#economic recovery

Nearly a year and a half after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, new survey results from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) highlight persistent housing unaffordability, elevated poverty and unemployment rates, and ongoing economic hardship among fire-impacted households on Maui. Launched in August 2024, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the Maui Recovery Survey: Housing and Jobs is designed to […]

The Maui wildfires continue to have pronounced impacts on the economic indicators for all counties, but especially Maui County, according to new information compiled by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. The information was part of the department’s second quarter 2024 Statistical and Economic Report.

With the Lahaina fire — that has led to the closure of about 600 businesses, according to the Hawai’i Small Business Development Center, and forced many others to change course — the Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival has become a lifeline for some businesses and a symbol of economic recovery for Maui.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present new challenges for the State, the Hawaiʻi State Senate is focused on addressing these concerns and more in the upcoming legislative session.

Maui Economic Development Board presents a free online webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 10, exploring the funding opportunities still available to small businesses in Maui County navigating their pathway to recovery.

“We look forward to our economic recovery and the return of visitors is one more step in our progress towards a new normal,” said County of Maui Managing Director, Sandy Baz.

Gov. David Ige participated in the National Governors’ Association’s virtual Winter Meeting this week, to discuss efforts to end the COVID-19 public health crisis and debate ways to ensure a strong and equitable economic recovery.

In January, the Council on Revenues increased its revenue projections by $2 billion over seven years, but the state will still have a significant revenue shortfall, according to the governor.

Underscoring the state’s continued economic recovery, the First Hawaiian Bank Business Activity Report (BAR) showed an 8.9% increase in fourth quarter “same store sales” over the comparable period of 2011.

Last week the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) published the “Business Tax Index 2011: Best to Worst State Tax Systems for Entrepreneurship and Small Business” and Hawaii ranked 43rd out of 51, including the District of Columbia.

Reporting a 10.17 percent increase over last year, First Hawaiian Bank’s strength is signaling a recovery in the making.

A Mayoral Business and Economic forum takes place tonight (Friday, October 1, 2010)—featuring incumbent Mayor Charmaine Tavares and former Mayor Alan Arakawa.  The live televised event runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is sponsored by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, the Maui Contractor’s Association, and the Realtors Association […]

(Posted by Wendy Osher) The state’s visitor industry is showing signs of economic recovery.  Visitor arrivals in August increased 11.8 percent and spending increased 30 percent compared to last year.  That translates to an additional $250 million in visitor spending for Hawaii’s successful summer travel season. The positive performance is being attributed in part to […]

By Wendy Osher The third place finisher in the primary race for Mayor has announced his support for one of the candidates advancing to the general election in November.  Retired electrical contractor Randy Piltz, who was among the 11 primary candidates in the crowded race for mayor, is now backing Alan Arakawa saying his beliefs […]

By Wendy Osher The leading democratic candidates in the gubernatorial election squared off on Maui in a town hall meeting held tonight at the Iao Theatre in Wailuku.  Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann spent an hour answering questions posed by the audience on issues including Civil Unions, Energy Independence, the Economy, Native Hawaiian Issues, the […]

By Wendy Osher Maui’s economic picture is marked by an impressive tourism industry rebound, according to First Hawaiian Bank economic advisor and Hawaii Pacific University professor Dr. Leroy Laney, who was the featured speaker at the 36th Annual First Hawaiian Bank Economic Outlook Forum, held at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului on Thursday. [flashvideo […]

Charmaine Tavares, 2010 candidate for Maui Mayor, Transcript: Introduction: Aloha, I’m Charmaine Tavares and I’m seeking re-election to the office of Mayor for the county of Maui.  I’ve spent the past three and a half years being your mayor since 2007.  We’ve had some really tough times and I plan to continue working on economic recovery for […]

Visitor industry officials say they see signs of a healthy summer travel season.  The state’s Visitor count is on the rise with Maui, Kauai and the Big Island benefitting from a 7.3 percent increase in visitors from the U.S. West.  More than half of those visitors spent their entire stay on the neighbor islands in […]

Governor Linda Lingle today submitted to the State Legislature a list of 39 bills that she is considering for potential vetoes, including the controversial Civil Union Bill (HB444). Reasons given for potential vetos include significant negative impacts on the public, legal or constitutional concerns, potential unintended consequences, and technical flaws in the legislation. Any bill […]

Hawai’i’s economic recovery has begun according to the latest economic    forecast released by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. The Spring report says employment is stabilizing, with many sectors expected to add modest numbers of jobs as the year progresses. While growth is resuming, the pace of recovery—according to the report—will be slow.  […]