• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 37,000 Hawaii jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canadians made more than 307,900 visits to Hawaii, spending $490 million
• Hawaii residents made 37,100 visits to Canada, spending $32 million

A Close Relationship

Two-way merchandise flows between Hawaii and Canada reached $177 million in 2007. The Aloha State exported $27 million worth of merchandise to Canada while purchasing $150 million in goods from its northern counterpart.

Agriculture reigns supreme

Agricultural exports, thanks to Hawaii’s lush volcanic soils and bountiful coastal waters, continue to dominate the state’s exports to Canada at $17 million in 2007. Hawaii, renowned for its fresh fruit exports, also shipped fish and seafood, live animals, coffee, sugars and food preparations. In return, Canada sold agricultural products valued at $16 million, to the island state including wheat, fishery/animal food and feeds, and dairy produce.

By air, land and sea

Within the transportation sector, Hawaii exported $2 million in aircraft parts, not including engines, while Canada exported a total of $25 milion in aircraft engines and parts, automobiles, trucks and other transportation goods.

Paradise of the Pacific

Tourists need not go any further than Hawaii for a tropical escape. The Aloha State is endowed with stunning cliffs, volcanoes, sandy white beaches and Hawaiian culture. Canadians seeking a winter refuge made 307,900 visits to the Aloha State and spent $490 million on surf lessons, hula skirts and Polynesian food. In return, Hawaiians, seeking to escape their island paradise, made 37,100 visits to Canada and spent $32 million.

Canada–Hawaii Success Stories

In December 2007, North West Company of Winnipeg, Manitoba, announced the completion of its acquisition of Cost-U-Less, Inc. (CUL), a Seattle-headquartered retailer with warehouse-type stores in Hawaii, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. Through their ownership of CUL, North West Company now has two large stores in Hawaii, in Kauai and Hilo, employing approximately 100 people.

The Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT) is collaborating with the University of Hawaii to develop fuel cell-powered tour buses and the supporting hydrogen infrastructure for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. They have a proposal under review involving fuel cell modules to power the buses made by Hydrogenics, a Canadian company.

In addition, HCATT has enjoyed a successful technology development and demonstration relationship with Hydrogenics which includes three alternative energy vehicles currently deployed at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu.

June 2008

Tourism

• 307,900 Hawaii visits by Canadians, $490 million spent
• 37,100 Hawaii visits to Canada, $32 million spent

Jobs

• Hawaii jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 37,100

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $27 million
• Imports from Canada: $150 million
• Bilateral trade: $177 million

PDF Format

Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.0749. Merchandise trade is based on total exports and imports for the year 2007. Job numbers are based on 2005 data from a 2006 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy. Canada’s export ranking is from the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). All figures are in U.S. dollars. Figures may not add up due to rounding.