Socio-Economic, Socio-Cultural Analysis / Forecasts
JMK Associates has prepared literally dozens of socio-economic and/or socio-cultural impact assessments of specific projects for Environmental Impact Statements and other permit entitlement documents – including extensive expert-witness testimony to State and county planning decision makers. We have also assisted State and county governments with assessments and forecasts at regional or statewide levels, to assist in more general policy development.
Selected Major Examples
2006 Social Impace of Kona Kai Ola (proposed mixed-use visitor and resident commercial expansion of mariana at Honokohau Harbor in West Hawai`i). Prepared for Jacoby Development, Inc.
2002-2004 Socio-Cultural & Public Input Component, Sustainable Tourism Study . Prepared for Hawai`i State Dept. of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism. This highly visible and complex project included:
• Detailed analyses of changing tourism trends;
• Public input/output – via website and repeated public meetings, all islands, over 2 years;
• Impacts on Native Hawaiians – Coordinating the Native Hawaiian Advisory Group in analyzing impacts on the indigenous population and recommending actions.
• Impacts on the General Population – Historical analysis of socio-cultural issues in Hawai`i, plus statistical analysis of selected issues (e.g., tourism and crime; tourism and housing);
• Statewide resident survey on attitudes toward tourism, growth.
• Specific policy proposals developed in conjunction with ongoing Study Group and broader policy proposals addressing creation of a Sustainable Tourism System in Hawai`i.
2002 Socio-Economic Impact of “Critical Habitat” Designation. Prepared for Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. Analysis of economic and social results of proposed federal restrictions on development of future Hawai`i Island business development site.
1998 Diamond Head State Monument Master Plan – Socio-Economic Impact and Revenue Analysis . For PBR Hawai`i, Inc. and Hawai`i State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources. Examined both impacts and economic feasibility of a contemplated major educational facility inside Honolulu's most famous landmark.
1980s-1995 Computer Models of Labor Supply - Demand and Growth Impacts of Resort or Other Forms of Economic Development. As part of numerous socio-economic impact projects in this period, we utilized age-cohort analyses, labor multipliers, and other coefficients to estimate in-migration, housing needs, and fiscal impacts. These were applied in their fullest forms in Maui County, where they became the base for the Maui Planning Department's forecasting system and where they were also used to satisfy court-mandated growth impact assessments for the Kahului Airport runway extension.
1990- 1995 Lana`i Resort Socio-Economic Impact Assessment . Several inter-related studies prepared for Castle & Cooke Properties. Maui County Council, and the State Land Use Commission. Assessment of upscale resort recreational project, including original research on similar projects from Caribbean islands to Colorado. Extensive testimony before LUC. Preparation of time-series analysis of various socio-economic indicators tracing the effects of islandwide transition from agricultural to tourism base.
1992 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of New U.S. Navy Activities in Guam . Prepared for Belt Collins & Associates and for U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Assessment of relocating a United States Navy base from the Philippines (Subic Bay) to Guam.
Overview of Experience and History
Statewide, Regional, or Community-Level Projects
- Statewide socio-cultural impact assessment of tourism development on Native Hawaiians and the general population of Hawai`i (2002-04).
- Kahului Airport Runway Extension, Market and Islandwide Socio-Economic “Growth Impacts” (1992-93; 1994-95)
- Social, economic, and fiscal impact of new Naval construction and activities resulting from Philippine (Subic) Rollback to Guam (1992-93).
- Socio-economic projections to 2010 for Maui Community Plan Update (1992-93); additional research and projections in support of Maui Community Plan Citizen Advisory Committee deliberations (1993).
- Socio-economic impact of La`ie Master Plan (1991).
Individual Resort or Tourist Attraction Projects
• Kona: Honokohau Harbor marina expansion and mixed-used community (2006)
• Dole Plantation expansion – impact monitoring (2005, annual repetitions thereafter)
• Diamond Head Master Plan revision – impacts, market research, revenue analysis (1998)
• Lana`i: Ko`ele Social Impacts (1992)
• Moloka`i: Alpha USA (1991-93)
• Hamakua/Waipi`o Lodges, Golf, and Resort Residential (1991)
• Lana`i: Manele Bay Golf/Resort Residential (1990)
• North Kohala: Chalon Mahukona (1990)
• Fort DeRussy, Hale Koa Hotel Expansion (1989)
• Waikoloa Beach Resort Expansion (1988)
• Princeville (1980, 1983, 1988)
• Makaha Pacific Basin Conference Resort (1987)
• Hawaiian Riviera, Ka`u (1987)
• Mauna Lani Resort/Ritz-Carlton (1986-87)
• Mauna Kea Properties/South Kohala Resort (1986-87)
• Kaua`i Beach Resort (1986-87)
• Mokule`ia (1986-87)
• Punalu`u, Ka`u (1986-87)
• Kuki`o, North Kona (1986)
• Makalawena, North Kona (1986)
• Waikoloa Hyatt (1984-85)
• Kuilima (1984-85)
• Mahukona: Finance Realty, North Kohala (1980)
• Analysis of employee applications – to determine skill levels and demographic patterns of available labor – for Turtle Bay Hilton (1985, 1990) and Kaua`i Hilton (1986).
Residential and/or Recreational Developments
• Major West O`ahu residential development (2006, in progress).
• Military housing privatization project – construction labor supply analysis (2003).
• Manoa Valley District Park expansion (1999).
• Proposed military housing and training expansion at Bellows AFS (1994-95).
• Proposed residential subdivisions in `Ewa (1994-95); Kohala Ranch subdivision, County of Hawai`i (1987); He`eia Kea (1986, with additional assistance in 1987-88 relocation research); Village Park subdivision expansion (1985-86).
• Social, economic, and fiscal impact of proposed Wahiawa community extension of Galbraith Trust Wahiawa lands (1992).
• Proposed residential and golf course developments at Mokule`ia (1992), Pupukea (1991), Ma`ili Kai in Wai`anae (1988, 1993), and West Loch Estates (1987).
• Proposed new "stand-alone" golf courses at Lualualei (1990), Waimalu (1990), Kuilima Resort (1989), Waihe`e, Maui (1989), and Waikane (1988).
• Proposed large-scale planned communities at Lands of Kau, Kona (1990), Kealakehe (1989-90), and Lahaina (1989).
• Proposed affordable housing Pu`ukoli`i, Maui (1992) and City Kailua Elderly Housing (1991).
• Proposed new University of Hawai`i arena complex (1989).
Office/Commercial/Industrial Developments
• Impact of “Critical Habitat Designation” on Kona office and retail development (2002-03).
• Waipahu Post Office relocation impacts on surrounding businesses (1997).
• Waipahu commercial and industrial park proposal (1994).
• Demographic impact of proposed Family Court relocation to Kapolei (1992).
• Kansai Gaidai Hawai`i College expansion (1992).
• Socio-economic impacts of proposed "Regional Center" at Kailua-Kona (1989).
• Power plant siting studies, O`ahu and Maui (1991).
• Economic, social, and land use impacts of Ali`i Place (1989).
• Socio-economic impacts for City and County's proposed "Pacific Nations Building" office/retail/hotel/securities exchange project (1988).
• Social impact portions of EIS for Honolulu Transportation Center and City Hall Annex (1988).
• Socio-demographic and economic impacts for Chinatown Gateway (1988).
• Social profile portions of Environmental Impact Statement for initially-proposed Kahe power plant Unit 7 (1987).
• Social impact portions of PRU application for Dole cannery relocation (1985-86).
• Resource Recovery (H-POWER) EIS social portions for City and County of Honolulu (1983).
Scientific and Technical Projects
• Proposed telescope for Mauna Kea or Haleakala (2006, in progress).
• Coastal Zone performance monitoring reports to NOAA (2005-08).
• Social impacts of 500-MW geothermal development; Environmental Assessment work for Energy Division, Hawai`i State Department of Business and Economic Development (1987-88).
• Socio-economic technical studies and portions of Environmental Impact Statement for Thermal Power Co./Puna Geothermal Venture (1982-86).
• Keahole Point Natural Energy Laboratory and HOST Park social impact (1985).
• Ocean Mining: Socio-cultural impact portions of Environmental Impact Statement (1985-87).
• Ocean Mining: Socio-economic profiles of communities potentially affected by land-based processing operations (1984).
• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Wai`anae Coast proposal, social impacts (1984).
Highway Construction
• Mamalahoa Highway – Kawaihae Connector Road around Waimea (2005-06).
• Kea`au Bypass (1993)