Maui Business
Hawaiʻi faces mild recession as tourism falls, inflation rises in new UHERO third quarter forecast
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 appoints Stephanie Poree as director of property management in Hawaiʻi
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.
Winners announced for the 2025 Annual Mayor’s Small Business Awards
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.
140 vendors and food trucks to showcase at the 2025 Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival
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.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines launch Atmos for Business
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 presents the return of the Ko‘i Awards Gala, alongside annual Business Fest
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.
FAM Hawaiʻi celebrates 10 years of family-focused apparel
To mark the milestone, the brand will hold an all-day community event this Saturday, Sept. 27 at its Queen Kaʻahumanu Center location.
2025 Empower Her Expo: uplifting women-owned businesses
Mālama Yo Mama, a community organization that focuses on uplifting women, hosted its Empower Her Expo this past weekend.
Maui Mayor appoints Jade P. Rojas-Letisi as Director of Office of Economic Development
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.
Hospice Maui receives Mayor’s Small Business Award for Outstanding Nonprofit
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.
Four Maui residents among winners of 2025 Timeshare with Aloha Awards
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.
Calibraro joins Central Pacific Bank as VP, Director of Enterprise Customer Experience
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.
Lahaina nonprofit leader joins latest Omidyar Fellows cohort
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.
Kiana Smith joins Hawai‘i Farm Project as director of sales and marketing
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 […]
MEO’s financial literacy class for teens set for Oct. 6-7
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.
Maui Nonprofit Directors Association announces meeting, leadership awards event
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.
Raoul Magana joins CPB to lead commercial real estate and wholesale credit
Central Pacific Bank announced Wednesday that veteran banker Raoul Magana has joined the bank as group senior vice president and manager of commercial real estate lending and wholesale credit.
Maui County jobless ready steady at 2.8%; below nation’s 4.5%, but higher than state’s 2.6%
Maui County’s jobless rate has fallen to 2.8% in August of this year, down from 4% a year after the devastating August 2023 Maui wildfires and even down from 3.9% a year before the disaster. The percentage means more available workers are employed, strengthening the job market for workers and putting more pressure on employers […]
DBEDT invites Hawaiʻi product manufacturers to exhibit at the Winter FancyFaire in San Diego
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) invites Hawaiʻi product manufacturers to exhibit at the Winter FancyFaire taking place Jan. 11-13, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center.
Maui Chamber of Commerce calls pullout of The Sentry in 2026 a ‘significant blow,’ but remains hopeful
The Maui Chamber of Commerce today released a statement in response to the PGA Tour’s announcement that The Sentry, the season-opening event of the PGA Tour, will not be held at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in 2026. This difficult decision was made due to ongoing drought conditions and severe water conservation requirements impacting the island.
