Maui Business
Koholā Brewery poised for another comeback after Lahaina wildfire
Koholā Brewery is set for a grand opening July 21 as a taproom and restaurant at the Wailea Village shopping center. This marks the second comeback for the independent craft beer brewery founded in Lahaina in 2014.
MEO’s chief administrative officer Maggie Batangan earns certified professional credential
Maui Economic Opportunity Chief Administrative Officer Maggie Batangan has earned a certified professional credential from the Society for Human Resource Management, joining the ranks of a worldwide organization dedicated to creating better workplaces.
Maui businesses share stories of resilience after Lahaina wildfire disaster
With the one-year anniversary of the Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires drawing near, business owners are pausing to reflect on their resilience and ability to withstand adversity, including losses of life, property and livelihood.
Warren retires from Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union after 30 years of service
After 30 years of work as an executive in financial services, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union’s Craig Warren will retire at the end of the year as executive vice president and chief operating officer, the credit union announced.
Sterling Higa elected chair of Hawai‘i Community Development Authority
The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority members unanimously voted Sterling Higa as chair. Higa has been serving on the board since 2022.
Hawaiian Telcom invests in new training center and Fioptics-branded vehicles
Hawaiian Telcom has a new training center in Hālawa and freshly branded vehicles, both of which were unveiled Tuesday during a dedication ceremony.
Maui single-family home prices rise to $1.35 million in June while condos remain at $980,000
The price of a single-family home in Maui County soared to $1.35 million in June, up 30.8% over the same month last year, the Realtors Association of Maui reports. Meanwhile, condos remained virtually unchanged at $980,000.
State opens micro-grant program for small-scale agriculture
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the popular Micro-Grant for Food Security Program. This is the fourth year of the grant program which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities. A total of $3,576,470 is available for this year’s program which was provided by the US Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Queen Kaʻahumanu Center seeks cultural organizations and vendors to join ‘808 Bash’
Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is seeking vendors for the debut of its latest signature event, 808 Bash, happening on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Hawaiʻi State FCU announces results of Board of Directors election
Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union (Hawaiʻi State FCU) today announced that Brennon Morioka, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and Darren Nakao, executive vice president and chief financial officer at UHA Health Insurance, have been elected to serve on its volunteer board of directors. Monica Toguchi Ryan, owner and president of Highway Inn, has been reelected to the board for her third and final term. Morioka, Nakao and Toguchi Ryan will all serve new three-years terms, effective June 22, 2024.
Servco Pacific receives national award: US Best Managed Company
Servco Pacific, Inc. (Servco) has been selected as a 2024 US Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree. This is Servco’s fifth consecutive year as a US Best Managed Company.
President of Hawaiian Host Group appointed to serve on Board of Governors for East-West Center Corp.
Ed Schultz, President & CEO of HHG, was appointed to the Board of Governors for the East-West Center Corporation by Gov. Josh Green, effective July 1, 2024.
Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs invited to pitch their products for a spot on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves
Walmart is now accepting applications for its 11th annual Open Call event, inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs across the US to apply for the opportunity to pitch their products to be sold on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or on Walmart.com and SamsClub.com. Applications are open until July 15, 2024.
Free creative industry courses offered through Good Jobs Hawai‘i include 3D rendering, esports and more
Four free courses are being offered to Hawai‘i residents through the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges’ Good Jobs Hawai‘i initiative in collaboration with Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division (CID).
Moratorium on disconnections of electric service for non-payment for Maui customers extended through Aug. 31
Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least Aug. 31, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about potential disconnection of their electric service, according to a company announcement.
UHERO report: Commercial fishing shows strong potential to diversify Maui’s economy
A new report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization identifies potential opportunities to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy by analyzing a variety of industries across counties in the US and the state.
“Bill protection” credit to end July 31 for Shift and Save pilot program participants enrolled since February
The Shift and Save pilot, which incorporates time-of-use rates that are lower in the daytime when cheaper solar energy is abundant, went live in February with 16,000 homes and businesses on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Customers enrolled since February must decide whether they will continue beyond the six-month bill protection period.
Niu Life Kitchen, South Maui Fish Co., Wailuku Coffee Co. among recipients of Hawai‘i Green Business Program awards
The 2024 award cohort included seven businesses of Maui County that excelled in sustainable business practices.
Castle Hospitality Group promotes Lahaina’s Ashley Asuega-Stark to GM of Chase ‘N Rainbows
Castle Hospitality Group has promoted Ashley Asuega-Stark from assistant general manager to general manager of Chase ‘N Rainbows, the company’s West Maui Vacation Rental Division.
Kahikolu Project on Maui targets axis deer and widespread environmental impacts
Prolific herds of hungry Axis deer continue to wreak havoc in Maui County, damaging farm crops, overgrazing livestock pasture lands, threatening fragile watersheds and even encroaching in heavily urbanized areas like Kahului Airport’s runways and baggage claim areas. Without natural predators in the islands, the deer have flourished unchecked. Now, in part due to an initiative funded by Maui County, some deer are falling prey to hungry humans.
