Developers, investors, state and county leaders and community organizations, among others, are invited to a deep dive into the state’s newly updated Opportunity Zones 2.0 program.
The Opportunity Zones 2.0 Market Activation Summit convenes June 1 at University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and John A. Burns School of Medicine on Oʻahu, with an online attendance option also available.
More than 200 practitioners — including developers, investors, state and county agencies, financial institutions and nonprofit organizations — are booked for a full-day program.
Attendees will gain insights into:
- Federal and state priorities.
- Investment strategies.
- Project structuring.
- Deal viability.
- How upcoming census tract designations can unlock impactful development throughout the islands.
“Opportunity Zones are a tool that we can use to benefit our most important initiatives — housing for our people, our transition to clean energy and critical economic development projects,” said Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green in an announcement about the upcoming summit. “I encourage developers, investors, state and county leaders and community organizations to come together and learn about this important opportunity to support our state’s greatest needs.”
The summit will feature national experts walking attendees through case studies to demonstrate project financing models that can successfully leverage Opportunity Zones investment.
Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the in-person presence of these planned speakers to seek guidance about upcoming projects.
Featured national experts include:
- Brady Meixell, Urban Institute.
- Brent Parker, Novogradac.
- Catherine Lyons, Economic Innovation Group.
- Florian Schalliol, Arctaris Impact Investors.
- Marc Schultz, Snell & Wilmer.
- Robert Jamieson, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region IX.
“[U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] is pleased to partner with the state of Hawaiʻi as it starts its Opportunity Zone 2.0 Market Activation,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region IX Administrator Will Spencer in the summit announcement.
Spencer added that Opportunity Zones work best when federal, state and local stakeholders coordinate to drive investment into distressed communities.
“With the affordable housing crisis, Opportunity Zones are a great platform and a great vehicle for us to build affordable housing and new operating businesses, which will be a blessing to Hawaiʻi,” Spencer said.
Invited special guests include:
- Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green.
- Mayors from each of Hawai‘i’s four counties.
- Members of the state’s congressional delegation.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development leadership.
- Hawaiʻi state legislators.
The summit is an initiative backed by a partnership between Green’s office, Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaiʻi Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i.
“This summit is designed to accelerate Hawai‘i’s readiness for the next chapter of Opportunity Zones and ensure that upcoming investments drive economic resilience and benefit Hawai‘i’s residents and communities,” said Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka in the summit announcement.
Agenda highlights
- Opening remarks from state and federal leaders.
- Expert briefings about Opportunity Zones 2.0 policy changes, investment patterns and lessons from Opportunity Zones 1.0.
- Case studies about successful project types and deal structures.
- Capital panel featuring national and Hawai‘i-focused investors.
- Technical workshops about building an Opportunity Zones capital stack, integrating tax credits and structuring qualified opportunity funds.
Businesses and community partners interested in attending the summit can register now online. Additional information, including more about the online attendance option, also can be found at the above website.
