What is OER?
The Office of Economic Revitalization (OER), also known as Ke Keʻena Hoʻomohala Waiwai in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, is the City and County of Honolulu’s newest office, organized during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide leadership for Oʻahu’s economic revitalization efforts.
We understand that the economy is made of people, not numbers. We provide information and opportunities for job seekers, small business owners, farmers, innovators, community-based organizations, and anyone else who is doing their part to improve the quality of life on Oʻahu.
Together, we are creating an economy that is more diverse, more equitable, and filled with good jobs that care for our people and our place.
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Good Jobs Oriented
We are 100% focused on good jobs. All OER activities are aimed at establishing good jobs that will move us toward a more promising, emerging economy. The early steps in this new direction mark the most significant, sustained, intentional move away from an over-reliance on tourism.
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OER's Definition of Good Jobs:
A good job:
• Enhance quality of life.
• Supports a healthy family and community.
• Adapts to the changes in the world.
•Brings financial security.
• Adds to our community and environment more than it subtracts.
Preserving, creating, and getting people into good jobs requires a collective effort that mobilizes government resources, employers, and the creativity of our people.
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What We Do
With the ultimate goal of creating good jobs, our efforts are guided by our three-part strategy:
• First, preserve good jobs through business relief funds and other support as well as employee skill building opportunities.
• Second, create good jobs through technical assistance for businesses, nonprofits, and farmers; fund programs for entrepreneurs; and invest in key economic sectors.
• And third, support training for people and connect them to employers through paid internships, apprenticeships and job placement services.