Maui Business

A new leader is taking the controls at Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Air Group announced Wednesday that Diana Birkett Rakow, a senior vice president of public affairs at Alaska Airlines, will become chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines on Oct. 29. She will succeed Joe Sprague, who is retiring after a long career in aviation.

Applications are open for a new workforce development initiative designed to train Hawaiʻi’s next generation of aviation maintenance technicians.

Available through Nov. 14, this exclusive offer starts at $349 per night and includes waived resort fees and complimentary parking for Hawai‘i residents.

Hawaiian Electric is focused on approving applications for residential rooftop solar and battery storage systems as quickly as possible as customers rush to finish installations before the early expiration of the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit.

Hundreds of supporters gathered at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, for Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction. Proceeds from the event will go towards MEDB’s STEM programs, providing opportunities for students from kindergarten to careers to build the skills, confidence, and creativity needed to succeed in Hawaiʻi’s future economy.

Central Pacific Bank (CPB) launches the return of its debit card promotion—where participants have the chance to win a brand new 2025 Toyota 4-Runner, valued at approximately $43,400, along with more than $11,000 in prizes.

UH Maui College’s Maui Food Innovation Center and the YWCA Maui Women’s Business Center will host the Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Maui Nui on Friday, Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a networking session from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pilina Building, 2nd Floor Event Center.

Alaska Airlines is taking its global reach further than ever with nonstop service to Reykjavík, Iceland, inviting travelers to book their next adventure at alaskaair.com. With flights starting May 28, 2026, guests can book today to discover Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes, with daily summer flights from Alaska Airlines’ global gateway in Seattle, all while enjoying an elevated travel experience “thoughtfully upgraded from curb to cabin,” according to an announcement.

Habitat for Humanity-Maui is proud to announce a partnership with Apogee Travel, a hotel booking website that rewards travelers while supporting the causes they care about.

Rising tariffs and heightened policy uncertainty are expected to add to one-off inflationary pressures by late 2025 and into 2026, with the Honolulu Consumer Price Index projected to increase during this period. These conditions are expected to weigh on economic activity, keeping growth subdued through 2026.

Hawaiian Telcom is introducing a new advertising and marketing campaign that demonstrates how its fiber-optic infrastructure is opening the door to a brighter, more digitally-connected world with more possibilities for Hawai‘i residents.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced that David Uchiyama will serve as its new chief administrative officer, bringing decades of leadership experience in Hawai‘i’s tourism, airline, transportation and energy industries.

Imua Onipāʻa celebrated a milestone as it welcomed its first in-person workforce development cohort at the Kahului YMCA, bringing together participants from Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.

Fuel deliveries beginning this month at Kansai International Airport will mark the first time Hawaiian Airlines has introduced sustainable aviation fuel – which can lower life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.

The Pacific Century Fellows Program announced the selection of its 19th class of Fellows, comprised of 36 outstanding and talented men and women.

Central Pacific Bank announced the newest participants of the WE by Rising Tide program. Now in its fifth year, this successful initiative selects 19 women entrepreneurs from across Hawaiʻi, providing them with the knowledge and tools to scale their businesses to new levels of success.

These businesses continue to shine through their outstanding service, innovation, team building, job creation, and commitment to the community. This award honors those who truly go above and beyond, exemplifying the Aloha Spirit and the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of Maui.

Despite decreased arrivals to Maui, Maui County hotels reported improvement in July 2025 with island-wide occupancy improved 6.2 percentage points to 66.7% from 60.5% in July 2024. The Lahaina/Kā‘anapali/Kapalua region had occupancy of 66.2%, up from 57.9% in July 2024.

The first event, a “Talk Story & Mixer” at Palm Bar & Bites, will be held Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore.

Alaska Air Group today named Shelly Parker as head of Hawai‘i guest operations for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Parker has also been appointed as a member of the company’s Honolulu leadership team.