Maui Business

In December 2023, Maui County had more available rental unit nights than any other county in the state, at 233,000 available nights this past month, per the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. This comes despite the fact vacation rental units in Lahaina continue to be inactive due to the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires.

Maui Powerhouse Gym announced its expansion to a 24-hour schedule on weekdays, starting Jan. 29. This change comes in response to the community’s request for extended gym hours.

Hawaiian Airlines is increasing flights for the summer travel season between Honolulu and Austin, Boston, Las Vegas and Pago Pago. The airline will also add a fourth daily flight between HNL and Los Angeles from May 24 through Sept. 2.

Fairmont Kea Lani announced the opening of Pilina, the resort’s newest bar and restaurant.

Maui County hotels continued to be impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires, but still led the counties in December 2023 Revenue Per Available Room due to comparatively higher Average Daily Rate. 

Attorney General Anne Lopez joins a coalition of 26 states in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission emphasizing the potential harm in the use of artificial intelligence by telemarketers and asking the federal government to strongly restrict such usage.

The US Small Business Administration’s deadline for Federal Disaster Loan applications related to the Maui wildfires is Jan. 25, 2024.

County of Maui officials are reminding the public that the Maui County surcharge and general excise tax as of Jan. 1, 2024, is now 4.5%, with a maximum pass-on rate of 4.712%.

The funds provided 2,150 meals to the Maui community between Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, 2023, which included 250 Thanksgiving meals to registered Lahaina families within the burn zone, 600 meals to families and keiki at a Keiki Christmas Bash, and 1,300 meals to school students.

Ritual Integrative Wellness, a new small business merchant at the Maui Mall Village, is inviting the community to enjoy free classes during its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The wellness studio is offering free 30-minute yoga and Pilates Reformer classes to those who sign up online in advance.

This project is based on Kauaʻi, where the Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel last year began supplying its biodiesel to KIUC as a source of renewable energy supporting the Kauaʻi utility’s accelerated pathway to 100% renewable electricity production by 2033, more than a decade earlier than the State of Hawaiʻi’s mandated timeline of 2045.

The event will feature a keynote address from Hawaiian Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Ingram and Alaska Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci. They will discuss the merger, timeline, benefits/services and more.

The Hawai’i Employers Council has announced the selection of Harrilynn Kameenui, General Counsel of Pūlama Lānaʻi, to serve another three-year term on its board.

Maui-based consulting firm Skog Rasmussen LLC has announced the addition of Kimberly Thayer as its newest partner.

The Maui ERC was formed in response to the wildfires that devastated Lahaina and Kula and is led by co-chairs James Kunane Tokioka, DBEDT Director, and Luana Mahi, OED Director.

The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau announced the promotion of Sue Kanoho to Managing Director of its Island Chapters, which includes the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau and Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau.

The volunteers worked at Paeloko Learning Center, a Native Hawaiian education center in Waihe’e that provides hands-on learning opportunities through educational field trips, cultural workshops, and environmental restoration projects.

American Savings Bank announced the retirement of Gabe Lee, who served as Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking for over 25 years and successfully created ASB’s Commercial Banking division. Tony Mizuno, who joined ASB in 2020 and has more than 30 years of banking experience, was promoted to lead ASB’s Commercial Banking team.

Aloha Harvest today announced it has received a $20,810 donation from First Hawaiian Bank, as part of the bank’s annual Kōkua Mai employee giving campaign. The funds will provide a boost for Aloha Harvest, reinforcing its capacity to sustain and enhance general operations, ultimately amplifying the positive impact on food rescue and addressing local food insecurity challenges.

CocoNene, the local brand known for its made in Hawaiʻi products, has expanded its presence at International Market Place on Oʻahu.  The Waikīkī expansion is part of rebuilding and recovery efforts after the Lahaina flagship store was lost in the West Maui fire in August of 2023. It also comes a month after the grand opening of their new store in Māʻalaea, Maui at the Maui Harbor Shops.