Maui Business

Honolulu County remains the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.8%, with the Big Island at 4.1% and Kaua’i at 4.4%.

Fukushima Store owner George Fukushima, whose parents started the store more than a half century ago in Haʻikū, said he is not doing media interviews. He reluctantly agreed to a brief statement. “On Dec. 23, we will close for the holidays,” Fukushima told Maui Now on Tuesday. “We will decide after that.”

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali has launched “When the Shadows Fall,” celebrating the Polynesian medicinal plant known in Hawai‘i as ‘awa.

Lance Parker is a 28-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry.

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 13 and ending on Christmas Eve, guests can enter for a chance to win prizes from several retailers and restaurants. The Shops will select and announce one winner each day. 

More than 60 vendors will offer handmade crafts, jewelry, art, baked goods and other gifts during the two-day Maui Mompreneur shopping event in Kahului next weekend.

Located at 225 Pi‘ikea Avenue in the Pi‘ilani Village Shopping Center Food Court, Cold Stone Creamery Kīhei has been serving the Maui community for over 20 years. Joshua Kong and Lindsey Kalaiwa‘a, 2008 Kamehameha Schools Maui graduates, became the store’s newest franchisees in August 2022.

Kamehameha Schools has named Hilarie Alomar as director of Planning and Development. Alomar will utilize her sense of Hawaiian culture and her expertise in land use, entitlements, infrastructure, and community outreach to guide planning for KS’ Hawai‘i real estate portfolio.   

At perhaps the most popular local coffee spot Upcountry, it’s hard to say what customers like better: the drinks or the owners. “The coffee is delicious, and the other thing I love about this place is the vibe. They’re so friendly and they’re really great people,” said Alfonso Segreti, who regularly drives from Kula to Makawao to get a decaf honey cream latte — even though he hasn’t had caffeine in four years.

Another former Maui County official with the Maui County Department of Environmental Management, Wilfred Tamayo Savella, 71, is the latest individual to be charged with taking bribes in a scheme tied to Honolulu businessman Milton Choy.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Alaska Airlines BizMixx Maui event takes place Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 6-11 p.m. at the Grand Wailea Resort.

Thanks to strong tourism numbers and improved labor market conditions, Hawai’i’s economy will see little impact from the US recession predicted early next year, according to a new state report released Wednesday. 

The monthly Kīhei 4th Friday event was bustling on Black Friday with people holiday shopping from the local small business vendors set up in the Azeka Shopping Center parking lot.

A Small Business Saturday event takes place this weekend, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wailuku Town. This year, there are 13 participating shops and retailers on Market and Main Streets.

In October, Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties with 211,900 available unit nights. That’s up +2.9% from 2021, but down -34.5% from 2019. 

Maui-based OCEAN also helped raise funds for the foundation’s research, education and conservation programs.

Maui Family YMCA announced today the appointment of three new members to its board of directors: Jason Economou, Charen Kepler and Dan Lang. “We are so excited to have our newest members of the Maui Family YMCA Board of Directors. Dan, Charen and Jason will help in shaping the future for the Y in the […]

Maui County hotels led Hawai’i in October 2022, with revenue per available room of $344 and average daily rate of $528. But Maui County’s occupancy was 65.1%, lowest in the state.

The Lahaina Gateway shopping center has announced new and upcoming tenants, bringing more specialty retailers to the growing West Maui community starting this November through fall 2023.

Maui Food Technology Center will provide security cameras, water, trash service, relief stations and six gazebos with picnic tables.