Maui Business

The disaster left all the restaurants’ 120 employees without jobs, and at least 60 of them also lost their homes and vehicles. Determined to help their Maui ʻohana, the Corpuels set up a GoFundMe campaign that has since raised over $150,000 in support of employees and their families.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors has approved an immediate six-month action plan for 2024 to help address major challenges confronting residents, small businesses, visitor industry providers, Maui’s economy, and families seeking housing following the August wildfires.

Fairmont Kea Lani announced the grand opening of Hale Kukuna, a living space dedicated to sharing Hawaiian culture with all. Unveiled through a Moku Ka Piko ceremony led by the resort’s manager of Hawaiian culture, Kamahiwa Kawaʻa, and Kumu Luana Kawaʻa, Hale Kukuna opened on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

The Maui Farmer Network offers Farmer Navigational Coaching to small and beginning regenerative farmers across Maui County. In 2024, MFN will continue coaching and supporting about 45 farmers on a regular basis. Entering its 3rd year of programming, MFN is supported by funding from the County of Maui’s newly formed Department of Agriculture, and the Atherton Family Foundation.

The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau announced that its longtime president and CEO John Monahan will step down effective Dec. 31, 2023, after serving as the organization’s top leader since 2003. Tom Mullen, HVCB’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, will serve as interim president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2024.

In direct response to the estimated 2,430 families or 6,283 individuals who are still in need of housing after being displaced by the Maui wildfires, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement announced today that it has launched a new centralized housing website. HelpingMaui.org will help survivors find housing, while also serving as a platform for property owners and managers to offer their properties to survivors.

Maui Pineapple Tour announces a special collaboration with Maui Reef Adventures presenting a $150 Holiday Give Back Package. This unique package combines the Maui Pineapple Tour with Maui Reef Adventures’ Whale Watch, all while contributing to Maui Food Bank. 

Starting in January 2024, the United States Tennis Association, Hawaiʻi Pacific division will assume the management responsibilities for the Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch, including its facilities, pro shop and all tennis operations.

On Nov. 1, 2023, the last reopening phases of West Maui accommodations began, which included the remaining area from Kahana to Kā‘anapali. In November, hotels in the Lahaina/Kāʻanapali/Kapalua region were occupied by a mix of displaced Lahaina residents impacted by the fires, relief workers, and visitors.

James Campbell Company LLC, a $5.3 billion, nationally diversified real estate company based in Hawaiʻi, announced the appointment of Kevin Penn as the company’s new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 8, 2024.

The Core Four Business Planning’s first series of 2024, presented by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, starts Tuesday, Jan. 9,, and runs twice weekly through Thursday, Feb. 8.

The bonds will provide critical funding for various public buildings and facilities, elementary and secondary schools, community college and university facilities, public libraries, parks, and highways, among other public improvement projects. 

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, which is working among communities to manage tourism in a sustainable manner, has awarded a contract for island-based visitor education and brand management support services for Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs awarded the nonprofit Homestead Community Development Corporation $500,000 over two years for its Residential Employment Living Improvement program.

Central Pacific Bank concluded its Go Contactless campaign with a grand prize event by giving away a brand new 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE to a lucky participant.

Mufi Hannemann, a longtime business and political leader, was elected chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors and replaces Blaine Miyasato.

The nonprofit Arc of Maui County received an $80,000 grant from the Nareit Foundation that will be utilized to replace the aging roof of its Lahaina group home that provides housing for five residents living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DTRIC Insurance, its holding company MS&AD Insurance Group, and its parent company Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, have stepped forward with a donation of $100,000 to support Maui wildfire relief effort

UHERO forecast: “There remain a host of uncertainties surrounding Maui’s future recovery path, including how fast residents can be moved from hotels to more permanent housing, the speed of ongoing cleanup work, the extent and duration of support programs, and how long and in what fashion rebuilding will occur.”

The latest Visitor Satisfaction and Activity Survey by the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism shows high satisfaction among Hawai‘i’s visitors, with over 95% rating their experience as “excellent” or “above average.” Additionally, a special section on the impact of Maui wildfires indicates a slight decrease in satisfaction for those who visited after the Aug. 8 wildfires.