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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

Golf tournament raises $65K for high school construction trade programs in Maui County

Golf tournament raises $65K for high school construction trade programs in Maui County

Some 144 golfers, students, their teachers, and volunteers attended the Construction Industry of Maui's Sept. 27 tourney at The Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course.

Stephanie SalmonsOctober 08, 2025

Hawai‘i hotels, resorts recognized in Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards

Hawai‘i hotels, resorts recognized in Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards

Hundreds of thousands of people voted between April 1 and June 30 to find the best hotels, resorts, cruise lines, spas, cities and more around the world, including the top hotels and resorts in Hawai‘i.

Stephanie SalmonsOctober 08, 2025

Mālie Organics opens new shop at International Market Place

Mālie Organics opens new shop at International Market Place

Mālie — which founder Dana Roberts says, means calm, serene, tranquil — was founded on Kaua‘i in 2004.

Stephanie SalmonsOctober 03, 2025

Maui hotel GM talks new restaurant, business

Maui hotel GM talks new restaurant, business

Serkan Hizliok, area general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, shares about The Palms Bar & Bitesʻ Sept. 16 opening — including who helped with the design/build and his favorite item on the menu — and how business has been for the new 136-room property on the shores of Kahului Bay.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 15, 2025

If can, can: AIA Honolulu celebrates 20 years of CANstruction

If can, can: AIA Honolulu celebrates 20 years of CANstruction

Build Day for the professionals will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. A Keiki Corner build is set for 10 a.m. until noon the same day. The structures will then be on display for People's Choice voting from Sept. 13 through Saturday, Sept. 20.

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 12, 2025

Hawaiian Electric looks to raise $500M through the sale of bonds

Hawaiian Electric looks to raise $500M through the sale of bonds

HECO will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance capital expenditures, as well as repay or refinance debt

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 12, 2025

LahainaTown Action Committee to host cleanup event

LahainaTown Action Committee to host cleanup event

Community volunteers from keiki to kūpuna can lend a hand at the 21st annual Lahaina Town Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 27, as part of International Coastal Cleanup Month. Tambara Garrick, director of LahainaTown Action Committee, the organizer of the event, shares what she’s most looking forward to, the overall impact and what day-of participants can expect.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 11, 2025

Hawaiian Airlines names new CEO

Hawaiian Airlines names new CEO

Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, will step into the role, effective Oct. 29.

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 11, 2025

Hawaiian Airlines, Honolulu Community College and the next generation of aircraft mechanics

Hawaiian Airlines, Honolulu Community College and the next generation of aircraft mechanics

A newly launched Maintenance Technician Development Program offers "significant financial and professional support" for selected students enrolled in the school's Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Program.

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 09, 2025

Month-long fundraiser to support Kunia farmers, businesses

Month-long fundraiser to support Kunia farmers, businesses

Nonprofits Kunia Village Development Corp. and the Hawai’i Agricultural Foundation, along with local businesses including Kō Hana Distillers and Nalo Farms, have launched the “Kōkua Kunia" campaign to support farmers in the area affected by the recent brushfires. A fundraising event is slated for Saturday, Sept. 20, at Kō Hana Distillers, which will feature a three-part rum tasting, food from various vendors in the neighborhood and a chance to meet first responders.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 09, 2025

Claire's closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including these in Hawai‘i

Claire's closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including these in Hawai‘i

A handful of the shops, often popular with tweens and teens, will remain open across the Islands.

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 05, 2025

Kailua’s Gnarwall Surf Shop rides final wave

Kailua’s Gnarwall Surf Shop rides final wave

The Oʻahu-based business that opened six years ago with a mission to empower local shapers, while supporting surfers at every level, plans to close shop by the end of this month. Surfer turned business owner John Ingari shares insights about the industry, what heʻll miss most about serving the community and whatʻs next.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 29, 2025

Ryan Emmons and the passion behind Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages

Ryan Emmons and the passion behind Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages

The co-founder and CEO says the Hilo-based company was founded on a simple idea that the world doesn't need another beverage company or bottled water company, but rather a "catalyst for change."

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 23, 2025

Chamber event will showcase careers at Kona Brewing Co.

Chamber event will showcase careers at Kona Brewing Co.

A workforce open house hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce — is open to early- to mid-career professionals 21-plus, and will highlight careers in Hawai‘i's brewing industry such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 21, 2025

North Shore Scout camp reenvisioned for community use

North Shore Scout camp reenvisioned for community use

The planned improvements to Camp Pupukea aim to serve scouts, business and nonprofit organizations and community groups, as well as those seeking refuge during natural disasters, per Scouting America, Aloha Council.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 20, 2025

Canadian restaurant chain set to open its first Hawai‘i location

Canadian restaurant chain set to open its first Hawai‘i location

Earls Kitchen + Bar will open in Waikīkī in October. In the meantime, the restaurant is looking to fill a lot of jobs.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 13, 2025

Meant to BE: This coffee trailer is worth the drive to West Oʻahu

Meant to BE: This coffee trailer is worth the drive to West Oʻahu

BE. owners Cody and Kaitie Miyashiro-Carvalho created their business to be a space where “kamaʻaina and kanaka can find BElonging.” Plus — find out what they’re bringing to this year’s Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 12, 2025

Conservation easement protects 74 acres of Hilo farmland

Conservation easement protects 74 acres of Hilo farmland

The Pu‘u‘eo Mauka conservation easement protects about 74.3 acres of land along the Wailuku River and Rainbow Falls that the Keolanui family, co-founders of O.K Farms, have cared for and stewarded for more than 20 years.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 11, 2025

Entrepreneurship and Hawai‘i Pacific University

Entrepreneurship and Hawai‘i Pacific University

As Amy Nguyen-Chyung settles into her new job as dean of Hawai‘i Pacific University's College of Business, HPU also is working to support innovation and entrepreneurship across its campus thanks in part to a recent gift from philanthropist and entrepreneur John Scarpa. Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Nguyen-Chyung about her new role, entrepreneurship in Hawai‘i and the new entrepreneurial pathway.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 11, 2025

Restauranteurs talk rebuilding and expanding two years after Maui wildfires

Restauranteurs talk rebuilding and expanding two years after Maui wildfires

Qiana and Michele Di Bari are the restauranteurs behind Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina, which was lost in the 2023 wildfires and reopened earlier this year, returning to Lahaina. They also recently opened Via! by Sale Pepe, a "fast casual twist" to the Italian flavors made popular at its sister restaurant. Aloha State Daily recently spoke with the Di Baris ahead of the second anniversary of the fire to talk about their experience during the tragedy, their rebuilding — and their newest endeavor.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 08, 2025

Dipped by Dee is bringing signature dipped delights to Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

Dipped by Dee is bringing signature dipped delights to Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

Business owner Daniela Fry gives us an update on her second store in Las Vegas, the newest dipped treats, and what to expect at the 31st annual Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 08, 2025

Tickets on sale for Made in Hawai‘i Festival

Tickets on sale for Made in Hawai‘i Festival

Set for Aug. 15 to 17 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, the festival will showcase more than 700 local artisans, makers and entrepreneurs, and offer shoppers thousands of locally made products.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 04, 2025

Airlines talk flight impacts during tsunami threat

Airlines talk flight impacts during tsunami threat

Evacuation orders on July 29 snarled traffic in Honolulu and some fliers were grounded — along with the planes — at the state's airports as flights were canceled.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 02, 2025

Alaska Air Group names Honolulu leadership team

Alaska Air Group names Honolulu leadership team

The newly announced leadership team will oversee Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines combined operations in Hawai‘i — once the carriers receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 01, 2025

Peter Dames: 'Servco’s strength has always been adaptability'

Peter Dames: 'Servco’s strength has always been adaptability'

Aloha State Daily recently caught up with Dames, who became president and CEO of Servco Pacific Inc. in late 2023, to talk about his leadership role, the challenges the company currently faces, what's on the horizon — and more.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 15, 2025

What's up with LongHorn Steakhouse?

What's up with LongHorn Steakhouse?

A sign in Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood has been announcing for a while now that the restaurant is coming soon — but how soon? Aloha State Daily was curious, so we asked.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 15, 2025

Hawai‘i Leadership Forum expands its Leaders Lab to Neighbor Islands

Hawai‘i Leadership Forum expands its Leaders Lab to Neighbor Islands

The immersive one-day labs will be held Oct. 28 on Kaua‘i; Nov. 7 on Maui; and Dec. 3, on Hawai‘i Island. You have until noon Friday, Aug. 1, to apply.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 14, 2025

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