Maui Business

The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission is holding evidentiary hearings from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 on Young Brothers’ proposals to reset customer rates and establish a new mechanism for annual rate adjustments based on inflation. The proposal is aimed at achieving financial stability.

Maui Economic Opportunity earned The Founders’ Award from the advisory, audit and accounting firm SAX. The first place finish came with a $20,000 gift, according to the announcement, made on Thursday.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is encouraging Hawai‘i small businesses to take part in the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey, now open through Nov. 14.

Alaska Air Group is making leadership changes following the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen, who is leaving the role after nearly 15 years with the company.

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.

Kōkua Realty has appointed Stephanie Poree, R(S), CMCA, AMS, PCAM, as director of property management, overseeing more than 2 million square feet of assets across Hawaiʻi.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners for the 2025 Mayor’s Small Business Awards. Among the winners was Dr. Cory Lehano, Owner of Mauliola Pharmacy, who was selected as the Young Small Business Person of the Year.

The Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival returns Nov. 7–8 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Maui community.

A new travel program is giving small and mid-sized businesses with at least $5,000 in annual travel expenses special benefits and rewards.

Holomua 2025, Maui’s premier business festival centered on recovery, resilience, and renewal, presented by the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, announces the return of its culminating event, the Ko‘i Awards Gala, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Grand Wailea Resort’s Haleakalā Ballroom.

To mark the milestone, the brand will hold an all-day community event this Saturday, Sept. 27 at its Queen Kaʻahumanu Center location.

Mālama Yo Mama, a community organization that focuses on uplifting women, hosted its Empower Her Expo this past weekend.

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.

Melanie Dwyer, CEO of Hospice Maui, was honored with the Mayor’s Small Business Award for Outstanding Nonprofit, recognizing the organization’s excellence in compassionate care, workforce leadership, and community service across Maui County.

ARDA-Hawaiʻi recently announced the winners of its 2025 Timeshare with Aloha Awards, recognizing timeshare industry professionals statewide for their professionalism, expertise, and embodiment of the aloha spirit. More than 60 nominations were received across 11 award categories.

Central Pacific Bank is pleased to announce that Emmaly Calibraro, has joined the bank as its new Vice President, Director of Enterprise Customer Experience. In this role, Emmaly will lead efforts to enhance customer satisfaction, strengthen loyalty, and support CPB’s ongoing commitment to innovation, service excellence, and community connection.

Fourteen individuals have been selected for Cohort X of the Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum’s Omidyar Fellows program, a leadership initiative that stresses connection to ʻāina and people, and helps its participants lead with purpose, mobilize communities and amplify positive change across Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Farm Project has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Kiana Smith as its director of sales and marketing. In her new role, the Upcountry resident will manage the comprehensive sales and marketing efforts for the Hawai‘i Farm Project and its locally rooted brands, including Maui Gold Pineapple, Maui Pineapple Tour, Maui Pineapple Store, Maui […]

The popular two-day Financial Literacy for Teens workshop, covering topics such as budgeting, saving and credit, will be held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6 and 7, during fall break at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.

The Maui Nonprofit Directors Association will host its annual meeting and leadership awards event on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului. This event brings together local nonprofit leaders, community members, and supporters to celebrate the impactful work of Maui’s nonprofit sector.