WSJ Tech News Briefing · Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Hawaii's plan to build a tech economy faces significant challenges, including the high cost of importing necessary parts and a notable pay gap compared to mainland salaries. Officials are working to create manufacturing spaces and foster collaborative environments to encourage startups, but attracting and retaining talent remains difficult due to the disparity between high living costs and non-competitive wages.
“It's also a state that's very close to the equator, so there are some officials who think that state can build up a bigger aerospace industry, in particular by launching rockets into orbit, because when you're close to the equator, it's easier to do that.”
“It's certainly going to be an uphill battle, especially given how expensive it is to build companies to begin with in Hawaii.”
“So you have to take a pay cut to stay. You don't take a cost of living cut. It's a very, very expensive state that doesn't have competitive salaries.”