Maui Business

This year, HawaiiUSA is awarding two additional scholarships for a total of 22 scholarships at $2,000 each, making the total amount of scholarship money to be distributed $44,000. Since 1990, the credit union has awarded 560 scholarships for a total of $843,500.

Lisa Paulson, executive director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, has been honored with top industry recognitions, including Hospitality Executive of the Year by Pacific Edge magazine.

Hawaiian Electric and developer Innergex Renewable Energy have terminated an agreement for a planned grid-scale solar and battery storage project in South Maui. According to HECO, the project was hit with lengthy delays resulting from the developer’s legal challenges and pandemic-related cost and supply-chain issues. Of five solar projects approved on Maui since 2018, only one is being built.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will hold a community meeting to discuss proposed actions for tourism in support of Maui’s recovery. The meeting will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall on Monday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“In the wake of the Maui wildfires, the Department of the Attorney General’s participation and support of this global campaign has taken on greater meaning,” said Attorney General Lopez. “Ensuring that charitable donations go directly to reputable and legitimate charities is a critical government concern as our state has seen a wave of donations and increased fundraising efforts to help victims and assist in the recovery relief effort on Maui.”

Originally set to close on Sept. 29, 2023, Hawaiʻi Energy will continue to accept applications on a first come, first served basis, until funds are exhausted. Nonprofits, small businesses, and restaurants that are pursuing energy efficiency projects may apply for a grant of up to $6,000, which may cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. 

Hawaiian Electric has expanded the Shift and Save pilot program on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island to 16,000 participants who will test new time-of-use or TOU rates starting Feb. 1.  Commencement of the study on Maui is temporarily suspended; however, eligible Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi customers may voluntarily enroll in the TOU rates.

Attendees of the Hilton Grand Vacations hiring event will have the chance to explore job opportunities, meet company team members, and apply and interview for positions on-site. Some people could receive conditional on-the-spot employment offers.

Maui Economic Opportunity reminds small farmers and ranchers that the application deadline for the Maui County Agricultural Micro Grant Program 4.0, which offers up to $25,000 in grants, is about a week away. 

CocoNene’s Maui Biz Ornaments initiative, featuring collectible wooden ornaments of local businesses, channels 50% of sales directly to Lahaina businesses that were affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires.

Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism encourage residents and visitors to buy Hawaiian-made products during the holidays, driving local economic growth and aiding in business recovery.

Award-winning graphic designer and ‘Ōiwi creator, Wailani Artates, announces the launch of lifestyle brand, Only Aloha Here, this weekend on Nov. 25 in her hometown of Makawao. The launch showcases a range of collaborations with local businesses.

Subaru Hawaiʻi has directed the majority of proceeds from this year’s “Share the Love” event, running Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, to benefit three local nonprofits.

The demand for vacation rentals in Maui County fell to 98,500 unit nights, a 27% decrease from October 2022 and a whopping 61.5% decrease from October 2019 (before the pandemic struck).

Maui still has not totally bounced back from the job losses due to the August fires. A year ago in October, Mauiʻs unemployment was only 3.7%.

Hawai‘i Vacation Condos by Outrigger has named Henry “Hap” Judd as general manager of Nāpili Shores Maui; and Jordan Whitmire as general manager of both Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa Kauaʻi, and Lae Nani Resort Kauaʻi.

Maui Health continued its annual holiday tradition of giving by donating more than 4,600 combined pounds of turkey, vegetarian roast, and rice to the Maui Food Bank. The donation was delivered on Monday, and included nearly 250 frozen turkeys and vegetarian roasts, and a full pallet of 15-pound bags of rice.

Over a thousand people came out on Sunday, Nov. 19 to support Maui at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Oʻahu. Maui vendors participating in the Kōkua for Maui: Shop and Show Aloha event showcased various products from around Maui County, giving many businesses a new opportunity to sell and highlight their work. 

An estimated 9,330 students across all islands will benefit from the Tools for Schools funds for classroom improvements, including instructional technology, lab and exercise equipment, books, art supplies and more. The project recipients come from 50 schools located in both rural and urban communities, with 34% on Maui.

Hawaiʻi public schools have been awarded with 10 grants from the Bayer Fund- Hawaiʻi Science Education Grant, advancing STEM education in schools across Maui, Oʻahu and Molokaʻi.