Economist Paul Brewbaker said Hawaii’s economy will worsen this year as inflation pressures continue to build. On “Spotlight Now,” Brewbaker said Hawaii took a major hit during the pandemic — bigger than many other states — and has not fully returned to its pre-pandemic trajectory.

Sherry Menor, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, said running a business is “getting increasingly challenging,” pointing to high costs and ongoing uncertainty that make it difficult for companies to plan ahead.

With health care systems facing staffing shortages, leaders with the Academy for Healthcare Innovation (AHI) say short-term certificate programs can help get local residents into stable, in-demand jobs.