Latest business & startups news and updates
Hawaii's Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program is effectively retaining healthcare professionals, but its popularity has led to funding constraints, impacting the state's healthcare and business sectors. The program faces the critical need for added funding to maintain its successful contribution to Hawaii's workforce.
The Hawai‘i Leadership Forum is opening applications for the tenth cohort of the Omidyar Fellows program on June 2, 2025. This program focuses on leadership immersion, networking, and fostering positive change across the state, making it a valuable opportunity for business leaders.
The "Agriculture in the Classroom" (AIC) field trip, organized by the Maui County Farm Bureau, provides hands-on agricultural education to local youth, promoting agricultural awareness, and offering valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals. This program fosters interest in agriculture as a career path and supports the long-term sustainability of Hawaii's agricultural sector.
Spectra Fest, a collaborative event supporting Lahaina, Maui, scheduled for June 9-13, 2025, will feature arts, culture, and community engagement to drive economic growth and community revitalization. The festival is designed to boost local entrepreneurs, support the tourism sector, and promote artistic endeavors.
The Hawaiʻi Employers Council has launched the Hawaiʻi Leadership Academy, a new program offering advanced training for director-level and senior professionals in Hawaiʻi. The academy aims to equip leaders with skills in strategy, finance, agile leadership, and emerging business trends, reinforcing the need for continuous professional development within the local business community.
Hawaii's Akamai Arrival program, which digitizes agricultural declaration forms, will expand to more flights, streamlining arrival for travelers and providing business opportunities. The move addresses historical inefficiencies and prepares Hawaii for a modern visitor experience.
Pacific Business News released its annual list of Hawaii's largest engineering firms, offering a crucial resource for businesses and investors. The list includes key data on employment and billings, highlighting the state's construction and infrastructure landscape and its impact on the broader economy.
Hawaii's recent launch of digital agricultural declaration forms is proving successful, aiming to streamline arrival processes and fortify biosecurity. This move benefits both travelers and state agencies, with potential for expansion.
Picket Fence Florist, owned and managed by Sadie Akamine, has been awarded the 2025 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award, marking five decades of success in the floral industry; this highlights the value of small island businesses and their impact on the community.
The University of Hawaii has suspended faculty salary adjustments, effective immediately. This business decision, motivated by financial constraints, significantly affects the ability to attract and retain top talent, and impacts the local economy.
DBEDT announced that Hawaii's unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in April, the same as March. This stability offers initial insight into the state's economy, although deeper analysis of the labor market, industry performance, and external factors is necessary for businesses and investors.
The reduction in movie and television productions in Hawaiʻi has led to job losses and decreased spending, challenging the state's business landscape. To address this, local entrepreneurs and policymakers must work together to diversify the economic base and foster growth in related industries.
Hawaii's Department of Education is expanding its farm-to-school program, including the reintroduction of local ʻuala to school lunches, in a move designed to support local farmers, improve student health and boost food sustainability, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and local businesses.
A new report highlights the challenges facing nurses in Hawaiʻi, suggesting a critical nursing shortage that is impacting the state's healthcare system and economy, with significant implications for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Addressing this situation requires a collaborative approach to retain nurses and attract new talent, thus creating opportunities within the healthcare sector.
With hurricane season fast approaching, now is the time for Hawaii's businesses and residents to prioritize preparedness. This includes developing comprehensive emergency plans, securing properties, and ensuring business continuity to mitigate potential risks.
Hawaii's low unemployment rate presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses and job seekers. Employers must be proactive in employee attraction and retention while job seekers have a significant advantage in the competitive job market.
Straub Benioff Medical Center is undergoing a major expansion with significant financial backing, creating opportunities for Hawaii businesses in construction, healthcare services, and related sectors. This project promises to transform healthcare infrastructure and provide new avenues for entrepreneurs and investors.
Pāʻia Inn owner Michael Baskin faces a federal lawsuit alleging sexual harassment of young female employees. This case has serious implications for Maui's hospitality sector and underscores the significance of workplace conduct.
Graduation season in Hawaii sees a surge in fresh flower lei prices, impacting businesses and consumers alike. Increased demand, combined with economic factors, are driving up costs, creating challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.
Mana Up and the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation have collaborated to launch a limited-edition product line featuring locally-made goods, providing new business opportunities for Hawaii's entrepreneurs and boosting the visibility of local brands through a partnership.