The Economic Development Council of the 9th Island Chamber of Commerce is composed of seven NHPI local community leaders and allied members with expertise in economic development, finance, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Members collectively select their chairperson, who leads the Council in prioritizing actionable strategies to strengthen NHPI economic self-determination, entrepreneurship, and community wealth.
The Council identifies systemic barriers to NHPI economic participation, including access to capital, underrepresentation in procurement, market entry challenges, and gaps in technical business knowledge. Its members develop solutions-driven initiatives designed to generate measurable results, leveraging data, lived experience, and cultural knowledge to ensure policies and programs are impactful.

We work to create opportunities for small businesses, promote supplier diversity, support market expansion, and advocate for economic policies that benefit underserved sectors. By collaborating with members, policymakers, and partners, the Council drives prosperity turning challenges into pathways for innovation, job creation, and long-term stability.