Maui Business

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) this week published the findings of its Maui Business Health Check survey. Conducted from January to February 2024, the survey garnered responses from 290 businesses, shedding light on the post-wildfire challenges faced by the Maui business community and offering insights for progress.

Hawaiʻi workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI partnered with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, as well as dozens of Maui businesses and organizations, to host its annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration program on Maui on Thursday. More than 150 high school and college students from across Maui participated in a fast-paced schedule of activities which provided exposure to a variety of careers.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) spent the day in Hilo, where she met with Lahainaluna students participating in the 61stAnnual Merrie Monarch Festival, toured small businesses participating in this year’s 8th Hawaiʻi on the Hill, and viewed the Puainako Paving Project at Waiākea Intermediate School.

The Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union has announced a partnership with Ben Zeigler-Namoa, standout first baseman and outfielder for the University of Hawaiʻi baseball team.

Grammy award-winning Maui High alumnus, Jason Baum, will be one of the keynote speakers for the 15th Annual Hawai’i STEM Conference, taking place on April 4 and 5 at the Hawai’i Convention Center in Honolulu. The Hawai’i STEM Conference is presented each year by Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks™ program to inspire Hawai’i middle and high school students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math by giving them opportunities to learn directly from industry professionals. 

In the state of Hawaiʻi, $76,644 was raised for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. This included funds raised by Jersey Mike’s franchises in Wailuku (Maui Lani Shopping Center) and Kahului (Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center) during the month of March.

Hawaiian Telcom has rolled out Secure Network, an enterprise-grade network solution priced and tailored for small to medium businesses. The network provides cyberthreat protection for businesses with limited information technology resources while delivering superior network performance and WiFi, according to an announcement.

Inspired by the devastation of the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, Makawao artist and gallery owner Jordanne Perkins picked up her brushes and painted her Lahaina Strong Series — 45 paintings in 52 days to honor Lahaina residents and memories of their historic town.

Maui Health will host a Maui Health Care Career Fair on Friday, April 5, 1-4 p.m., and Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku. The career fair will help provide individualized guidance for anyone looking to start or expand a career in health care, including application assistance and on-the-spot interviews for qualified applicants.

Hawaiian Electric kicked off a new framework Monday for customers to streamline their choices for participation in the utility’s rooftop solar energy programs.

Maui Walking Tours LLC is now offering free guided walks through Kīhei every Monday and Wednesday sharing stories of the town’s history through the centuries. Tours start at 5 p.m. and guide participants through a mile-long journey that highlights the area’s origins as a fishing village, the military presence during the 1940s, the tourism boom of South Maui in the 1970s and more. 

Foodland Super Market today launched Project Keiki, a new monthlong statewide community giving program that will help provide lunches and meals to Hawai‘i’s children on days they don’t have access to school lunches. Support will go to the Hawai‘i food banks on four islands to fulfill this mission.

Maui Mompreneur celebrates its 11th year supporting the local community of shoppers and vendors during a spring event at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College on April 26-28, 2024.  

This past Saturday, proprietors of five distinct food trucks commemorated the bittersweet grand opening of their new home, Maikaʻi Market, in Kahului.

Coldwell Banker Island Properties, one of Hawaii’s largest real estate brokerages, has announced the appointment of Chuck Garrett as the managing broker and general manager for its Oʻahu operations.

There were 181,301 visitors on Maui in February 2024, and visitor spending was $443.1 million, according to new data released by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. That’s down from the 220,741 visitors in February 2023 when visitor spending was $540.1 million; and also down from February 2019, when there were 221,603 visitors and visitor spending was $413.2 million.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources estimates it will cost approximately $30 million to repair and rebuild fire-ravaged Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. Meanwhile, a bill to provide state funding for maintenance dredging at small boat harbors statewide has advanced to the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives.

Federal approval was given this week to the state’s Digital Equity Plan, paving the way for federal funding to provide greater internet access statewide and addressing other diverse digital needs.

Krank Cycles will open a new shop next month in Lahaina, according to an announcement.

After receiving overwhelming community support and interest from potential buyers, Home Maid Bakery will remain open indefinitely and not close at the end of this month as previously announced.