Maui Business

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature has passed House Bill 1642 CD1, marking a significant step forward in protecting local residents from financial fraud schemes that are becoming increasingly tied to cryptocurrency kiosks and digital asset scams.

Preliminary results from this year’s Charity Walk show an impressive total of $1.62 million raised in Maui County to directly benefit more than 74 Maui County nonprofit organizations. This “day-of” total broke last year’s record, however, funding is still being accepted until May 31.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea debuts its Club Floor, an elevated and personal guest experience at the Five-Star, Five-Diamond resort.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, situated on award-winning Kā‘anapali Beach at iconic Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock), welcomes Vickie Chen as its new Director of Group Sales.

March visitor statistics released Thursday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism showed statewide visitor arrivals declined 1.7% in March 2026 compared to March 2025, while visitor spending declined 1.6% to $1.96 billion.

Maui Food Bank today announced the launch of a search for its next Chief Executive Officer. Steve Ulene, who will serve as Maui Food Bank’s incoming Board Chair beginning July 1, 2026, will lead the effort as chair of the organization’s CEO Search Committee. Ulene previously served on the board as Vice Chair and is a longtime community volunteer.

Whalers Village, owned and operated by GGP, announced the opening of its newest retailer, ShirtWorks, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of island inspired clothing, gifts and souvenirs for both residents and visitors.

Hawaiʻi Organics Compost has begun selling locally produced compost, active mulch and custom blends from its Waikapū facility — completing a loop that starts with green waste dropped off across Central Maui and ends with finished soil products ready to go back into the ground.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce is now accepting Product Vendor Applications for the 13th Annual 2026 Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival, taking place Nov. 6 and 7, 2026, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Excitement has been brewing at the Maui Tropical Plantation with the openings of two dynamic stores. Mālama Studio, now situated in its vibrant new location, offers a refreshed and reimagined space for an inspired shopping experience. Stitch by Stitch, Hawaii’s only yarn shop, has joined the community, thanks to Mālama Studio’s move.

In support of families and communities in need across its five-island service areas, Hawaiian Electric employees and the IBEW Local 1260 together raised more than $330,000 for Aloha United Way, Hawaiʻi Island United Way and local food banks during a workplace campaign in 2025.

The Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mufi Hannemann, will be retiring from his role following years of dedicated service to the organization and Hawai‘i’s visitor industry.

An online information workshop will be held Thursday,  May 14, 2026, for potential applicants for the County of Maui’s new Small Grants Program, which opened today, May 1, to offer community-level funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups for projects and activities serving Maui County.

JAH volunteers delivered Personal Finance lessons to 25 boarding students at Lahainaluna High School in April as part of an ongoing effort to expand access to financial literacy education statewide.

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Being Empowered and Strong Together offers a pre-employment training program for recently incarcerated individuals that includes financial support for credentialing and certifications in trade jobs.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Kīhei, Kailua-Kona and Waialua to assist businesses, private nonprofit organizations and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring March 10 – 24.

The Hawai‘i REALTORS Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of Hawai‘i REALTORS, will distribute $200,000 in grants to Hawai‘i residents impacted by the Kona Low storms in March. 

Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson will be retiring from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism effective April 30, 2026, concluding 25 years of service managing the Hawai‘i Film Office and the state’s film program.

Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the islands.

Akakū Maui Community Media will host itʻs May Maui Business Tuesdays event with the theme “Maui Food Trucks.” The salon will be held Tuesday May 5, 2026 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Akakū Center in Suite 204 and hybrid via Zoom.