Maui Business

Technical skill rotations were hosted throughout the day exploring topics such as fashion design process, 3D modeling, video pre-production and much more, along with networking sessions and informative panels from professionals in the creative industries. Attendees were provided with an overview of CID’s workforce initiatives, ways to maximize the ClimbHI Bridge portal, and insights into preparing students for successful careers within the creative industries.

“Maui is set for an extended recovery period this decade, while population slowing will reduce future growth to varying degrees across the counties,” according to the UHERO forecast.

After 27 years at the entrance to downtown Wailuku, Mele Ukulele will close its flagship store following the sale of its location near Wailuku bridge to a mainland owner.

Hawaiʻi Specialty Pharmacy (HSP) today announced the opening of two new ambulatory infusion centers on Maui—in Wailuku and Upcountry. Specialty pharmacies and ambulatory infusion centers support patients requiring specialized treatments, including chemotherapy, antibiotic infusions, and more.

The State Legislature closed on May 3 passing several of bills supported by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi to tackle cost of living challenges, support growth in the technology sector, boost entrepreneurship, increase access to childcare and add affordable housing for our workforce.

The next Maui TechOhana networking event, organized by Maui Economic Development Board, and supported by the County of Maui, will be held Thursday, May 9 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The public gathering will feature guest speakers from the Maui Food Innovation Center, a value added food manufacturing incubator and accelerator in Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union announced Monday that it has donated $10,000 to the Hawaiʻi HomeOwnership Center to support its mission to provide education and information to create successful first-time homeowners in Hawaiʻi.

Kahului based Gilbert & Associates (G & A) was once again awarded top honors for excellence in advertising design at the 45th annual Pele Awards ceremony held May 4 on Oʻahu. In addition, G & A became the first neighbor island firm chosen as Lead Designer for all collateral associated with the awards program.

Kaiser Permanente Hawai’i has added four new maternity care providers at the Wailuku Medical Office to ensure expectant families can continue to receive high quality care on-island. The new team members include obstetricians-gynecologists Jennifer Leeper, DO, and James Morong, MD, along with certified nurse-midwives Brooke Raidmae, CNM, and Carolyn Wetzel, CNM. 

Nalu’s South Shore Grill owner, Ron Panzo was honored as the winner of the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2024 Hawaiʻi State Small Business Person of the Year award. This award acknowledges outstanding achievements and contributions of small businesses across Hawaiʻi and the nation.

Nonprofit organization West Maui Improvement Foundation (WMIF) today announced the receipt of another $1,250,000 in funding to purchase a modular fire station for Olowalu. The Benioff Family Foundation donated $1 million and the Arrillaga Family Foundation, as directed by Justine Stamen & John Arrillaga, $250,000.

Since Bank of Hawai‘i’s College Assistance Program began in 2016, 25 employees have now earned degrees from Chaminade University or an associate degree from the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges with more than $2.1 million in educational costs covered.  This year, all four employees—Rita Aponte, Ryan Chang, Cindy Corpuz and KerryLynn Vea—received their bachelor’s degrees in business administration.

Hawaiian Airlines published its annual Corporate Kuleana Report highlighting Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives to fly and grow more sustainably.

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least July 2, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association celebrated its 45th year of giving back to the community with the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday. Nearly 1,600 walkers attended the in-person event at the War Memorial Complex. Walkers finished 2.5 miles of exercise and received complimentary breakfast, treats, giveaway prizes, and local entertainment, including a performance by Tihati Productions. An impressive total of $1,235,482 was raised so far from Maui County. 

Hawai‘i interisland freight company Young Brothers blessed its new $1.5 million ShoreTension mooring system on Monday at the Port of Kaumalapau on Lāna‘i. The system keeps the barge steady against the dock during poor weather conditions.

Internet reliability and worldwide connectivity are expected to be enhanced with a $1 billion project to create a new fiber-optic undersea cable network, according to an announcement from Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, leader of Connect Kākou, Hawaiʻi’s high-speed internet initiative, and Benji Robinson, director of Asia Pacific Network Planning and Acquisition for Google.

The Kaiser Permanente Lahaina Clinic sign was all that was left standing after the Aug. 8 wildfire swept through historic Lahaina town and leveled the Waineʻe Street clinic where doctors and nurses cared for patients’ colds and flu, broken bones and expectant moms since opening its doors in 1969. And, so a 7.5-foot woven lei was a fitting way to connect the past, present and future at Kaiser’s official Hoʻōla (meaning to rejuvenate, to give life and energy, to heal) event Tuesday at the clinic’s new 5,200-square-foot location at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kāʻanapali.

Hawaiian Electric has developed an online tool designed to facilitate the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by showing available capacity on the electric grid at the circuit level.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has launched new targeted campaigns as part of its global marketing and visitor education efforts. The purpose of these initiatives is to reinvigorate responsible travel demand from key markets around the world to the Hawaiian Islands.