Maui Business

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs today announced three finalists for the position of Administrator/Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in the search for the organization’s next executive leader. The three finalists are Todd Apo, Kaulana Park and Summer Sylva.

The County of Maui Department of Finance Accounts Division was recently recognized for excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Newly released data highlights potential for a deeper Hawaiʻi-Japan economic partnership. The 2026 Hawai‘i–Japan Economic Report is the first comprehensive analysis of its kind since 1998.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is encouraging Hawai‘i small businesses to take part in the Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey, now open through Nov. 13.

Island Grocery Depot is holding a month-long 40th anniversary celebration in October at its Kahului and Lahaina stores, the company announced.

Alaska Airlines will begin flying three daily Boeing 737 flights between Honolulu and Kahului on Saturday, and Hawaiian Airlines is asking all Neighbor Island travelers to check in and drop bags at least 50 minutes before departure, up from 30 minutes.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has released the 2025 edition of the State of Hawai‘i Data Book, marking the 58th edition of its long-standing series.

Applications are now open for coastal, remote and island communities to join the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project as a 2026 cohort to seek solutions for reliable and resilient energy systems in Hawaiʻi and Pacific Island communities. The application deadline is Nov. 18, 2026.

Young Brothers, Hawaiʻi’s interisland freight company, today announced the promotion of Ashlee Kishimoto to chief financial officer. Kishimoto will lead the company’s financial strategy and oversee its financial planning, forecasting and reporting.

From Aug. 14 to 16, 2026, Hurricane Lala passed south of the Hawaiian Island and caused extensive flooding, landslides, property and infrastructure damage and power outages across the state. Visitors who arrived by air service to Hawai‘i during this period were affected by delays and cancellations of interisland and transpacific flights. A week later (Aug. 22 – 24, 2026) Tropical Storm Moke brought heavy rain and wind to parts of Hawai‘i island and East Maui.

The Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association announced the appointment of Trini Kaopuiki Clark as vice president of strategic communications and marketing, effective Nov. 2.

The Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) recognized 51 Hawai‘i businesses and events Wednesday night for their commitment to energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention and community involvement, as well as cultural and natural resource preservation.

The Hawaii Employers Council has released a new Disaster Preparedness Toolkit to help Hawaiʻi employers protect their people and keep operations running before, during, and after severe weather.  The September 2026 toolkit is intended for Human Resources professionals and business leaders facing natural disasters and severe weather that affect employees and the workplace. It arrives […]

Hawai‘i’s economy has slowed this year under the weight of higher war-driven oil prices and an unusually active storm season, including two hurricanes within three weeks, according to the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization’s third-quarter forecast for 2026.

Due to Tropical Storm Nolo, Bank of Hawai‘i will temporarily close all branch operations on Hawai‘i Island and Maui County today, Friday, Sept. 25.

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) and Maui County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) convened education, industry, workforce, government and community leaders on Friday, Sept. 18 for Project Pilina, a countywide workforce initiative designed to turn shared challenges into coordinated action and greater opportunity for Maui County residents.

Jeff Gilbreath, chief executive officer of Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL), was honored by Pacific Business News (PBN) as one of “Hawai‘i’s Most Admired Leaders” of 2026. Gilbreath and 17 other honorees were celebrated at a gala event on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Halekulani Hotel on Waikīkī Beach.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced the elected 2026-2027 Board of Directors during their annual meeting on Sept. 10, 2026 at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Every year, members vote on candidates nominated by MHLA property and allied businesses to form the governing board that directs the voice of the visitor industry.

The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Maui in August was 2.9%, up from the 2.8% rate in July, and the 2.4% rate at the same time last year, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Hawai‘i Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company Inc., also known as HEMIC, will return $5 million to qualifying policyholders this year, the 20th consecutive annual dividend declared by the board of the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, according to an announcement.