2025 YP Cost of Living Summit presented by Tradewind Group

​🤝 Let’s Build a More Livable Hawaii Together
The 2025 YP Cost of Living Summit presented by Tradewind Group isn’t just another conference. It’s where ideas become policy, and where Hawaii’s young professionals get equipped to lead right now.
 
🔍 2025 Focus: Blueprint for Affordability
This year’s summit is built around the Chamber’s 2030 Blueprint—a bold roadmap to a more competitive, affordable Hawaii. Through two main sessions, we’ll examine how infrastructure, housing, and civic action intersect with rising costs, and what role you can play in the fight for a livable future.

*Speaker and agenda details are currently being finalized. Please visit the site periodically for the latest update!

Full-Day Agenda
7:45 – 8:15 AM | Registration + Breakfast

8:15 – 9:05 AM | Financial Literacy Workshop presented by American Savings Bank
Choose from hands-on workshops designed to empower your financial future:

• Growing Your Money - Learn about the different ways to invest your money. 
• Buying a Home – Learn what it takes to purchase a home
• Understanding Tax Deductions and Credits - Learn about the most commons types of ways to save on taxes 
• Developing Your Own Business – Learn about various pathways towards becoming and growing as a business owner 

Summit Kick Off:
9:15 – 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks + Morning Keynote
Begin the morning with an energizing to set the tone for the rest of the day.

9:45 – 10:00 AM | 2025 Legislative Recap, Guest Speaker - Tonga Hopoi, VP of Economic Development, Government and Community Relations, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii 
Hear highlights from the most recent legislative session and how key policies may impact Hawaii's cost of living.

10:00 – 10:15 AM | Chamber’s 2030 Blueprint Overview, Guest Speaker - Mike Ching, Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP & Board Chair, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii 
We’ll dive into the Chamber’s vision for reimagining Hawaii’s housing and infrastructure systems to make them more accessible and equitable. 

10:15 – 11:05 AM | Cost of Housing + Infrastructure Panel Discussion
Moderated by Perry Arrasmith, Director of Policy at Housing Hawaii's Future. We’ll dive into the Chamber’s vision for reimagining Hawaii’s housing and infrastructure systems to make them more accessible and equitable. 

Featured speakers include:

• Representative Luke Evslin, House Housing Committee Chair

11:05 – 11:45 AM | Small-Group Breakouts
Join breakout sessions to ask questions, share your story, and brainstorm solutions around housing, transportation, and development.

12:00 - 12:20 PM | Lunch Keynote Address by Seth Colby, Chief State Economist, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
A featured speaker will bring it all together—highlighting actionable ideas that challenge the status quo and inspire momentum.

12:20 - 12:25 PM | Remarks by Speaker Nadine Nakamura

12:25 – 1:15 PM | Legislator Connect
Enjoy lunch with lawmakers shaping policy on cost-of-living issues. This is your chance to speak directly with those at the table.

• Speaker Nadine Nakamura
• Senator Stanley Chang, Senate Housing Committee Chair
• Senator Brandon Elefante, Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee Chair
• Senator Troy Hashimoto, Senate Housing Committee Vice Chair
• Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair
• Representative Mark Hashem, House Water & Land Committee Chair
• Representative Luke Evslin, House Housing Committee Chair
• Representative Greggor Ilagan, House Economic Development & Technology Committee Chair
• Representative Darius Kila, House Transportation Committee Chair
• Representative Chris Todd, House Finance Committee Chair 
• Councilmember Radiant Cordero, Honolulu City Council Infrastructure, Transportation & Technology Committee Chair
• Councilmember Esther Kiaaina, Honolulu City Council Zoning & Planning Committee Chair

Part II: How to Advocate for Change
1:45 - 2:35 PM | Panel Discussion
This afternoon session breaks down the tools, platforms, and strategies you can use to make your voice heard.

Featured speakers include: 

• Jacob Aki, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Alaska Airlines 
• Sarah Guay, President & CEO, Hawaii Employers Council 
• AJ Halagao, President, Hawaii Leadership Forum 
• Nicole Velasco, Business Development Lead, NORESCO 

2:35 – 3:15 PM | Small-Group Breakouts
Explore how advocacy looks for you. Join the group that fits your life experience and discuss what your next step could be.

3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Keynote Address by Mayor Derek Kawakami, Kauai County
Hear from Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami on how Kauai is addressing the cost of living issue and the role of public-private partnerships in shaping a more sustainable future for the next generation. 

4:00 – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks
We’ll end the day by outlining clear actions you can take post-summit—whether it’s joining a policy committee, submitting testimony, or mentoring a peer. 

4:15 – 6:00 PM | Pau Hana 
Cap off your day with a pau hana social, complete with complimentary pupus and a drink ticket for a speciality Koloa Rum cocktail or other beverages. Reflect, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees who are just as committed to shaping Hawaii’s future as you are.

Click here to view last year's recap!

Registration includes:

• Breakfast + financial literacy workshop

• Full access to panels, speakers, and breakout sessions

• Legislative lunch and networking - Choose from the following sandwich options:
  • Chicken Caesar Sandwich - Grilled chicken, Kula romaine, parmesan, seeded crumble on ciabatta bread
  • Grilled Vegetable Pesto (Vegan) - Pesto, sumac, tomato, romaine, alfalfa sprouts, thyme, EVOO, vegan mayo on ciabatta bread
  • Turkey Sandwich - Sliced turkey, roasted eggplant, caramelized onion, fennel compote, Kewpie, romaine, alfalfa sprouts, pickled mustard seed 

• Pau hana drink + pupus

• Access to local leaders, resources, and advocacy tools

Neighbor Island attendees: For those traveling to Oahu to attend, we have a special hotel room rate at the Pagoda Hotel available for you!

• CLICK HERE to book
• 30% off the Best Available Rate
• Waived $35 daily amenity fee tax
• Book Dates: Now through 10/19
• Stay Dates: 10/15-10/19
• Promo Code: YPCOLS2025

For sponsorship information, please contact Aly Wee, Sponsorship Committee Chair, at aly@alywee.com, or click here to see available packages.

This is your Hawaii. Let’s make it work! 🌈