With people flocking to Hawaii to work remotely, a local builder known for affordable green homes is creating a co-living space in an Ala Moana penthouse.

Economic experts say many people are worse off than they were before the pandemic and a lower unemployment rate is simply masking deeper problems.

The state had 10,000 fewer retail trade jobs at the end of 2020 than it had in 2019.

The state’s largest private employer has said it will delay plans for a large lay off, even as changes to Hawaii’s travel policy remain in limbo.

But economists say state officials need to do more to help the economy recover, including better messaging and loosening tight travel rules.

Government projects and demand for housing have kept the construction industry going during the pandemic. Honolulu’s new planning department director hopes to give it an even bigger boost.

The governor’s economic development leaders say they want to carefully craft a plan that will hold up for the long term. But legislative leaders aren’t convinced.

Pushing back against Gov. David Ige’s threatened furloughs, government worker unions showed they still have ample political influence despite a 2018 Supreme Court decision some said would weaken the organizations.

Amid pandemic, state and local government leaders do not defer to the state’s major industry.