Business & Tourism
Hawai‘i’s economy, in all its complexities.
What do we talk about when we talk about ‘the economy’ in the Islands? We talk about the cost of living, the cost of doing business, what it takes to make Hawai‘i a place where people can succeed, where they can build a career or a business and afford to raise a family. We cover such issues as Hawai‘i’s efforts to maintain a strong, sustainable tourism industry, but also its attempts diversify the economy. We look at everything from small business success stories to major players such as Hawaiian Airlines and the hotel industry.
News
Tiki's Grill & Bar expands to Japan
Tiki's Tokyo — a partnership between Tiki's Grill & Bar and Tiki's SHIBUYA Limited Liability Partnership — will open April 25. It's the restaurant's first location outside of the Islands.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 11, 2025
RevoluSun: Homeowners beware of ‘misleading’ sales tactics by Mainland solar companies
RevoluSun’s Eric Carlson shares tips for individuals who may be targeted by door-to-door scammers. “If it feels off, it probably is,” he said in an interview with Aloha State Daily.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 09, 2025
High school students from across Hawai‘i compete in Maritime Welding Competition
Organizers said the goal of the event was to raise awareness of local opportunities for "well-paying careers in in maritime manufacturing, such as welding, machining and logistics," and for local companies to share specific career opportunities available within the community.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 08, 2025
Brother-sister duo from O‘ahu bring L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to the Big Apple
Franchisees Henry and Sephra Engel already have locations in Manhattan's Lower East Side and East Harlem but opened their third restaurant in Brooklyn on March 20.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 04, 2025
Community Voices: We can do more to help Hawai‘i businesses rebound
Hawai‘i’s anemic economic growth — the second slowest in the country — should be a sign that we haven’t done enough to help local business rebound since the Covid-19 lockdowns. If anything, it seems we’re doing the opposite. The major tax hikes that are still alive in the current legislative session all promise to be significant burdens on local businesses.
Keliʻi Akina & Ph.D.April 04, 2025
Pipikaula Corner: Did stocks just "plunge" and "tumble" after tariff announcement?
Here's an important skill to develop when decoding the news put in front of you — look at the scale. Now let's walk through today's headlines about the stock market, including taking a look at some of Hawai‘i's publicly traded companies.
A. Kam NapierApril 03, 2025
Longtime Hawaii attorney Gerald Clay wants his legacy to be ‘Partnering’
“Partnering", a collaborative approach designed to help groups become more effective, is an alternative to the legal system’s traditional dispute resolution because it promotes dispute prevention among stakeholders, says Clay, who is a trained facilitator. He recently wrote an article for the Hawai’i Bar Journal about why he launched Clay Partnering LLC, a company that aims to positively impact local businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and beyond.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 02, 2025
Kīlauea's eruption has paused again
There have been 15 episodes of "lava fountaining" separated by pauses in activity since the current eruption began on Dec. 23, 2024. The latest episode ended Wednesday.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 28, 2025
Local staffing firm supports annual fundraising event, volunteerism
What to expect from Aloha United Way’s Women United “Chocolate, Champagne & Couture For-A-Cause," and why ALTRES looks forward to this event every year.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 22, 2025
From Waipahu to Fort Street Mall, this new sober living store and bar prepares to open in Downtown Honolulu
Viper Heart, owner of Viper’s SanctuarNII, took over Waipahu-based Nii Superette last year after her friend and store owner Stephen Nii died suddenly. Heart, who is in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, hopes to promote healing in the new space, which officially opens April 1. Its offerings include spiritual services and community events complete with hand-crafted mocktails, herbal teas and mushroom coffee, crystals, chicken feet and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 15, 2025
Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i wants kama‘āina to 'Come Home'
The job placement program connects former residents who have moved to the Mainland to engineering job opportunities in the Islands.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 12, 2025
Hawai‘i distillery sues over Jones Act
The legislation requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that are built in the U.S., and are owned and crewed by U.S. citizens. ASD spoke with the attorney representing the Hawai‘i-based business that says the Jones Act puts the distillery at a disadvantage.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 05, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague talks merger, future plans
Aloha State Daily sat down with Sprague Monday, March 3, at the Hawaiian Airlines headquarters in Honolulu to talk more about what's in store for the airline.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 04, 2025
Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i leader Harry Saunders will retire, new president named
Saunders, who joined the company in 1975 and has led its Hawai‘i operations since 2001, will be succeeded by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Garret Matsunami.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 27, 2025
First Cabin International Hawai‘i to open luxury capsule hotel in Waikīkī
Located on the 14th floor of Waikīkī Business Plaza, at 2770 Kalākaua Ave., the hotel will offer four first-class cabins with a double bed, nine business-class cabins with a single-size bed and 90 premium economy cabins with a single-size bed.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 25, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague offers updates
Here's what he had to say about expanded services and frequent flyer programs.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 22, 2025
West O‘ahu redevelopment project takes 'major step' forward
Plans to redevelop a property that currently houses Paradise Cove Lū‘au are advancing. A final environmental impact statement for the project was published last month.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 21, 2025
Diamond Head State Monument to temporarily close in March, April
Contractors will work to stabilize loose rocks around the Kāhala Tunnel as part of a rockfall mitigation project underway.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 20, 2025
Hawaiʻi’s Vivia Cares expands to Washington
Executive Director Racheal Lynch on bringing a senior care model developed in Honolulu to Olympia. She shares hiring tips and more about her focus on ‘keeping the aloha mentality.’
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 20, 2025
Vibe turns 5, celebrates by giving $5,000 worth of free marketing services to one local nonprofit
In 2020, founder and CEO Erica Mau-Schank branched out from her family’s business to create her own Hawaiʻi-based marketing agency, which caters to more than 30 small- to medium-sized companies and nonprofits. Today, her mission to boost business, while increasing community impact, continues.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 19, 2025
Trevor Abarzua on keeping Waikīkī clean and safe
The head of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District and community partners have been reducing homelessness and beautifying the neighborhood.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 15, 2025
Family business based in ‘Ewa Beach creates clothing that captures ‘working with aloha’
For Shane and Corry Ahlo, the owners of Ahlo’s Apparel, family and faith are what drive their passion to promote the aloha spirit in work environments. In addition to their full-time jobs in construction and as parents, the couple creates HI-Vis safety aloha shirts and other items, for those who want to rep Hawaiʻi wherever they are.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 14, 2025
Bronson Chang, co-founder of Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, reflects on closing the ‘Āina Haina shave ice shop and living Pure Aloha
“It’s a time to honor and celebrate the legacy of HOPA with the people who made it special,” Bronson said. “This is why we were so determined, never threw in the towel for so many decades, even when I think most would have.”
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 13, 2025
Solomon Kaimimoku connects culture and community in Waikīkī
Kaimimoku became general manager of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District’s Aloha Ambassador program last August.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 13, 2025