Maui Business
Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner in support of STEM education, Oct. 26
The long-awaited Maui Economic Development Board’s Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction, “Pathways To Our Future” takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Organizers say participation and generosity helps to advance STEM education and workforce development, playing a vital role in the well-being and future prosperity of the islands.
Rezoning for Queen Kaʻahumanu Center clears path forward, owner representative says
The representative of the owner of Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is lauding the Maui County Council’s approval of rezoning for the Kahului complex that has struggled in recent years with the decline of brick-and-mortar shopping malls.
Young Brothers requests rate adjustment to sustain vital interisland shipping
Young Brothers, LLC has filed a rate case with the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission, requesting approval of a $26.3 million increase in revenue – or an average 20% increase in rates for the majority of cargo – to cover significant increases in the cost of service, support critical investments to upgrade equipment and infrastructure, and sustain the vital interisland shipping service that connects the state’s island communities.
Maui’s ʻOkoʻa Farms announces store expansion, doubles down on local, organic food network
Following a successful year at their upcountry storefront, ʻOkoʻa Farms announces the purchase of an additional unit to expand their operations. The 1,000 square foot unit will provide them the space to feature more locally sourced produce and products while providing market-goers with an elevated shopping experience.
Maui’s Ronnie Espiritu named Food & Beverage Person of the Year by ARDA-Hawaiʻi
Maui’s Ronnie Espiritu, an employee at the Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, was named the Food & Beverage Person of the Year by ARDA-Hawaiʻi, the local chapter of the American Resort Development Association.
Maui’s Waiwaolani, To Be Organics and Farm to Fudge are among 10 ‘must-watch’ businesses in the 2024 Mana Up Showcase
The 2024 Mana Up Showcase marks the culmination of the annual six-month accelerator, highlighting 10 must-watch Hawai‘i-based product companies from Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island. These emerging brands, alongside many more, will be featured during the Mana Up Showcase 2024: Alikaleo Park, Bizia Surf, Farm to Fudge, Hawai‘i Ulu Cooperative, Honua Skincare, Kaua‘i Hemp Co., Kris Goto, Okonokai, To Be Organics, and Waiwaolani.
Wildfire survivors can get free or reduced-cost designs for home rebuilding
Maui property owners impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires can access free or reduced-cost home design plans and rebuilding assistance through a collaborative effort between the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and local AIA Maui chapter architectural firms, including Hawaii Off Grid Architecture + Engineering.
Hawaiʻi businesses reach out to expand markets at 96th Tokyo International Gift Show
A mix of first-time and returning Maui businesses showcased their products at the 2024 Tokyo International Gift Show, held Sept. 4-6 at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center in Japan.
MEO to provide financial education, credit counseling to fire survivors
Maui Economic Opportunity will provide money management education, credit counseling and debt management assistance to those impacted by the August 2023 wildfires with a grant from the American Red Cross.
Young Brothers christens new barges; Kalohi to service Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi
Young Brothers christened the Kalohi and Nāulu barges last week, marking a milestone in a more than $45 million investment to enhance the reliability and resilience of interisland shipping services.
Governor appoints Todd Apo to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
Nonprofit executive Todd Apo has been appointed to the board of directors of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the Office of the Governor announced.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority partners with Japan tour operators to promote responsible tourism
Japan tour operators HIS, JALPAK and JTB Hawaiʻi each received Qurator recognition, an official mark of excellence for Hawai‘i-based and -operating companies that remain committed to responsible tourism.
DLIR adds online unemployment insurance tools for employers
Starting Oct. 7, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will implement additional tools for employers into the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES), in partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and the US Department of Labor.
State of Hawai‘i takes part in $52 million, multi-state settlement with Marriott for data breach
The state of Hawai‘i will receive $438,045 from a $52 million settlement reached by a coalition of 50 attorneys general with Marriott International Inc. as the result of an investigation into a large multi-year data breach of one of its guest reservation databases, the state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection announced today.
MFTC announces Food Labeling Workshop, Oct. 30
Maui Food Technology Center will hold an in-person Food Labeling Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Maui Food Innovation Center at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Pilina Building, Room 225 located at 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave. in Kahului. Those interested in learning about the latest in food labeling, regulatory requirements, and how their efforts can be a game changer are encouraged to attend.
Three Hawaiʻi programs take national IT award honors
Three Hawaiʻi state departments were honored at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers 2024 State IT Recognition Awards in New Orleans Oct. 1 for their technology project entries, including one taking the top award in the Emerging & Innovative Technologies category.
XLR8HI wins Stage Two of the SBA’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund competition
XLR8HI is one of 44 Stage Two winners nationally for the US Small Business Administration’s 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.
Q4 Hawaiʻi annual business reports due before the new year
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division (BREG) reminds businesses to file their annual business reports.
Heavy lifts: German Bionic exoskeletons introduced in Hawaiʻi with Servco Pacific partnership
German Bionic, a leading global robotics company with offices in Boston, Berlin and Tokyo, is partnering with Servco Pacific Inc. to introduce Apogee and Apogee+ smart, robotic exoskeletons to customers in Hawaiʻi.
Vendors announced for the 2024 Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival
The Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival returns for its 11th year on Nov. 1 and 2 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, continuing its tradition of celebrating local craftsmanship, culture and community. This year’s event will feature a curated selection of products from Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.