Hawaii Business Weekly: Navigating Recovery, Investment, and Transformation
Aloha, business leaders! This week in Hawaii, the economic winds are blowing with a mix of challenges and opportunities. Maui is at a crossroads, grappling with a controversial vacation rental phase-out and its post-fire recovery. Coupled with this is the State's determined pivot toward recovery, including a rapid-hiring recruitment event. While some policies, such as HECO's scrapped pricing scheme, have brought relief, it underscores the need to quickly move to secure Hawaii’s food and energy independence to support sustainable growth and recovery.
Top Headlines Of The Week In Each Category
Tourism & Hospitality
This Isn’t Just A Ban. It’s Maui’s Breaking Point.
The proposed vacation rental ban in Maui has ignited a fierce debate, exposing deep divisions between residents and rental owners, and threatening to reshape the island's economy and visitor experience.
Read full article →Hawaiian Airlines' Strategic New Route: A Potential Game Changer for Hawaii?
A potential new widebody route by Hawaiian Airlines could signal a significant strategic shift for the airline, impacting tourism and investment in Hawaii’s economy. The airline's recent focus on routes suggests a move that could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape for Hawaii-bound travel.
Read full article →Business & Startups
Maui Gears Up: State to Host Rapid-Hiring Recruitment Event with 300 Job Openings
The State of Hawaiʻi is hosting a rapid-hiring recruitment event on July 10, 2025, in Wailuku, Maui, with 300 job openings that will benefit both job seekers and local businesses.
Read full article →Hawaiʻi keiki face mounting economic strain: State ranks among worst for housing stability as parental employment security declines
The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book reveals that Hawaiʻi faces growing economic strain, particularly for children, with high housing costs and job instability posing significant challenges to families and the state's economy. These findings impact Hawaii's businesses, workforce, and overall economic health.
Read full article →Real-Estate & Development
Maui Grapples With Short-Term Rental Phase-Out: A Battle for Housing and the Future of the Island
Maui is considering a plan to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing to alleviate the affordable housing crisis, sparking heated debate among residents, investors, and the tourism industry. The proposal aims to address the significant housing shortage by potentially freeing up water resources and shifting investment dynamics, but faces considerable opposition and legal challenges.
Read full article →Kapolei to Build 750 Affordable Rental Units, Boosting Housing Supply
Kapolei is set to add 750 affordable rental units, addressing Oahu's housing shortage and creating opportunities for real estate investors and construction firms. This initiative mirrors successful projects and forms part of broader efforts to increase affordable housing throughout Oahu.
Read full article →Finance & Investment
Kauai's New $150M Hilton Hotel Marks Significant Investment Milestone
A new $150 million Hilton hotel on Kauai, financed significantly by foreign investors, marks a major investment milestone, reinforcing confidence in Hawaii's tourism sector's growth and recovery.
Read full article →Lanai Owner Larry Ellison Now Wealthier Than Zuckerberg, Bezos, Boosting Hawaii Investment Prospects
Following a surge in Oracle's stock value, Larry Ellison briefly surpassed Jeff Bezos to become the world's second-richest person, presenting significant implications for Hawaii, particularly due to his ownership of Lanai. This shift will impact local investment and business landscape.
Read full article →Policy & Regulation
Maui Council to Debate Controversial Vacation Rental Phase-Out Bill on June 9th
Maui's County Council will hold a public hearing on June 9th to discuss Mayor Bissen's bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals, a move that could reshape the island's housing market and tourism sector. The decision will have far-reaching implications for investors, business owners, and residents as the island grapples with a housing crisis.
Read full article →Maui's $1.56B Budget: A New Direction for Business and Investment
Mayor Bissen's signing of the $1.56 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 signals a significant shift in Maui's business landscape, prioritizing kamaʻāina housing, recovery efforts, and community well-being. This move presents opportunities but also underscores the need for alignment with the County's priorities.
Read full article →Infrastructure & Transportation
Hawaii Takes Steps to Bridge the Digital Divide with New Broadband Initiatives
Lt. Gov. Luke signed a bill to establish a Broadband Office and expand the Digital Navigator program, aiming to bridge the digital divide in Hawaiʻi by improving internet access and digital literacy. This initiative, combined with significant private investments, will significantly impact businesses and residents across the state.
Read full article →Honolulu Rail Project Secures Federal Funding, Boosting Hawaii's Infrastructure
Federal funding for the Honolulu rail project is expected to continue, offering a boost for Hawaii's infrastructure and investment prospects despite previous funding concerns. This project will have a wide impact on local businesses, residents, and tourists.
Read full article →Sustainability & Resources
Time to Secure Hawaii's Food and Energy: Urgent Action Needed
This article discusses the immediate and intensifying impacts of climate change on Hawaii, emphasizing the critical needs to secure food and energy resources. The analysis calls for immediate action to improve local food production and transition to renewable energy sources for long-term economic viability and sustainability.
Read full article →HECO's Scrapped Pricing Scheme: A Win for Hawaii Ratepayers and a Lesson in Energy Policy
A recently proposed evening electricity pricing scheme by Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has been cancelled due to lack of success, providing relief to ratepayers and highlighting the complexities of energy policy implementation in Hawaii and will have implications for businesses.
Read full article →