Maui Business

The Maui Economic Development Board presents a new Tech ʻOhana talk on March 11, featuring Doug Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kinection and Partner with The Prompt. He will explore some of the human skills that matter most for effective collaboration, even as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important part of work environments.

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development is encouraging Maui County businesses to participate in the Maui Nui Business Health Check, a countywide survey focused on understanding current business conditions and identifying opportunities that support recovery, stability and long-term growth. 

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has selected AEA Consulting, an internationally recognized firm specializing in cultural strategy and planning, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the development of a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center in Kakaʻako Makai — a project rooted in community, culture, and the revitalization of Native Hawaiian presence in urban Honolulu.

First Hawaiian, Inc. announced today that Alan Arizumi, vice chairman of First Hawaiian, Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, will retire effective April 3, 2026, following more than 40 years of service. Executive Vice President Michael Tottori will assume responsibility for the Wealth Management Group and join the Senior Management Committee.

The Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance and the Food and Product Innovation Network are hosting the inaugural Food and Product Innovation Network Day at the Capitol, a convening of exhibitors, partners and stakeholders to highlight the collective impact of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation ecosystem.

Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation by reducing single-use plastics throughout the Resort with a new on-site, closed-loop water bottling and filtration system.

Among this year’s Huakaʻi Awards honorees is David Sellers who is credited with helping to mobilize resources and advocate for families facing loss following the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

To help Hawaiʻi Foodbank meet rising demand across the islands, Matson has increased its support for Hawaiʻi families in need by adding 100 containers to its existing pledge of in-kind shipping services for 400 containers annually through 2027 to serve Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s program for purchasing and transporting large quantities of food from the continental US. 

Maui United Way, a leading nonprofit serving Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi, has appointed Jeeyun Lee as its new Chief Executive Officer. Lee most recently served as the organization’s Director of Community Impact and as Interim CEO since July 2025. She provides oversight of 60 programs and is responsible for a budget of more than $5 million.

AARP Hawaiʻi welcomes Maui resident Grant Chun, a retired attorney and housing executive, as its new state president. The state president, a volunteer position, works closely with the state director, staff and volunteers to lead AARP’s work in Hawaiʻi. 

Christy Chung has joined Maui Economic Opportunity as Chief Operating Officer. Her job is to manage, coordinate and support MEO’s day-to-day operations and more than 30 programs in the agency’s five departments and offices in Hāna and on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. She also is overseeing facilities and ensuring contract compliance.

Wildfire survivor and advocate Kai Pelayo and the Stupski Foundation, which gifted Maui Economic Opportunity $450,000 for early childhood programs, were named Volunteer and Benefactor of the Year respectively at MEO’s annual Volunteer Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 13.

Multiple Maui properties and employees earned accolades including the Wailea Beach Marriott, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, the Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, the Hampton Inn & Suites, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, and the Fairmont Kea Lani.

New and returning officers and board members of the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce convened for a strategic planning workshop on Saturday to reaffirm the organization’s mission, reassess priorities, and set renewed goals focused on streamlined programming, stronger member engagement, and long-term capacity building.

The Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship through Feb. 23, 2026. In its 76th year, the Foundation continues its commitment to supporting Hawaiʻi students who plan to pursue degrees in business or related fields.

Patrick Klein, a lifelong Hawaii resident with deep ties to the local business and not-for-profit community, officially took over as CEO of Easterseals Hawaii at the start of the new year.

A new platform has launched on Maui, aiming to lower the cost of living on the island by redirecting tourism dollars into the local economy. Mahalo Rewards, developed by a Maui-born software engineer, eliminates marketing fees for local businesses by utilizing a visitor-funded model.

Sedona Wachaiyu has joined the Maui Economic Opportunity Board of Directors as Head Start Policy Council representative.

Small business owners looking to work with government agencies can attend a free workshop in Kīhei on April 7 hosted by state and federal transportation officials.

Delta Air Lines will launch daily nonstop service between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Kahului Airport beginning Dec. 19, 2026, opening a new direct pipeline from the Upper Midwest.