Maui Business

Speaker Saiki reports that “the House will advance legislation to increase the hourly minimum wage to $18, increase the food tax credit, and make the Earned Income Tax Credit refundable and permanent.”

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan have committed $50 million over seven years to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology for the support of research groups working to restore Hawaiʻi’s ocean health. 

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate was named a “Producer of Excellence” and given the Gold Award in the Asia-Pacific Region in the International 2021 Cocoa of Excellence Awards, announced virtually from Rome, Italy, on Dec. 16.

The first Money Matters Adult Financial Literacy Workshop series of the new year, offered by Maui Economic Opportunityʻs Business Development Center, will be held 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 19 and 20.

Turo owners on Maui struggle as car rental prices dropped in 2021.

Temporary interisland shipping disruptions are expected for small container or palletized shipping as a result of COVID-19 related worker impacts at the Young Brothers shipyard on Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed.

Chick-fil-A pushed back the tentative opening for its $3.87 million Kahului restaurant — the first of at least four locations slated for the Aloha State. Initially scheduled to open late spring, a news release today said the Central Maui restaurant is now set to open mid-2022. The release also announced the names of four operators chosen to helm the Hawaii restaurants. Sean Whaley, of San Bernardino, Calif., was named the franchise operator for Kahului.

The resolution congratulates T Komoda Store & Bakery on its 105th anniversary, serving Maui since 1916.

All Access Ortho Maui (AAOM), under the leadership of Dr. Gary “Kiki” Takashiro Blum, opened Dec. 13 to provide immediate, specialized care for injuries that are not severe enough to merit care at a trauma center. No appointment is necessary, and the clinic is open to all.

Marco A. Abbruzzese will join Bank of Hawaiʻi on Jan. 10 as Vice Chair and Senior Executive Director of Wealth Management and he will serve on the bank’s Executive Committee.

After a couple years of catering and home deliveries, Crema Maui, a boutique espresso bar, recently opened its first location in Pukalani. Owner Andrea Riggins, along with partner, Asher Boyle, launched the spot in September — and it’s already generating quite the buzz.

AARP Hawai‘i  recognized AARP volunteer leader and veterans advocate Vicki Franco with the Andrus Award for Community Service, the organization’s most prestigious state volunteer award for community service. 

Maui Economic Opportunityʻs Youth Servicesʻ fifth annual gift wrapping event raised $863 in donations on Dec. 22, 2021.

Every year, Kaiser Permanente partners with community organizations across the state that are working to address pressing socioeconomic issues impacting Hawaiʻi residents. In 2021, Kaiser Permanente provided $3.8 million in grants to 50 community organizations that provided services to improve social determinants to good health and well-being.

The Alzheimer’s Association on Maui has been selected as the beneficiary of the Ohana Fuels’ ‘Fuel up. Do good’ program in 2022.

While Christmas 2021 is now passed, the Holiday Food Drive at Pukalani Terrace Center continues through Dec. 31.

Bank of Hawaiʻi is making leadership changes in its Commercial Banking Division with the retirement on Jan. 13 of Vice Chair and Chief Commercial Officer Wayne Y. Hamano after 45 years of service.

Brenda Rego, PGA is retiring at the end of this month as head golf professional at the Wailea Blue Course but plans to continue coaching junior golfers.

Hawai‘i residents can book a staycation at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali with the resort’s limited New Year’s Kama‘āina deal, available to book now for a limited time. Valid for stays Dec. 30, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022, the package includes rates starting at $299 and includes a $50 resort credit.

This holiday season, Hawaiian Electric donated $141,500 to more than a dozen local nonprofit groups and educational organizations that contribute to the cultural enrichment, education and health and welfare of Hawaiʻi keiki and families across the state.