The Economic Revitalization Commission, or Komikina Hoʻomohala Waiwai in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, is a nine-member volunteer body with experience in small business, finance, sustainable economics, and community development.
The Commission's responsibilities are to prepare and regularly update a strategic plan that will include recommended strategies for the City to encourage equitable and sustainable economic advancement, the development of new businesses and industries, and reinvestment.
Please see the following resolution establishing OER for further details: Honolulu City Council Resolution 20-197, FD 1.
Commission Meetings
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND TESTIMONY: Public testimony may be accepted in writing or in person at 711 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1200, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813.
ORAL TESTIMONY: You do not need to submit written testimony in advance to testify in person at the meeting. The Office of Economic Revitalization will accept oral testimony on each agenda item as that item is discussed. Register with the staff at the Office of Economic Revitalization (711 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1200, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813) by 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Written testimony may be submitted to the Office of Economic Revitalization at least three (3) working days prior to the date of the meeting via U.S. mail to the Office of Economic Revitalization (711 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1200, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813), or email to OER@honolulu.gov.
NEXT MEETING
November 19, 2024
All meetings will be held at OER offices, 711 Kapi’olani Blvd., 12th floor, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2023 Commission Report
This document is the first annual report to the Honolulu City Council from the City and County of Honolulu’s Economic Revitalization Commission.
The Commission works side-by-side with OER to create an economy for Oʻahu that is more diverse, more equitable, and provides good jobs for our community.
Meet the Commission
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Olin Lagon, Chair
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- 5 YEAR TERM
• Olin Lagon, keiki o ka ʻāina, is a serial social entrepreneur, innovator, and community organizer.
• He founded multiple companies and nonprofits in Hawaiʻi and abroad.
• Olin holds many patents and his designs have been adopted by Global 1000 companies across five different industries such as Disney and MIT’s Media Lab.
• His community service includes founding Purple Maiʻa, serving in the U.S. Navy and the Peace Corps, and working with numerous nonprofits.
• In addition, Olin created the technology backbone of the City’s Rental and Utility Relief program through his company, ASIO.
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Eliza Talbot, Vice Chair
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS- 2 YEAR TERM
•Eliza is Vice President for Business Advocacy & Community Relations with the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce.
•She has served as the lead for public involvement for the Hitachi Rail Honolulu Joint Venture, Director of Government Relations and Development for the Ko Olina Resort, as well as chief of staff and senior advisor to a former Honolulu City Councilmember.
• Eliza was a member of the Pacific Business News “Who and What to Watch in 2022” and the publication’s “40 Under 40” for 2021.
• She earned a law degree and Master of Public Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi as well as a Bachelor of Arts from USC.
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Deborah Lui-Anderson
SMALL BUSINESS- 3 YEAR TERM
• Deb has led many small businesses in Honolulu, most recently as a partner and project manager at C&C Farmlands LLC.
• She also founded Morning Brew Coffee House & Bistro, Bogart’s Cafe Diamond Head, and Lanikai Juice Company.
• Deb earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado and holds a professional certification from the UCLA Interior Design Program.
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Melialani James
SMALL BUSINESS- 5 YEAR TERM
• Meli has been a leader at a number of startups in Hawai‘i and California and is Co-Founder of Mana Up.
• She is also president of the Hawaiʻi Venture Capital Association, serves on the board of UHA Health Insurance and Maui Divers, as well as board of regents for Chaminade University.
• Meli is an advisor to the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, and is the Pillsbury Institute Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell University.
• She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
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Bobby John (‘Olu) Campbell
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- 2 YEAR TERM
•An entrepreneur, attorney, musician, waterman, and community advocate, ʻOlu Campbell is the President and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Land Trust and was previously Community & Government Relations Manager at Kamehameha Schools.
• He is also co-owner of a retail business, Kaleimamo Hawaiʻi, focusing on baby and family products.
• ʻOlu just concluded service on the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Forest Stewardship Committee.
• He earned a law degree from the University of Hawaiʻi.
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Gregory Kim
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS- 4 YEAR TERM
• Greg’s career as an attorney focuses on corporate law, securities and mergers and acquisitions, with an emphasis on startups and small businesses.
• He founded the law firm Vantage Counsel, HiBEAM and co-founded the nonprofit Business Law Corps.
• Greg is also a Director at HTDC and lectures or provides business counseling at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Richardson School of Law and the University’s PACE entrepreneurship program, and Chaminade University’s Hogan School of Business.
• He is a candidate for a doctorate of ministry from the Pacific School of Religion and graduated from UC Berkeley law school and holds an undergraduate degree from Yale College.
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Reid Chung
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS- 3 YEAR TERM
• Reid Chung is a Vice President at HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union.
• He has extensive experience in finance and leadership, having been an executive at the Bank of Hawaiʻi, Central Pacific Bank, American Savings Bank, and Morgan Stanley.
• Reid currently serves on the boards of the Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, The Salvation Army Kroc Center Advisory Council, as well as being treasurer of the ʻAiea Community Association.
• He earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Hawai‘i as well as a Masters in Education.
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Anthony Mizuno
FINANCE- 1 YEAR TERM
• Tony is a Senior Vice President at American Savings Bank.
• He has a career in commercial lending, having served in executive roles at the Bank of Hawai‘i and The Certified Group in Honolulu.
• Tony has served on the boards of the Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation, Child & Family Service, the Gift Foundation of Hawai‘i, the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, the Ponoholo Ranch, and the commercial real estate advocacy group NAIOP.
• He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego.
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Keoni Lee
FINANCE- 4 YEAR TERM
• Entrepreneur Keoni Lee leads Hawaiʻi Investment Ready as CEO and is a Co-Founder of Ka Wai Wai Collective and Oiwi TV.
• He is a former Omidyar Fellow and was named one of 20 for the Next 20 by Hawaii Business Magazine.
• Keoni holds an MBA from the University of Hawaiʻi’s Shidler College of Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Oregon State University.