Hilo is experiencing a tourism resurgence with the announcement of its first mainland nonstop flights in years, set to launch to Las Vegas in August 2026. This move comes as the ongoing eruptions of Kilauea continue to captivate global attention, presenting significant opportunities for Big Island entrepreneurs and investors.
A recent survey reveals that Kona and Kahului airports in Hawaii have the highest car rental rates in the United States, with Lihue also ranking among the most expensive. This poses significant challenges for Hawaii's tourism industry, potentially impacting visitor spending and the profitability of related businesses.
Southwest Airlines is set to launch a new, nonstop route connecting Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). This new service, commencing August 6th, 2026, promises to strengthen ties between the Big Island and the mainland, offering increased convenience for travelers and potential economic benefits for Hawaii.
Over 150 employees at the Royal Kona Resort, including various staff like housekeepers, maintenance personnel, and cooks, initiated a one-day strike, disrupting operations at the popular Big Island destination. This action highlights ongoing labor disputes within Hawaii's hotel industry, potentially impacting local tourism and business costs.
The future of Kauai Coffee, Hawaii's largest coffee farm, is in question as its lease on 3,100 acres of prime Kauai land nears expiration. This situation presents significant implications for the local economy, touching on tourism, agriculture, and investment.
The future of the iconic Kauai Coffee Company, the largest coffee farm in the United States, hangs in the balance as its land lease nears expiration in March 2026. This situation presents both challenges and opportunities for Kauai's economy and the state's agricultural industry, affecting tourism, local businesses, and potential investors.
The Art Source, a diversified company, has achieved remarkable success by performing over 80% of its production on O‘ahu. This article delves into their growth strategy, highlighting how they've maintained local production and what lessons other Hawaii-based businesses can learn.
Pacific Business News (PBN) has unveiled the 28 honorees for its prestigious Women Who Mean Business awards, recognizing exceptional female leaders across various sectors in Hawaii, including healthcare, hospitality, and finance. The awards celebrate these women's remarkable contributions to both business success and community betterment.
The Aloha Stadium Authority has appointed Michael Yadao, a figure with a strong construction background, as its deputy manager. This appointment comes as the authority prepares for the dismantling and redevelopment of the Aloha Stadium in Halawa, under the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) initiative.
The Robinson family, the largest private landowner on Kauaʻi, is quietly spearheading a project to convert the former Olokele sugar mill into an industrial park on the island's Westside. This venture represents a significant real estate development and has the potential to reshape the local business landscape, offering new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.
Maui County has finalized a significant land acquisition in Lahaina, encompassing 162 acres. This strategic move is expected to bolster flood control, establish new evacuation routes, and facilitate the rebuilding of essential infrastructure, including a homeless shelter destroyed in the 2023 wildfires.
In an urgent op-ed, Jonathan Helton of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi is calling on the Maui County Council to expand a proposed bill that would waive height restrictions for properties destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fires. Helton argues that the current bill's limited scope could hinder recovery efforts for many affected property owners.
Trinity Investments, a Hawaii-based real estate investment firm, continues its global expansion with the purchase of The Hoxton, Poblenou in Barcelona. This marks Trinity's third European hotel acquisition since opening its London office, signaling aggressive growth in the hospitality sector.
The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a Financial Ally Goal Achiever in the Better Buildings & Better Plants Initiative, highlighting its commitment to sustainable financing. This recognition underscores the state's dedication to clean energy and provides opportunities for local businesses and investors.
A recent letter to the editor suggests that Hawaii's reliance on state funding, as opposed to private contributions, is hindering the University of Hawaii's football program from attracting wealthy sponsors. This analysis, based on the letter and related news, explores the potential business implications of this funding model for the university and its stakeholders.
In a landmark deal, Alexander & Baldwin, a cornerstone of Hawai'i's commercial real estate sector, is set to be acquired by a joint venture, marking a significant shift in the state's business environment. This $2.3 billion, all-cash transaction signals new opportunities for Hawai'i’s investors, while also potentially altering the landscape for local entrepreneurs.
A new law in Hawaii is holding property owners accountable for illegal gambling activities, as evidenced by the recent charges against four siblings. This shift in legal responsibility aims to curb the proliferation of illegal game rooms that have plagued the islands.
The Trump administration, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, is considering halting federal funding for programs supporting Native Hawaiian higher education. This potential shift, citing concerns over "race-based conditions," has raised alarms within the Hawaiian educational community and among business stakeholders who support it.
President Trump's recent executive order to reclassify marijuana at the federal level, effectively recognizing its medical uses, stands to reshape Hawaii's medical cannabis industry. This move could spark new opportunities for entrepreneurs, impact investment strategies, and necessitate adjustments to existing state regulations.
In a continuing saga of the Red Hill fuel leak case, a U.S. District Court judge has ordered the federal government to pay over $160,000 in attorneys' fees to the plaintiffs. This decision comes on the heels of a nearly $600,000 judgment awarded in September, and as the government appeals the initial decision.
The ongoing legal battle between Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) over the troubled Skyline rail project represents a critical juncture for Honolulu's infrastructure and financial future. The lawsuit's outcome will have profound implications for the city's ability to manage large-scale projects and its relationship with key contractors.
A Tornado Warning was issued for the island of Niʻihau on the morning of December 19, 2025, according to a report from [KHON2](https://www.khon2.com/kauai-news/nws-issues-tornado-warning-for-ni%ca%bbihau/). This rare weather event presents potential challenges for the island's limited infrastructure and any businesses operating there.
Hitachi Rail Honolulu Joint Venture (HRH) has filed a lawsuit against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), seeking approximately $320 million in damages due to alleged mismanagement and delays in the Honolulu rail project. This legal action, filed in Oahu's First Circuit Court, highlights the ongoing challenges facing the $10 billion Skyline project and raises concerns for local businesses and investors.
Hawaiian Electric is investing nearly $2 billion over the next three years in projects aimed at reducing wildfire risk, enhancing grid resilience, and developing new firm power generation. This significant financial commitment presents both opportunities and challenges for Hawaii's entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals across various sectors.
Hawaiian Electric is set to begin construction of Maui's first standalone load-shifting battery energy storage system (BESS) in January as part of its ongoing efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. This Waena BESS project will play a crucial role in enabling the retirement of aging fossil fuel-powered generating units at the Kahului Power Plant.
Maui Land & Pineapple Co. has been fined by the state for inadequate stream flows, highlighting the ongoing water management challenges in West Maui. The fine, however, will be used for system improvements with community input, addressing the needs of farmers, golf courses, and residents amidst a backdrop of increasing water scarcity and legal battles.
Native Hawaiian-led nonprofit ʻĀina Momona is spearheading a community-driven initiative to develop climate solutions across Hawaiʻi, inviting residents to participate in a public survey. This effort aims to empower local communities and create sustainable strategies for the islands' future in the face of climate change, with potential impacts on local businesses and investment.
Maui County is poised to experience a wetter-than-average wet season, offering a much-needed reprieve from persistent drought conditions. According to the National Weather Service, the emerging La Niña pattern is expected to bring increased rainfall through early 2026, potentially easing the strain on local businesses and resources.
