Maui Business
MAPA starts construction on black box theater; puts up two Wailuku buildings for sale
Maui Academy of Performing Arts has started construction on its new black box theater in the former National Dollar Store building at 2027 Main Street in Wailuku. With plans to consolidate programming in the new facility, the Board of Directors made the decision to list MAPA’s other two commercial buildings across the street for sale with Commercial Properties of Maui.
Hawaiian Electric offers Maui County customers voluntary enrollment in time-of-use rates
The program tests time-of-use rates and is intended to reduce bills for customers and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announces more than $7.5 million in grants statewide
In 2024, HTA is partnering to provide more than $7.5 million in total funding to support 163 nonprofit organizations, community groups, practitioners, projects and events throughout the state.
Maui visitor arrivals up to highest levels in five months; December spending down
Maui visitor arrivals were up in December to the highest levels in the nearly five months since the August Lahaina wildfire disaster, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Honolulu Cookie Company launches Maui collection for wildfire relief
Beginning today, Honolulu Cookie Company is launching a special collection of Maui-focused products to support recovery efforts due to the August 2023 wildfires.
Merger fireside chat: Airline demand patterns ‘thrown sideways’ on Maui since August wildfires
Executives with Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines discussed their recently announced merger agreement during a fireside chat hosted by the Maui Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Bank of Hawai‘i announces Maui resident as new primary relationship officer
Bank of Hawai‘i has appointed Cassidy Matsuda as a primary relationship officer in the bank’s Maui Commercial Banking Center.
Hawaiʻi Community Lending received $5M investment to House Native Hawaiians
The organization plans to use the Stupski investment to finance construction loans for native Hawaiians to build on Department of Hawaiian Homelands. With this investment, HCL aims to house 200 beneficiary families over the next five years directly with the funds.
Hawai‘i Digital Currency Innovation Lab to conclude after four years of research
Digital currency companies operating in Hawai‘i should continue to adhere to federal regulations relevant to their activities.
HIS partnership combines corporate travel with regenerative tourism
H.I.S. Co., Ltd. (“HIS”), and HIS Hawaii, entered into a yearlong strategic partnership with The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) and Meet Hawai‘i to promote regenerative tourism for corporate groups traveling to the state, the company announced on Tuesday.
Hawaiian Telcom makes $223M investment to expand fiber internet, including on Maui
In 2023, Hawaiian Telcom’s fiber expansion included the entire island of Lāna‘i and more than 95% of the island of Moloka‘i, as well as parts of Wailuku, Kīhei, and Makawao on the Maui isle.
Maui vacation rental supply still up YTD 2022, despite inactive units in Lahaina
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 expands to 24-hour operation on weekdays
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 boosts summer schedule
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 opens Pilina restaurant
Fairmont Kea Lani announced the opening of Pilina, the resort’s newest bar and restaurant.
Maui hotels still lead counties in RevPAR and ADR in December 2023 Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report
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.
Hawaiʻi Attorney General urges FCC to restrict AI use in telemarketing
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.
SBA Disaster Loan deadline for applications related to the Maui wildfires is days away
The US Small Business Administration’s deadline for Federal Disaster Loan applications related to the Maui wildfires is Jan. 25, 2024.
Maui County surcharge and GET is now 4.5% as of Jan. 1, 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%.
Central Pacific Bank’s Meals 4 Maui program raises $25,000 to feed Maui residents
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.
