Maui Business

Adjusters International, a public adjusting organization, with a specialty in FEMA disaster recovery services, is opening a new office in Kahului and the grand opening is April 1, 2011.

Wind and solar farms on Molokai and Lanai could supply up to 25% of Oahu’s electricity, according a study released yesterday by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI).

Many on Maui are going to miss the Maui Marketplace Borders store in Kahului when it closes at the end of May 2011.

In its March Forecast, the Council on Revenues lowered its projections for tax revenue growth, in fiscal year 2011, from 3.0 percent to 0.5 percent.

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has been named among the nation’s best MBA programs in U.S. News’ annual list of Best Graduate Schools.

Aloha Air Cargo and Prudential Locations are among finalist for Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau’s Annual Torch Awards, which honors trustworthiness in business.

Mayor Alan Arakawa will be the featured speaker at the Maui Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Mayor’s Luncheon on March 30, 2011.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has been issuing daily briefings since the tsunami event and yesterday also released a 9-point response coordination plan.

Applicants are being sought by the Hawaii Judiciary to fill a vacancy on the board of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP).

Data released last week by the Maui Board of Realtors indicates February 2011 home sales rose 9%, while the median sales price decreased 7%, compared to the same period last year.

In the aftermath of the tsunami event in Japan, U.S. citizens are being urged by the U.S. State Department to avoid traveling to Japan at this time.

In the wake of Thursday’s earthquake and tsunami, Mobi PCS is offering customers and the public at large free calls to Japan through Sunday, March 13.

The Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. (ML&P) reported profits of $24.8 million in 2010, reversing a net loss of $123 million the previous year, according to a statement released by the company yesterday.

February energy trend data released today by the State’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism indicates that Maui regular gas prices rose 6.7% since last year, diesel prices remain the highest in the state, and electricity prices continue to rise.

In a race to ready the Honolulu International Airport for worldwide attention during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in November 2011, the State today announced three improvement projects valued at an estimated $2 million.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced yesterday plans to reduce capacity and take other cost savings measures due to the rise in fuel costs, possibly affecting Maui and other Hawaii and Guam routes and seats.

The APEC 2011 Hawai‘i Host Committee issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) yesterday for graphic design services in support of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in November.

The Hawaii District SBA Office is encouraging small business in Hawaii to get prepared and find out about disaster assistance funding sooner than later at a free SBA webinar on March 15.

According to a list of the most dangerous spring break destinations, compiled by Avvo, an online physician and attorney rating directory, Kihei is ranked 16 and Honolulu is ranked 25.

Hawaiian was the most reliable airline out of 16 leading U.S. carriers for the month January 2011, according to a monthly report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).