Media

In the press

Coverage that quotes me directly, grouped by the story that prompted it and most recent first.

Writing of my own is on the commentary page.

Interview on housing, economic development and the economic outlook

  1. The Sunshine Interview: UHERO economists drill down on housing policy Honolulu Civil Beat May 17, 2026

UHERO 2026 Q2 forecast press conference

  1. Maui fire survivors to see settlement money, but 'not better off,' economist says Maui Now May 15, 2026

Interview on cost of living and productivity

  1. Makana Eyre: What do we want Hawaiʻi to be like in 20 years? Honolulu Civil Beat April 15, 2026

UHERO Insights on the drivers of migration

  1. Are people leaving Hawaiʻi because of high prices, or low incomes? Hawaiʻi Free Press March 20, 2026
  2. 'Priced out, left behind': UHERO reveals persistent population loss KHON2 News March 19, 2026
  3. Low pay, not just high prices, behind Hawaiʻi's persistent population loss University of Hawaiʻi News March 19, 2026 also in Maui Now
  4. High costs and low pay drive Hawaiʻi population decline National Today March 19, 2026

UHERO Insights on the lost decade

  1. The lost decade never ended in Hawaiʻi Hawaiʻi Free Press March 20, 2026
  2. Hawaiʻi's tourism rebound looks brighter, UHERO warns the 'lost generation' risk is still growing El-Balad March 8, 2026
  3. UHERO analysis reveals Hawaiʻi economic stagnation affects generations Infonasional March 8, 2026
  4. Hawaiʻi's uneven tourism rebound leaves households exposed to long-term stagnation Filmogaz March 8, 2026
  5. UHERO: Hawaiʻi's 'lost decade' has become a 'lost generation' University of Hawaiʻi News March 6, 2026

Interview on the Aloha Stadium redevelopment

  1. Aloha Stadium's $4 billion gamble Hawaii Business Magazine March 10, 2026

UHERO report on price-adjusted economic performance

  1. As visitors to Hawaiʻi decline, risks abound SFGate March 7, 2026
  2. Pipikaula Corner: Economic diagnosis déjà vu Aloha State Daily February 6, 2026
  3. What's behind the report that labels Hawaiʻi among the worst economies in the country MSN February 5, 2026
  4. Hawaiʻi's cost of living is high. But there's another huge problem Honolulu Civil Beat February 3, 2026 also in AP News, MSN, US News & World Report, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, MyMotherLode.com, WV News, Miles City Star, Moulton Advertiser, Batesville Guard, Local 3 News, San Mateo Daily Journal, headtopics.com
  5. Morning Edition, All Things Considered and The Conversation Hawaiʻi Public Radio February 3, 2026
  6. High costs, weak growth driving Hawaiʻi residents away, report says Hawaii News Now February 2, 2026
  7. Priced out of paradise, trying to make ends meet in Hawaiʻi KITV News February 2, 2026
  8. Hawaiʻi's economy ranks near the bottom of U.S. states, driving residents to leave, UHERO report says Pacific Business News February 2, 2026
  9. UHERO: Adjusted for local prices, Hawaiʻi's economy among worst in nation Maui Now February 2, 2026
  10. UHERO report: Hawaiʻi's economy one of the nation's weakest Aloha State Daily February 2, 2026 also in Bytes Europe
  11. Hawaiʻi's economy among worst in nation after income is adjusted for local prices, new report states Kauaʻi Now February 2, 2026 also in Bytes Europe
  12. Hawaiʻi economy worst in nation when adjusted for local prices, study finds Big Island Video News February 2, 2026
  13. Hawaiʻi's economy labeled as worst in the country AsAmNews February 2, 2026 also in url-media.com
  14. UHERO: Hawaiʻi's price-adjusted economy ranks among the nation's weakest Prism News February 2, 2026
  15. Paradise paycheck shock as Hawaiʻi sinks toward distressed-economy ranks Hoodline February 2, 2026
  16. New UHERO report finds Hawaiʻi's economy has 'lagged behind the rest of the U.S. for years' KHON2 News February 1, 2026 also in Yahoo! Finance, MSN
  17. Adjusted for local prices, Hawaiʻi's economy among worst in nation, UHERO finds University of Hawaiʻi News February 1, 2026 also in Big Island Now
  18. UH report: Limited income growth slows Hawaiʻi economy Star Advertiser February 1, 2026 also in The Garden Island

UHERO 2026 Q1 forecast

  1. High-spending visitors help drive economic gains Star Advertiser February 27, 2026
  2. Hawaiʻi gradually moving beyond recession, UHERO report says Big Island Video News February 27, 2026
  3. Hawaiʻi moves beyond recession amid modest growth, according to UHERO Hawaii News Now February 27, 2026
  4. Hawaiʻi economy outlook brightens as tourism spending rises, despite fewer visitors Pacific Business News February 27, 2026
  5. Increased visitor spending buoys recent UHERO economic outlook Hawaiʻi Public Radio February 27, 2026
  6. UHERO report: Hawaiʻi to recover from recession this year Aloha State Daily February 27, 2026

UHERO Insights on being left behind

  1. Report: Hawaiʻi's economy falls behind with stagnant incomes, productivity Hawaii News Now February 19, 2026
  2. Hawaiʻi's economy resembles 'left-behind' regions in UHERO analysis University of Hawaiʻi News February 19, 2026
  3. Insights: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind? Big Island Now February 19, 2026 also in Kauaʻi Now, Hawaiʻi Free Press

Interview on the Maui economy after the wildfires

  1. Revisiting a changed Maui, nearly 3 years after a firestorm New York Times February 2, 2026

UHERO Insights on AI and the value of higher education

  1. AI is changing how we work, not the value of a college education University of Hawaiʻi News January 22, 2026

Interview on the outlook for 2026

  1. Buckle up for more bumps and uncertainty Hawaii Business January 2026
  2. Spotlight reports: Tracking Hawaiʻi's most important sectors Hawaii Business January 2026

UHERO forecast presentation to Kauaʻi County

  1. Economic slowdown forecast for Kauaʻi in 2026 Hawaiʻi Public Radio January 1, 2026

UHERO 2025 Q4 forecast press conference

  1. After strong start, Maui's tourism recovery flattens as 2025 comes to a close Maui Now December 12, 2025

UHERO 2025 Q3 forecast press conference

  1. New UHERO report forecasts recession for Hawaiʻi's economy The Maui News September 27, 2025
  2. UHERO: Hawaiʻi faces mild recession with falling tourism, rising inflation Big Island Video News September 26, 2025
  3. UHERO report: Slowing tourism, tariff-fueled inflation push Hawaiʻi closer to recession Hawaii News Now September 26, 2025
  4. Possible recession, federal cuts could have outsize effect on low-income households Hawaii News Now September 26, 2025
  5. UHERO: 'Hawaiʻi could face a loss of $400 million in Medicaid spending' Aloha State Daily September 26, 2025
  6. Hawaiʻi faces mild recession as tourism falls, inflation rises in new UHERO forecast Hawaiʻi Free Press September 26, 2025

UHERO 2025 Q2 forecast press conference

  1. Mild recession in the forecast for Hawaiʻi Travel Weekly May 27, 2025
  2. Mild recession forecast for Hawaiʻi economy Star Advertiser May 9, 2025 also in Hawaii Tribune-Herald, The Garden Island
  3. Economic forecast sees mild recession for Hawaiʻi, UHERO reports KITV May 9, 2025
  4. UHERO forecasts mild recession for Hawaiʻi as federal policies impact tourism The Business Journals May 9, 2025
  5. Economists say federal policies pushing Hawaiʻi into recession, leaving college graduates in limbo Hawaii News Now May 9, 2025 also in MSN
  6. UHERO: Federal policy shifts will trigger 'mild' recession in Hawaiʻi Spectrum News May 9, 2025
  7. UHERO forecasts federal policies will push Hawaiʻi into recession Kauaʻi Now May 9, 2025
  8. UHERO: Hawaiʻi economic outlook takes 'decisive turn for the worse' Big Island Video News May 9, 2025

UHERO report on phasing out vacation rentals in Maui apartment districts

  1. Is Maui's reversal on vacation rental ban too little too late? Beat of Hawaii April 1, 2025
  2. Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy Associated Press March 31, 2025 also in NBC News

Interview on the state of the economy

  1. UH economists talk about Trump's impact on Hawaiʻi Honolulu Civil Beat March 24, 2025

UHERO report on opportunities to diversify the economy

  1. Naka Nathaniel: Hilo, of all places, seems poised for growth Honolulu Civil Beat July 10, 2024
  2. UHERO report: Commercial fishing shows strong potential to diversify Maui's economy Maui Now July 5, 2024
  3. 'Niche' industries could help diversify Hawaiʻi's economy, study finds Star Advertiser July 3, 2024 also in Yahoo! News, Hawaii Tribune-Herald
  4. Business Report: UHERO report on tourism economy Hawaii News Now July 3, 2024
  5. Hawaiʻi urged to diversify economy beyond tourism amid COVID concerns KITV Island News July 3, 2024
  6. UH researchers list opportunities to diversify Hawaiʻi's economy KITV Island News July 3, 2024
  7. There are more ways to diversify Hawaiʻi Island economy compared to all counties in the state, UHERO report reveals Big Island Now July 3, 2024
  8. Where can Hawaiʻi diversify its economy? UHERO finds areas Hawaiʻi Free Press July 3, 2024
  9. Kauaʻi is most limited in diversifying its economy compared to all counties in the state, UHERO report reveals Kauaʻi Now July 3, 2024
  10. UHERO report highlights ocean-based industries to diversify the economy Hawaiʻi Public Radio July 3, 2024
  11. Where can Hawaiʻi diversify its economy? UHERO finds areas University of Hawaiʻi News July 2, 2024
  12. UHERO report looks for ways to expand Hawaiʻi's economy beyond tourism Hawaii News Now July 2, 2024

Interview on the economic impacts of the UH Space Technology Center

  1. Space tech economic impact in Hawaiʻi could be out of this world KITV Island News January 8, 2024

Interview on diversifying the economy

  1. Hawaiʻi economists to lawmakers: Diversify beyond tourism Honolulu Civil Beat January 2, 2024
  2. After more than a year, Hawaiʻi economy slow to diversify Honolulu Star Advertiser April 13, 2021 also in Yahoo! News
  3. The Conversation: Isolated economy presents challenges, opportunities for diversification Hawaiʻi Public Radio April 12, 2021
  4. The Conversation: Managing Hawaiʻi's airports throughout the pandemic Hawaiʻi Public Radio April 12, 2021
  5. UHERO's Steven Bond-Smith: Diversification is driven by relationships 'to the visitor industry' Big Island Times April 2021
  6. News at 6 KITV Island News April 9, 2021

Interview on agriculture, wildfire risk and ecosystem services

  1. Fire risk prevention lies in turning open grasslands into farms, UHERO report says KITV Island News October 23, 2023

Interview on the recovery from the Maui wildfires

  1. Maui has an impossible choice to make about its future Slate August 17, 2023

Quoted on diversifying the economy

  1. Diversifying Hawaiʻi's economy post-pandemic, UHERO expert provides solutions University of Hawaiʻi News July 14, 2023
  2. New UHERO report discusses balancing Hawaiʻi's tourism dependence, diversifying economy The Business Journals, Pacific Business News April 9, 2021

Interview on the economic forecast for Maui

  1. Tourism, construction still Hawaiʻi's recession buffers The Maui News May 18, 2023

Quoted on climate change, tourism and the economic forecast

  1. Tourists are solidly back in Hawaiʻi. And that's keeping the economy rolling along Honolulu Civil Beat May 12, 2023

Quoted on UH's role supporting education and innovation

  1. How UH prepares students for 21st century careers UH Foundation February 23, 2023

Quoted on the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program

  1. Maui's emerging leaders participate in civic-thon challenge Maui Economic Development Board February 2, 2023
  2. Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Focus Maui Nui March 9, 2022
  3. Young leaders brainstorm solutions for Maui Nui in 'Civic-thon Challenge' Maui Now January 28, 2022

Quoted on Maui's specialization in tourism and the economic forecast

  1. As the year ends, pause in economic growth expected The Maui News December 29, 2022

Quoted on Oʻahu's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

  1. Group wants ideas on diversifying Oʻahu's economy Honolulu Civil Beat July 19, 2022

Interview on inflation and visitors to Hawaiʻi

  1. 'We couldn't get leis': How your Hawaiʻi vacation is getting more expensive, from hotels to restaurants SFGATE July 12, 2022
  2. Where are the Japanese visitors? Travel Weekly July 11, 2022

Interview on inflation

  1. 5 things Hawaiʻi: Health-related vetoes, inflation, Medicaid dental benefits State of Reform July 7, 2022
  2. A deeper look behind inflation and its impact on Hawaiʻi social determinants of health State of Reform July 5, 2022

Interview on inflation and Federal Reserve interest rate increases

  1. Hawaiʻi residents feeling the inflation squeeze KHON2 News June 15, 2022

Interview on tourism recovery in Hawaiʻi

  1. High domestic demand for travel masks holes left by international visitors The Invisible Hand May 23, 2022

Quoted on the economic outlook

  1. Hawaiʻi's economic forecast for second quarter is stronger but there's a risk of recession KITV4 News May 12, 2022

Interview on the economic impact of astronomy

  1. Tech View: Astronomy worth $221M to Hawaiʻi's economy annually Honolulu Star Advertiser May 3, 2022

Quoted on the economic impact of astronomy

  1. UHERO: Astronomy's impact to Hawaiʻi's economy even greater when 'spillover' effects measured The Business Journals, Pacific Business News April 25, 2022
  2. UHERO: Astronomy impact on Hawaiʻi even greater with 'spillover' effects University of Hawaiʻi News April 24, 2022 also in Hawaiʻi Free Press, Publicnow.com

Interview on diversifying the economy of Maui

  1. Maui needs to do 'something extraordinary' to diversify its economy. But what? Honolulu Civil Beat March 21, 2022

Interview on the BCEC report on diversifying the WA economy

  1. Western Australia needs to diversify to overcome effects of mining bust: Report DownToEarth.org.in September 28, 2021
  2. Moving beyond mining Environmental News Network September 24, 2021
  3. Moving beyond mining Business at Curtin September 23, 2021

Interview on the quarterly economic update, mining and diversification

  1. Rural Report ABC Pilbara Radio June 11, 2021
  2. Rural Report ABC Goldfields WA Radio June 10, 2021

Interview on consumer confidence

  1. A stunning turnaround The West Australian April 17, 2021
  2. Big-bank economists say confidence nears record high The West Australian April 16, 2021
  3. Confidence back to boom times The West Australian April 15, 2021
  4. Consumer confidence surges to 11-year high The West Australian April 14, 2021

Quoted on proposed Australian tertiary education funding reforms

  1. Students cop $21,000 fine for protesting university fee hikes Yahoo! Finance Australia September 24, 2020
  2. Australia: 'Society and Culture' courses could cost US$5,482 more from 2021 studyinternational.com September 4, 2020
  3. The Briefing: How the 'job-ready' fee changes will impact universities reeling from COVID-19 The Mandarin September 4, 2020
  4. Courses at Australian universities could cost up to US$5,482 more from 2021 studyinternational.com August 4, 2020
  5. New government model 'shaves' $900 million from university funding The New Daily August 3, 2020
  6. Government accused of stripping $900m from universities Yahoo! Finance Australia July 24, 2020

Interview on elimination versus suppression strategies for coronavirus

  1. Bad dose of mixed tactics The West Australian July 18, 2020
  2. Mark McGowan's hard border at odds with Scott Morrison's plan to get national economy off life support The West Australian July 18, 2020

Interview on economic prospects for WA as restrictions lift

  1. Businesses remain cautious in event of early WA exit The West Australian April 23, 2020
  2. WA to lead way out The West Australian April 23, 2020

Interview on submarine maintenance and diversifying the WA economy

  1. 6pm bulletin Seven News September 27, 2019

Quoted on the BCEC report on diversifying the WA economy

  1. Peel is 'an economic force' Mandurah Mail September 5, 2019
  2. WA's economic growth relies on specialised diversification The Fifth Estate September 2, 2019
  3. Experts spy more than 163,000 new jobs for WA, and where to find them Sydney Morning Herald August 30, 2019 also in Brisbane Times, The Age
  4. New report identifies 163,000 new jobs for WA workers nationaltribune.com.au August 30, 2019 also in miragenews.com, news.curtin.edu.au

Interview on population growth in cities and regions

  1. 6PR Mornings 6PR Radio April 4, 2017

Interview on regional population growth in Western Australia

  1. More live in Big Smoke The West Australian April 4, 2017