housed within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), works to strengthen communication, transparency, and collaboration between the State of Hawai‘i, military partners, and Hawai‘i’s communities. MACRO supports data-driven policy development, community engagement initiatives, and statewide coordination on issues related to military presence, economic impact, and shared stewardship of Hawai‘i’s lands and resources.

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