Maui Business

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College hosts an Innovation Day to showcase baccalaureate student projects in science and engineering this week.

Visitor arrivals to Maui fell in March, but higher average daily spending contributed to a 5.7% increase in Maui visitor expenditures, according to updated data released by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $734,000 for the replacement of a chiller at the Maui Research and Technology Center in South Maui.

The bill now goes before the full House and Senate for a final vote on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Maui organizations included on the list are: Maui Family Support Services, Maui Economic Development Board, Hale Mahaolu, Maui Economic Opportunity, Hui Mālama Learning Center, and the Maui High School Booster Club.

Late last night, Stella Blues Cafe posted the following, “I’m very saddened to say that after 23 years Stella Blues Cafe is closing its doors.”

Nineteen students were included in the latest graduating class from Maui Economic Opportunity’s Core Four Business Planning course on April 22, 2014, the organization announced.

A Molokaʻi man was charged with wire fraud charges for an investment scheme in which he allegedly spent funds obtained on personal items including credit card payments, an online girlfriend in the Philippines, and an online adventure video game, according to the FBI.

Local developer Peter Savio plans to grow his Pagoda hotel brand with the purchase and expansion of the 147-room Maui Beach Hotel.

Representatives with Hawaiian Airlines tell Maui Now that they do not comment on pending litigation, and stated, “Hawaiian’s first commitment is always to safety.” Airline representatives also confirmed that they requested an informal conference with the FAA to discuss the matter.

The Andaz Maui at Wailea was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 18th annual Hot List, which is touted as a guide to the best new hotels and resorts in the world.

The new casual dining venue Tortugas Authentic Mexican Restaurant has opened in the Maui Mall in the space next to Baskin Robbins.

The report listed the average price of gas in Wailuku on Thursday, April 17, at $4.42 a gallon, up two cents from last week, and up 11 cents from last month.

The Island of Maui in Maui County recorded a slightly lower rate of 4.8% in March 2013, down from the 5% rate recorded in February, and the 5.1% rate reported in March of last year.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the organization’s ongoing efforts to advance education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in Maui County.

The new flights are expected to boost visitor arrivals from China by 37% in 2014, provide an estimated $81.06 million in annual visitor spending, and $8.47 million in state tax revenue for Hawaiʻi.

Selected individuals will gather pertinent information on a specified case, submit written recommendations to the judge, and attend court hearings on behalf of the child.

The Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar company on Maui will host a community open house from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at the Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria.

According to the USDA, Hawaiʻi’s seed industry was valued at $217 million—that’s a drop from the $242 million estimated value a year earlier, when the industry set a record high.

The Pro Bowl will return to Hawaiʻi in 2016. The 2014 game in Hawaiʻi contributed an estimated $71.9 million in direct visitor spending in the state.

The area was one of only three neighbor island location included on the list, and was ranked behind Oʻahu’s Kapolei and Ocean Pointe in Ewa Beach, which were ranked first and second respectively.