Online Tool Promotes Shopping Local, Posts Available Jobs

A free online platform created to help local businesses reach customers and gain support is now adding a community events calendar and page for employers to post job listings.

Hawai‘i Island Visitors Bureau, or HIVB, launched ShopBigIsland.com in 2021 in an effort to support businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As Hawaiʻi County continues its emergence out of the health crisis, Mayor Mitch Roth said Hawaiʻi Island-based institutions will play a critical role in creating a thriving and vibrant Hawaiʻi Island for everyone.

To help spread the word about this community tool, Mayor Mitch Roth joined HIVB and its partner digiVortex in creating a PSA that emphasizes the importance of shopping locally. Watch the PSA above.

With the additional tools on ShopBigIsland.com, HIVB stated businesses and nonprofits can add their own dedicated profile (including contact information, logo, online platforms, social media, and current specials) at no cost to them. The only requirement to sign up is that the business is physically located on Hawai‘i Island.

In addition, businesses can now upload information about events and jobs, all for free. Businesses are not required to create a profile in order to take advantage of the additional tools, though it is encouraged.

“For shoppers on Hawai‘i Island, whether kama‘aina or visitor, ShopBigIsland.com can help them learn more about where to spend their money and about who is offering specials, as well as about local events,” HIVB stated in a press release. “For residents and potential residents, the new job board is a great way to cut through the clutter and find jobs that are local and relevant.”