Maui Business

The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Maui Island was 6.2% in January 2024, compared to 5.8% the previous month, and 3% at the same time in 2023. The data was included in a new report released today from the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development announced that applications are now available for the Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Program. The program is designed to support projects, programs and events that aim to generate positive economic impacts within Maui County. The application deadline is April 30, 2024.

While thousands of wildfire survivors remain displaced, Maui County Council members heard Tuesday a proposal for the state to purchase the former 216-room Maui Sun Hotel property in central Kīhei and convert it into long-term affordable workforce housing and a public prekindergarten facility.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali marks the completion of its multi-year, $160 million transformation with the complete renovation and rebranding of the Ocean Tower into Kūkahi Tower.

The Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center will receive $10,000 through the 2023-24 Stand For The Arts Awards, a partnership with Ovation TV that recognizes local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs, Spectrum announced.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, M.D. received the Resilience in Tourism Award at Forbes Travel Guide’s “The Summit” event, held in Las Vegas, Feb. 28-29. The award commends a leader demonstrating a dedication and focus on building resilience in a meaningful and impactful way.

Spectrum has announced that Māpunawai Inc. was one of the 46 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive the $15,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant this year.

Maui’s Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, today announced the opening of its Kilolani Spa, a new 50,000 square foot open air luxury spa.

Hawaiian Electric will postpone the launch of its new rooftop solar and energy storage programs by one month while the company makes changes approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the company announced. The new programs, originally scheduled to launch March 1, will now be available to customers starting April 1.

The Core Four Business Planning Course’s second series of 2024, classes focused on how to start and run a business, starts Tuesday, March 5, and runs twice weekly through Thursday, April 4.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaiʻi and US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai held a roundtable discussion with Hawaiʻi resource partners and local business owners.

Wailea Beach Resort General Manager Angela Vento will chair the 2024 Maui County Charity Walk set for May 4, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced.

Maui-based nonprofit organization, UVSC (Us Vs. Cancer), was recently selected by the well-known beauty brand, Thrive Causemetics, as a Giving Partner.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Friday advanced several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate. These bills cover areas of supporting the local agriculture industry, protecting the environment against invasive species, building the workforce for the future through public education, and addressing the affordable housing shortage.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center welcomes ReVive Boutique, a second-hand store benefiting Women Helping Women. For more than 10 years, the Kahului boutique has been a resource for apparel and home goods and will continue to serve the community at its new Queen Kaʻahumanu Center location starting on Feb. 29.

The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 47th Annual ʻŌʻō Award. 

Ameresco Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, has been awarded a contract from Hawaiian Electric Co. for the proposed ‘Ūkiu Energy 40-megawatt renewable energy site in Puʻu-nēnē.

The bank’s employees from the former Lahaina Branch on Papalaua Street that was lost in the fire will be staffing the new location. FHB will be submitting applications for permits to begin construction at the Lahaina Cannery location and hopes to expedite the development of the new location.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai visited Maui Economic Opportunity’s Wailuku offices Wednesday, Feb. 21, for a listening session about the wildfire recovery.

Hawaiʻi’s economy has been sustained by a resilient US economy and the gradual return of international visitors. According to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s first quarter forecast for 2024, with the islands’ post-pandemic recovery now largely complete, the economy will downshift this year, and growth will increasingly come from local sources, including a robust construction sector bolstered by the rebuilding of Lahaina, Maui.