Maui Business

The inter island freight company, Young Brothers, LLC, has announced a leadership transition. Jeremiah “Jay” Ana is stepping down as President after leading the company since 2020 and will assume an advisory role through the end of the year to support a seamless transition. Frank Almaraz has been appointed Interim President.

American Savings Bank has named John Jacobi as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. John will oversee ASB’s technology teams and lead strategic initiatives, continuing ASB’s commitment to providing its customers with best-in-class service. John most recently served as CIO for Hawaiian Airlines.

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.

Two months from now, more than 45,000 Hawai‘i residents living in public housing communities across the state will be able to access reliable, high-speed fiber internet service for their homes, thanks to a new public-private partnership between the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and Hawaiian Telcom. This milestone is the result of a $6 million in-kind contribution to the community from Hawaiian Telcom. 

Maui Health Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Melinda Sweany has announced the addition of Leana Taylor, MA, ATC, CPT, as Director of Philanthropy. This new position was created to expand outreach efforts in support of Maui’s healthcare system, with Taylor focusing on building donor relationships, major gift and planned giving.

State board OK’d limited temporary rate hike of 18.1%, effective from July 1 through Dec. 31, based on an assessment of the minimum amount necessary to allow the company to continue providing essential interisland shipping services while commissioners complete a review of the firm’s pending general rate increase request of 25%.

Stargazer Industries Hawaiʻi recently received the state’s approval to distribute mulch made from invasive eucalyptus trees, aiming to reduce the risk of transporting invasive pests found in Mainland soil products and to establish a new sustainable industry.

Gas prices have seen a modest uptick in most cities across the state over the past week, reflecting seasonal demand and market fluctuations, according to the latest AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch.

Hoʻoikaika Partnership has been selected as the next beneficiary of the ʻOhana Fuels “Fuel up. Do good.” program. From July through September 2025, a portion of every gallon of gasoline purchased at ʻOhana Fuels stations across Maui will be donated to support Hoʻoikaika Partnership’s work to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment throughout Maui County.

The 31st annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival returns to the Hawai‘i Convention Center in less than two months.

Maui Food Bank has named Chris Yuh its Chief Financial Officer, where he is responsible for oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting and financial analysis.

Maui County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to hover around 3% during the month of May, according to data released by the Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Monday.

La Casita, a retail boutique offering one-of-a-kind items has officially opened in Waikapū at the Maui Tropical Plantation.

Maui County Federal Credit Union is teaming up once again with The Salvation Army for its annual Adopt a Backpack program to help local keiki head back to school with confidence and the supplies they need to succeed.

The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau has appointed Brent Lausterer as director of sales for the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. His appointment was effective June 4. Lausterer will lead group and leisure sales efforts across Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry, Lausterer has a […]

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement announced the acquisition of Nā Mea Hawaiʻi, a cultural retail institution that has served Hawai‘i for more than two decades. Nā Mea Hawaiʻi will be integrated into a larger suite of economic and entrepreneurial initiatives, including: KūHana Business Accelerator; and The Mākeke.

Maui United Way announces the launch of its Kahua Grant Initiative, a new program designed to provide capacity-building support to emerging and grassroots nonprofits across Maui County. The program aims to equip participating organizations with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to build a strong foundation for long-term sustainability and deeper community impact. 

The County of Maui Office of the Mayor will hold a free, in-person grant writing workshop on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kahului Service Center, Room 105, 110 ‘Ala‘ihi St., Kahului.

The fourth Core Four Business Planning Course series of the year, presented by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, starts July 1. It runs twice weekly through July 31.  Classes are in-person only at MEO’s Wailuku classroom, 99 Mahalani St., behind the J. Walter Cameron Center. The Core Four Business Planning classes focus on why and […]

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development will deliver job opportunities through direct recruitment on Maui. The Maui State Office Building in Wailuku will host a special recruitment event on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.