#Maui Hotel and Lodging Association

The scholarships were distributed through three scholarship programs: the UH Maui College Hospitality and Culinary Program, the Academy of Hospitality (AOHT) Program and the MHLA Member Program.

More than 500 guests gathered at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua last weekend for the 2025 ʻAipono Restaurant Awards, recognizing top chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals across the island.

Maui’s visitor industry invites Maui County students of high school and post-high school to apply for scholarship opportunities this April. 

Following a comprehensive search, Maui Food Bank has named Lisa Paulson as chief executive officer, effective Aug. 19, 2024. The appointment comes at a critical time as the organization addresses a 65% surge in food insecurity needs due to the recent Maui wildfires.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association has distributed a total of $1,559,449 to 59 nonprofit beneficiaries of the Maui County Charity Walk.  

The Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair takes place today, Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at War Memorial Special Events Field.  This year at AgFest, Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) honors the legacy of “Chinese in Agriculture on Maui.” The Wo Hing Society presents this free special exhibit from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., outlining the history and lasting impact of Chinese immigrants and settlers. The Wo Hing Society Hall stood in historic Lahaina Town as a symbol of Chinese culture for more than a century before it was destroyed in the fires.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council conducts ocean water testing at over 30 locations in Maui Nui, including seven in Lahaina’s fire-impacted zones. The organization regularly monitors the health of local coral reefs and since 2021, has been assisting properties to transition away from harmful synthetic landscaping products as part of its Reef Friendly Landscaping Certification program.

The pin, named after the Hawaiian phrase “Mālama Maui,” signifying “Caring for Maui,” hopes to offer solace to residents while providing guidance for visitors. Its fundamental purpose is to establish a supportive environment for residents by offering a visual cue to visitors, signifying the importance of refraining from inquiring about the experiences of Maui residents, thus respecting their privacy.

“Maui nonprofits are a needed support system for our communities,” says Lisa Paulson, Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “With the hardships of the recent wildfires, it was crucial to make this hard-earned money available to them immediately.”

This summer, the Visitor Industry joined forces with The Salvation Army’s Adopt a Backpack Campaign to supply Maui’s keiki in need with school supplies for the upcoming school year. MHLA hotel properties and allied members successfully delivered the supplies requested in addition to $5,000 of monetary donations.

The Visitor Industry and Maui Hotel & Lodging Association responded to requests from Maui County and the American Red Cross for emergency assistance items for the communities of Kīpahulu and Kaupō. The rockslide occurrence on May 11 left these areas inaccessible and in need of life-saving equipment during times when emergency services response is delayed.

This past week, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association awarded a total of $61,500 in scholarships to Maui high school and college students.  Twenty-four outstanding individuals were awarded through three scholarship programs: the UH Maui College Hospitality and Culinary Program, the Academy of Hospitality program and the MHLA Member Program. 

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s Spring Nā Kupuna appreciation event successfully delivered fresh tropical bouquets along with hotel prepared meals to more than 500 homebound seniors of Maui last week.

Hawai’i State Legislature is considering measures SB 304 and HB 1162 to establish a new green fee. Money generated would then go toward conservation work across the state. Next for the proposal is a state Senate floor vote Tuesday. If it gets the green light, the plan moves to the state House.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association distributed 16,800 pounds of rice throughout Maui County this November as part of its 15th annual Rice for the Holidays event.

The Maui County Council passed Bill 159 that would end the temporary hotel moratorium, prohibit camper van usage as tourist lodging and continue the cap on transient vacation rentals.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s 25th Annual “Excellence in Education presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits” golf tournament raised $40,000 to support youth scholarships.

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Kaunoa Senior Services program partnered with the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association to deliver 700 free meals and gifts to kūpuna, Friday.

Roady and Kahalehau will oversee the Charity Walks held on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022.

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association partners with Maui Food Bank in a Toiletry Drive taking place through March 25.