Article: Big Island economy bouncing back

HILO -- The Big Island had the best payroll growth in the state in the last 18 months due to long-distance flights to Kona and the growth of diversified agriculture, First Hawaiian Bank economist Leroy Laney says.

"In the last year and a half, Hawaii County has come back," Laney said.

Payroll growth last year was 1.7 percent and this year it has reached an annualized rate of 2 percent, he said.

That good news for the Big Island fits into a "somber" picture for the rest of the state, Laney says in his annual report on the Big Island to be presented to the Hilo business community today.

While the national economy continues "robust" expansion, Hawaii is the only state that has not ...

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