Our Mission
Helping island economies help themselves by adapting the resources of the University of Hawaii to support Pacific Island economic, business, and community development in a manner that is holistic, responsible, and builds local island capacity.
Service Area
The Pacific Business Center Program’s service area is the State of Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, which includes the Territory of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Territory of Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
Center Focus
The Pacific Business Center Program focuses on increasing the region’s resiliency, through projects that (1) create a better life for the communities and populations we serve, (2) link the workforce to education and training, (3) support commercialization opportunities, (4) aid entrepreneurship, and (5) support regenerative economic development leading to not only financial, but also environmental and social benefits. The long-term economic impact is the creation of a more sustainable, resilient, and better future for the region’s people, economies, and island environments.
History
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) received its initial grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) in July 1979, to establish a University Center* for business and economic development serving businesses in the State of Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
In 1986, the Center obtained supplemental funds from EDA for travel, communication, and other direct costs to provide services to the USAPI, with matching funds provided by the island governments.
In the late 1980s, the United States and the trust territories it administered under the auspices of the United Nations, agreed to establish bi-lateral, independently negotiated agreements (Compacts of Free Association) under which the territories became independent nations, while still retaining close economic and political ties with the United States. As a result, these now independent nations of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau can participate in certain domestic federal programs. In April 1988, the Center initiated projects with the Republic of the Marshall Islands and with the four States of Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae, and Pohnpei that constitutes the Federated States of Micronesia. In 1989, the Center began its work in the Republic of Palau, under a special grant from the U.S. Department of Interior, while negotiations were still underway on the Compact agreement between the United States and Palau.
* EDA recognizes that institutions of higher education are critical players in the development of vibrant economic ecosystems. Universities are sources of significant economic development assets that can support regional economic growth. Currently, there are 70 EDA University Centers covering 47 states and territories. The purpose of EDA’s University Center program is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of these institutions to establish and operate University Centers (UCs) focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship.