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
Why these business owners wanted to work with Mana Up
Aloha State Daily attended the June 10 launch of the business accelerator's Cohort 10 and spoke to a few of the participating small business owners.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 12, 2025
JL Capital acquires an ownership stake in Tournet Hawai‘i
Find out what the move means for the real estate and private equity firm in the short- and long-term.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 11, 2025
Waimea-based custom cowboy hat company returns to Oʻahu this week
The Uihā Hat Bar pop-up shop at Ka Makana Aliʻi will be back starting Thursday. Designer and owner Chaz Lindsey Kamauu created the brand to honor his family’s paniolo legacy, while also giving customers an experience that speaks to their own.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 11, 2025
Luxury Waikīkī hotel unveils $82M renovation
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach, which opened in 2016, has refreshed the guest rooms in its ‘Ewa Tower, front desk and both infinity pools; recently debuted The Ritz-Carlton Suite Collection on its highest floors, and has introduced a a new dining concept.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 10, 2025
Meet the next generation of leadership at PBR Hawaiʻi
Founded by Frank Brandt, PBR Hawai’i and Associates Inc. has provided professional landscape, architectural and community planning services statewide and in the Pacific for more than 55 years. Since the beginning of the year, the company has promoted several employees from within, including Kimi Yuen, serving as president and chairperson, and its two new executive vice presidents.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 09, 2025
Relationships are the reason this Honolulu-based financial advisor loves her job
When Michelle Kreis joined Northwestern Mutual as an assistant in 2008 while living in Oregon, her passion for financial planning grew. Five years after that, she moved back home to Hawai’i and continues to help small businesses and individuals from its local office.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 06, 2025
Mom from Mānoa grows alohawear company for ʻohana
Guava Jammies turns one this month. Small business owner Steffy Simms shares her story as a self-taught designer with an eye for color and heart for Hawaiʻi-made products. She also works full-time as a teacher and has a second child on the way.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 06, 2025
Mana Up's Meli James says small businesses are the 'core and backbone' of Hawai‘i
James, who co-founded the business accelerator and venture fund with Brittany Heyd, tells ASD more about the role small businesses play in Hawai‘i, the challenges they face, what more can be done to support the state's entrepreneurs and the lessons she's learned since starting Mana Up.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 05, 2025
Mana Up announces newest cohort
These 10 businesses will go through a six-month accelerator program focused on helping them scale their business.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 05, 2025
Zippy's Restaurants is using technology to bring kama‘āina home
The local favorite's new tech developments are creating jobs for kama‘āina to return to the Islands.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 05, 2025
Hotel legends launch high-powered hospitality group
Elliot Mills and Jerry Gibson have spent decades working in Hawai‘i's hospitality sector, leading some of the state's largest hospitality operations. They've now teamed up to launch Hawai‘i Hospitality Group, a new asset management firm.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 04, 2025
Historic tour boat Vida Mia delivers Old Hawai‘i charm
Aloha State Daily joined a coffee cruise May 30, where we spoke with Brynn Rovito, owner of the nearly 100-year-old classic motor yacht about its history — and how business is going nearly five years after she acquired the boat.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 03, 2025
Outreach team provides medical, social services to homeless in Waikīkī
The joint effort includes members of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District and its Safe and Sound Waikīkī program, the Institute for Human Services, Waikīkī Health and other business partners. They walk Waikīkī every Wednesday, meeting people where they're at. This week, ASD tagged along to see their work firsthand.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 30, 2025
Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams
The most recent episode of the ongoing eruption drew thousands of visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park over the weekend.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 28, 2025
Aloha Ambassadors make measurable improvements in Waikīkī
Services are provided by the Waikīkī Business Improvement District's Aloha Ambassadors as part of Clean and Safe programs.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 23, 2025
What's with the cranes atop First Hawaiian Center?
Aloha State Daily was curious, so we asked officials with First Hawaiian Bank what's going on.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 22, 2025
Pickles at Forté continues to draw players, expands offerings
The first air conditioned, indoor pickleball and social club in Downtown Honolulu opened earlier this year in the space formerly occupied by Walmart.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025
Hawai‘i Made Conference gives local businesses opportunity to connect, learn
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said more than 200 entrepreneurs, manufacturers and industry professionals attended the day-long conference on Tuesday. Among those who attended were Steve and Ruiko Miller, owners of Sweet Brown Hawai‘i caramels.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025
New collection reimagines the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku
Mana Up and The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation partnered on a limited-edition collaboration with seven Hawai‘i-based companies which offer exclusive products that pay homage to the waterman.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025
Mainland financial services firm invests $10M in new Hawai‘i loan program
The new initiative from Hawai‘i Community Lending will offer zero-down mortgages to Native Hawaiians on Hawaiian Home Lands.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 19, 2025
The Maui Cookie Lady among Hawai‘i businesses nominated for USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
The awards rank the 10 best in several travel and lifestyle categories, including Best Cookie Shop.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 14, 2025
Dave & Buster’s liquidation sale from former Ward Village spot happening now
You have a week to browse and bid on the biz’s furniture, equipment and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 14, 2025
Here's how the Construction Industry of Maui is supporting students
CIM recently gave tens of thousands of dollars in grants to construction vocational programs in Maui County high schools and will soon award three $25,000 scholarships to Maui students as part of an annual scholarship program.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 14, 2025
Five takeaways from UHERO's Q2 forecast
Economists say Hawai‘i is headed for 'mild recession.' Here's what that means for you.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 13, 2025