Maui Business

Pacific Resource Partnership and the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters is reminding workers on Tax Day, especially those in the construction industry, that it’s never okay for companies to pay employees under the table, deny them overtime pay and health benefits, or misclassify them as independent contractors.

Under the mayor’s budget this year, is the establishment of the East Maui Water Authority as a separate department. In addition, there’s a proposal to transfer $6 million in grants from the Administration Program to the Office of Economic Development. Caires also highlighted the addition of one expansion position, requests for public information officers, and CDGB funding for senior affordable rental housing and a resiliency center to serve wildfire survivors.

The Construction Industry of Maui today announced it is accepting applications from graduating Maui’s high school students, for its annual Bob Poulson CIM Scholarships.

After overcoming adversity following wildfires that devastated its previous location, Segway Maui is making its return to the island, and it’s doing it under a new name.

Duke’s Maui presented its inaugural Koho Pono award to 2024 honoree Edwin “Ekolu” Lindsey during a private ceremony at the restaurant last week.

The Internal Revenue Service reminds the public that it has postponed until Aug. 7, 2024, various tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Previously, the deadline was Feb. 15, 2024.

In a significant boost to aid Lahaina homeowners affected by last year’s wildfires, American Savings Bank (ASB) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) have announced an allocation of $400,000 to Hawaiʻi Community Lending through the FHLB Member Impact Fund.

Ameresco, Inc. is hosting a open house community meeting on Tuesday, May 7, to provide information and seek community input about its ‘Ūkiu Energy project located across from the Central Maui Landfill behind Hawaiian Electric’s Waena substation.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi announced the selection of its new president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaiʻi, Edmund “Ed” Chan. Chan’s roots in Hawaiʻi began early in his career. In 2000, after completing his Registered Dietitian training in Boston, he accepted a position as a clinical dietitian for Hale Makua Health Services in Kahului, Maui. Chan also took on roles at the Community Clinic of Maui and served as a consultant dietitian to Maui Youth & Family Services.

Foodland Super Market, Ltd. announced that Foodland Farms Lahaina will reopen at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Located at Lahaina Gateway, Foodland Farms Lahaina has been closed since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce is now accepting Product Vendor and Food Truck Vendor Applications for the 2024 Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival. The 11th Annual event will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Nov. 1 and 2, 2024.

Fifteen Maui companies and one from Moloka‘i exhibited their products at the renowned 49th International Food and Beverage Exhibition 2024. More than two dozen other companies from Hawai‘i also took part in the FoodEx event, held from March 5-8 at the Tokyo Big Sight in the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

Small-business owners are invited to a Spring Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the Maui Economic Development Board’s Malcom Center in Kīhei.

Small food entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their business growth will gain invaluable insights during two informational webinars in August, focused on food safety and labeling. These webinars are presented by the Maui Food Technology Center (MFTC).

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) this week published the findings of its Maui Business Health Check survey. Conducted from January to February 2024, the survey garnered responses from 290 businesses, shedding light on the post-wildfire challenges faced by the Maui business community and offering insights for progress.

Hawaiʻi workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI partnered with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, as well as dozens of Maui businesses and organizations, to host its annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration program on Maui on Thursday. More than 150 high school and college students from across Maui participated in a fast-paced schedule of activities which provided exposure to a variety of careers.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) spent the day in Hilo, where she met with Lahainaluna students participating in the 61stAnnual Merrie Monarch Festival, toured small businesses participating in this year’s 8th Hawaiʻi on the Hill, and viewed the Puainako Paving Project at Waiākea Intermediate School.

The Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union has announced a partnership with Ben Zeigler-Namoa, standout first baseman and outfielder for the University of Hawaiʻi baseball team.

Grammy award-winning Maui High alumnus, Jason Baum, will be one of the keynote speakers for the 15th Annual Hawai’i STEM Conference, taking place on April 4 and 5 at the Hawai’i Convention Center in Honolulu. The Hawai’i STEM Conference is presented each year by Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks™ program to inspire Hawai’i middle and high school students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math by giving them opportunities to learn directly from industry professionals. 

In the state of Hawaiʻi, $76,644 was raised for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. This included funds raised by Jersey Mike’s franchises in Wailuku (Maui Lani Shopping Center) and Kahului (Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center) during the month of March.