Maui Business

Hawai’i’s economy is showing sunnier signs, but risks of higher inflation and COVID-19 surprises are looming, according to the newest report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization. arrivals, and Maui hotels have drawn the highest room rates in the state and in the county’s history.  

Hawaiian Airlines brings back nonstop service between Oakland and Kona on Island Hawai‘i, and is adding a second daily flight between San Francisco and Honolulu.

result of this investment, an additional 30,000 locations throughout the state now have access to FTTP broadband service.

More Maui County homes were purchased by out-of-state buyers last year than in recent years, according to new state data. 

The state’s economic forecast is slightly better than predicted, and Maui County saw the highest percentage increase of jobs in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to a recent state report. 

T-Mobile is officially open at the Lahaina Gateway center in West Maui, and will celebrate their grand opening on Sunday, March 6. This opening marks the first Lahaina location.

The program is part of the American Rescue Plan to assist small businesses in Maui County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Blue Hawaiian Activities, and LifeSave KuPono partnered with the Maui Food Bank to pack more than 500 food boxes for kūpuna who reside at Hale Mahaolu Senior Residences on Maui, Moloka’i and Lāna’i. 

Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union recently donated nearly $5,500 to The Salvation Army through its holiday Angel Tree Campaign. Approximately $3,000 was raised through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree online campaign, and an additional $2,500 was donated by Hawaiʻi State FCU through a check donation.

Mālama Maui Nui announced the selection of Maui resident Kapua Chang as the organization’s new Treasurer on its Board of Directors.

T S Restaurants donated $8,000 to Hawaiʻi Foodbank in support of the organization’s mission to end hunger in Hawaiʻi. The funds were raised through T S Restaurants’ eight Hawaiʻi locations as part of a Thanksgiving promotion.

Maui County’s Business Development Center director David Daly discussed programs about financial literacy and business planning to a few residents at the emergency shelter Wahi Ho‘omalu ‘O Wailuku.

In Kahului, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gas is $4.67 as oil prices continue rising with the Russian’s escalation of war in Ukraine with crude oil prices rising to more than $100 a barrel, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch.

JLL, a Fortune 500 firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, promoted Brian Yano to vice president, regional area manager of its retail open-air in Hawaiʻi.

Krank Cycles is holding a grand opening March 5 for its second bike shop, located at 270 Dairy Road in Kahului.

Bank of Hawai‘i will invest approximately $400,000 to address community needs, including the planting of 6,500 trees, as part of its yearlong 125th anniversary celebration.

California’s ASAP Holdings recently acquired longstanding Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului and said it will be converted to an “upscale Hilton hotel.”

Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Center’s next series of the Core Four Business Planning Course will be starting Tuesday, March 1. All classes will be held online via the Zoom platform. 

When severe drought puts Upcountry under water restrictions — looking down the hill at South Maui’s green hotel lawns can spark frustration for residents. “It seems like the resort areas are getting preferential treatment and the rich people in Wailea can water their lawns without any kind of problems,” Norman Franco, county Board of Water Supply member, said during a meeting last week. “Of course, we know that they have a different water system. But If we intend to go on a more conservative approach on the use of water, it shouldn’t matter where the water is coming from, but how it’s used and being more fair in the . . . regulations.” 

Henrietta Chong of Kula Catholic Community and attorney Peter Horovitz were named Volunteers of the Year at the 36th Maui Economic Opportunity Volunteer Celebration on Monday, Feb. 14.