Hawai‘i State Economics Challenge
The HCEE hosts the Hawai’i State Economics Challenge each year for high school students. The Challenge applies the excitement of competitionNeighbor Island teachers have the opportunity to hold a preliminary first round of the Challenge online. All high school teachers and students throughout the State are able to participate. There are no registration fees and no team limits.
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The HCEE hosts the Hawai’i State Economics Challenge every year for high school students. The Challenge is part of the National Economics Challenge and is the premier economics competition in Hawai‘i—running continuously since 2001. The Challenge tests students' knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and current events. All high school students in an economics course throughout the State are able to participate—with neighbor island schools able to compete online. There are no registration fees or participation limits.
The high school competition is open to both AP and non-AP economics classes, which compete in different divisions. Each team consists of 3–4 students and a teacher-coach. After three written exams, the top two teams in each division face off in a Final Round modeled on Jeopardy!
🏆 Winners of each division become the Hawai‘i State Champions and move on to the National Semifinals. Teachers may enter as many teams as they wish in both divisions.
📘 Divisions:
Adam Smith Division – AP, IB, honors students, and returning competitors
David Ricardo Division – First-time competitors who’ve taken no more than one economics course
Hawai‘i has won the National Economics Challenge for the Adam Smith Division in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013; and for the David Ricardo Division in 2007.
Hawai‘i State Economics Challenge
Date
First Wednesday in April
Time
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location
Sunset Ballroom at Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu
Hawai‘i State Economics Challenge
Participation is completely free, and we provide a guided tour of Aloha Tower Marketplace plus a complimentary lunch at Sam Choy’s Pier 9 Restaurant (because, as we like to say, no lunch is free—except this one!). We can also reimburse on-island transportation costs to the event.
Additional benefits include:
A strong credential for student résumés and college applications
Increased student engagement, learning, and teamwork practice
Prizes for top performing teams and fun gifts for all participants
EVENT SCHEDULE
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:30 am
9:45 am
10:15 am
10:30 am
11:15am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
Check in
Round 1 - Microeconomics
Break
Round 2 - Macroeconomics
Break
Round 3 - Current events
Break
Lunch
Finalist Rounds
Awards & Prizes Presentations + Photos
HPU Sunset Ballroom - coffee, tea and other beverages available.
Individual exam: 20 minutes, 15 multiple choice questions
Entertainment
Individual exam: 20 minutes, 15 multiple choice questions
Entertainment
Team exam: 20 minutes, 15 multiple choice questions
Students: ATM campus tour
Judges: Tabulate scores.
Sam Choy’s Pier 9 at Aloha Tower
HPU Sunset Ballroom - finalists announced
HPU Sunset Ballroom
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Student Comments
COMMENTS FROM ANDREA CHEUNG
MARYKNOLL CLASS OF 2003
COMMENTS FROM CHAD YAMAMOTO
MARYKNOLL CLASS OF 2002
I enjoyed Economics Challenge for several reasons. One, it was a fun way of learning the material that was necessary for the AP econ test, as we had to apply the principles that we learned in the classroom to something other than what was simply on the exam. In that way, it was quite refreshing. The problems given were challenging, and forced me to think beyond the standards that I normally had to in class. I had to think about the concepts in newer ways, which of course enforced my learning and benefited me for the actual AP exam.
It was also fun working with my team - collaboration - because I learned lots of material from them that I didn't quite digest from the textbook. It helps that I had lots of smart people in my team who had strengths where I had weaknesses. In addition, it helped that the questions were multiple choice questions - which are crucial to the AP exam. It's also good because I got to work towards another goal, besides just the AP exam. Interschool competition is always a good motivator to do well... it's the same type of rush that happens when we are in a math meet or a karate tournament: you want to do well and in the process of practicing, you have fun...
So why compete? For the challenge, the team learning, and to augment and apply knowledge. What would they [students] get out of it? Interesting economics problems, a chance to show off their econ skills, team learning, the thrills of competition, and - ultimately - an edge in the AP exam.
Interscholastic competitions bring out a new spirit in students. The Hawaii Economics Challenge is no different than a math or science competition. It provides a motivation factor in students to do better in their economics class. The Challenge motivated my class to do better, to prove to the Hawaii economics community of our abilities in economics and of the amazing abilities of our teacher…
My class was blessed to have an educator who was willing to go above the norm to educate his class, which coupled with the motivation brought upon by the competition taught our class far more than we might have in class. It allowed our teacher to increase the rigorous level of our course without complaints from the class. In addition, our class came in on weekends and during free time to learn more.
This motivation grew into an appreciation for the field of economics. As we worked and studied, the class soon began to fall in love with what we were studying and embraced all that it had to offer. As a result of our class, many are now planning or are pursuing degrees in economics and in business economics.
Outside of economics, the competition brought our class together. My economics class that participated changed acquaintances into long-lasting friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime…
The Economics Challenge… motivates students to learn more, to appreciate economics, and to build long lasting friendships. Every school in Hawaii with an economics program should become a part of this growing competition and recognize its positive benefits.