#Maui economy

Applications opened Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Fiscal Year 2027 grant program, which supports projects and events that generate meaningful economic impact, strengthen local industries and enhance the overall well-being of Maui County residents. Deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. April 30, 2026.

Hawaiʻi’s economy is moving beyond last year’s mild recession, but the recovery will be gradual, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s first quarter forecast for 2026 released on Feb. 27. Maui is the standout, as ongoing recovery from the disastrous 2023 wildfires will continue to propel rising tourism activity, if at a slower pace than last year.

A new report shows Hawaiʻi’s wages and productivity have lagged the rest of the country for more than three decades, placing the state among the most economically distressed in the U.S.

Watching the majestic humpback whales has become a tradition woven into the tourism economy of Maui Nui ever since they started coming back from near extinction in the 1970s due to successful conservation efforts.

Economists say Maui’s tourism industry is “outperforming” other islands as visitors continue to return after the 2023 wildfires, a trend that could help cushion the island from an overall weakening economy.

UHERO forecasts a mild recession in the islands over the next year, with the weakening US economy threatening a potentially deeper downturn. The Maui condo market has seen a large plunge in activity, with the value of resales down nearly 50% compared with mid-2023. This reflects in part uncertainty over Bill 9.

Mayor Richard Bissen appointed Jade P. Rojas-Letisi as the Director of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, which is tasked with strengthening kama‘āina industries, supporting small businesses and advancing economic diversification across Maui Nui.

Op-Ed: Lahaina Strong’s De Andre Makakoa shares his thoughts on the rising trend of pop-up markets in Hawaiʻi saying they provide a positive shift for the local economy.

Despite decreased arrivals to Maui, Maui County hotels reported improvement in July 2025 with island-wide occupancy improved 6.2 percentage points to 66.7% from 60.5% in July 2024. The Lahaina/Kā‘anapali/Kapalua region had occupancy of 66.2%, up from 57.9% in July 2024.

The island of Maui recently experienced its slowest tourism month of the year, with 195,784 visitors flying to the island in May, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Maui County’s unemployment rate for February was 3.4%, the same as last month but down from 5.4% in February 2024.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has announced the release of $6.3 million restricted funds from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism budget for a marketing effort to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

The devastating wildfires that swept through Maui in 2023 have reduced the island’s population by more than 1,000 residents, driven by increased out-migration and declining in-migration, according to a new blog entry published by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization.

More than 350 supporters gathered at the Wailea Beach Resort–Marriott, Maui, on Saturday, Oct. 26 for Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction. Proceeds from the event will directly support MEDB’s STEM programs, which provide students here at home with learning opportunities spanning from kindergarten to college and beyond, shaping future generations of innovators and leaders.

Earlier this summer, UHERO published its analysis of Maui’s legislation to regulate Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) properties, stating, “If the policy is enacted in full, it would increase Maui’s long-term residential housing stock by 13%, representing a dramatic increase in housing supply,” said UHERO’s economists. “Reductions in tourism or property tax revenues would also present serious challenges to Maui County… Understanding the broad impacts of this policy will be key to understanding future economic conditions on Maui.”

A new report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization identifies potential opportunities to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy by analyzing a variety of industries across counties in the US and the state.

In May 2024, Maui County continued to have the largest supply of available vacation rental (TVR) units in the state, but occupancy rates for them were below half, at 49.5%, according to a report by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s Hawaiʻi (DBEDT).

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.

“The impact of the Maui wildfires continues to be felt in November’s figures, but with most of West Maui now reopened to tourism, there is a concerted effort to reinvigorate job opportunities and facilitate the economic recovery of Maui,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors has approved an immediate six-month action plan for 2024 to help address major challenges confronting residents, small businesses, visitor industry providers, Maui’s economy, and families seeking housing following the August wildfires.