News Archive
Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water is now on shelves in Japan
Hilo-based Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water has launched in Japan through two major retail chains, Lawson convenience stores and Seijo Ishii specialty grocery shops.
Looking for Shipping & Logistics Partner? Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone Offers Free Logistics Directory
Hawai‘i Foreign-Trade Zone No. 9 offers a free online directory of third-party logistics providers and freight forwarding companies.
DOJ to Investigate Possible Gas Price Gouging
The U.S. Department of Justice has been directed to investigate whether gasoline prices are staying higher than they should despite a recent drop in oil prices.
Regulations Are Driving Up Costs to Hawaii Homebuilding
Regulatory costs now account for 26.4% of the price of a new single-family home nationally, according to a 2026 NAHB study.
A Typical Honolulu 2-Bedroom? HUD Says $2,687 a Month
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's FY 2025 Fair Market Rent figures show Honolulu County leading.
Hawaii utilities are investing in grid resilience as weather threats grow
Hawaiian Electric and other state utilities are pursuing infrastructure upgrades aimed at hardening the grid against outages from storms, wildfires, and other disruptions.
Hannara’s Restaurant Has Been Holding It Down in Waianae for Years
Hannara Restaurant on Farrington Highway is where locals go for breakfast before work.
A Seattle dumpling chain just opened its first Hawaii location at Ala Moana Center
The Seattle-based dumpling chain has opened at Ala Moana Center, marking its first expansion into Hawaii.
West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply is back open in Lahaina
West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply has reopened in Lahaina more than a year after the wildfire destroyed its original store.
Hawaii's Only Oyster and Caviar Caterer Oysters Hawaiʻi Expands
Hawaii's only oyster and caviar catering company Oysters Hawaiʻi is scaling up with support from Mana Up Hawaii
Downtown Honolulu Jewelry Lab Turns Hobbyists into Side Hustles
A jewelry lab in Downtown Honolulu is drawing hobbyists and side-hustle entrepreneurs looking to learn the craft and turn creative skills into income.
HTDC Awards Innovation Grants to Hawaii Tech and Manufacturing
The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation has awarded a new round of Innovation Grants targeting growth in the state's manufacturing and technology sectors.
Honolulu's Running Room Closes After 50 Years in Business
The Running Room store in Honolulu is shutting its doors after five decades
Hawaii Made Conference Connects Local Entrepreneurs and Businesses
Hawaii Pivots to Luxury as Visitor Numbers Hit Plateau
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau President and CEO Dr. Aaron J. Salā is reorienting the organization's mission
Zippy's Closes One of Its Las Vegas Locations
Zippy's is pulling back on the mainland, closing one of its Las Vegas restaurants
Honolulu Bus and Rail Fares Increase Starting July 1
Hawaiian Airlines Is Ending One of Its Most Popular Perks
For decades, getting a free meal was part of the Hawaii flight experience.
Blackstone Sells West Oahu Apartments at Steep Discount
Blackstone has unloaded a West Oahu apartment complex at a significant loss
Thousands of Recalled Jeeps Create Problems for Hawaii Car Rental Companies
The recall affects vehicles that rental companies rely on heavily in the islands
Hawaii Restricts Business Donations to Political Campaigns
Hawaii Families Paying for Solar Systems That Were Never Activated
The Zipmobile is stalled on the H-1 Pearl City viaduct, keeping the zipper lane closed
The breakdown of the lane-shifting vehicle is preventing the zipper lane from opening during rush hour traffic.
Honolulu is processing residential building permits faster, but commercial permits are moving in the opposite direction.
The trend points to a city permitting system that is gaining ground on home construction backlogs
Hawaii Drivers May Catch a Break at the Pump After Iran Developments
Hawaii drivers have spent months watching gas prices climb as tensions in the Middle East disrupted global oil markets.
Hawaii's construction industry opened 2025 with its second-strongest first quarter in a decade, logging $2.09 billion in activity
The headline number signals broad sector momentum, but housing tells a different story.
Amazon's proposed $600 million fulfillment center in West Oahu is running into community pushback and zoning complications before a single shovel hits the ground.
The project, which would represent one of the largest private investments in Hawaii in recent years
Kamaka Ukulele, the Honolulu-based family company founded in 1916, is marking 110 years of handcrafting ukuleles
Still operating out of Honolulu, Kamaka remains a fourth-generation family business and one of Hawaii's most enduring manufacturing names.
OHA's board is set to reconsider a $172,500 due-diligence vote tied to its proposed acquisition of KITV and KIKU
The move signals renewed momentum behind a deal that would give the Office of Hawaiian Affairs a significant foothold in local broadcast media.
Hawaii's restaurant industry is turning to teenagers this summer to fill a growing labor gap as economic pressure squeezes staffing budgets.
With fewer adults taking entry-level food service positions, operators across the islands are ramping up outreach to high school students as a practical pipeline for seasonal roles.
Moani Waikiki has shut down at International Marketplace, ending a run of nearly five years at one of Honolulu's highest-traffic retail destinations.
The closure adds to a pattern of turnover at the open-air center, which has seen several tenants exit as visitor spending patterns shift post-pandemic.
Department of Budget and Finance Director Seth Colby is serving as acting governor of Hawaii from June 11 through June 15.
Governor Josh Green is traveling out of state through June 23, and both Acting Lieutenant Governor Keith Regan and Attorney General Anne Lopez are also off island on separate personal trips.
Gov. Green has signed an executive order locking in Hawaii's solar tax credit for 2026, shielding homeowners and businesses from a potential lapse in the state incentive.
The order directs state agencies to maintain the existing residential and commercial solar tax credit structure through the end of next year.
Demolition of Aloha Stadium is now underway, clearing the way for a $650 million redevelopment of the Halawa site
The aging venue has sat dormant for years, and its teardown marks a concrete turning point for a project that has faced repeated delays. The redevelopment plan calls for a new multipurpose stadium alongside retail and communit
Hawaiian Electric is urging residents and businesses to prepare for wildfire season as conditions across the state become increasingly dry.
The utility is advising customers to clear vegetation near structures, review evacuation plans
FEMA has approved new funding for Hawaii to reduce flood risk across vulnerable communities in the islands.
The grant will support infrastructure and mitigation projects aimed at limiting damage from future flood events.
Commercial fishing boats could soon return to waters that have been off-limits for years.
A new executive order reopens two Pacific marine national monuments to commercial fishing, including Papahānaumokuākea.
SpaceX Soars 27% in Market Debut, Tops $2.2 Trillion Valuation
SpaceX's long-awaited public debut didn't just meet expectations, it blew past them. Shares of the aerospace giant surged 27% following its initial public offering (IPO), pushing the company's market value above $2.2 trillion and instantly making it one of the most valuable companies on the planet.
HMSA Hit Pause. Here's Why Hawaii Doctors Were Worried.
Governor Josh Green convinced HMSA to delay a major payment change for Hawaii's primary care doctors until January 2027.
The union representing Hawaii State Hospital workers is moving toward filing a formal grievance over dangerous overcrowding conditions.
Staff say patient loads have exceeded safe capacity, putting both workers and patients at risk. The grievance process could trigger mandatory talks with hospital administration and state officials.
Governor Green is weighing a pause on Hawaii's state gasoline tax as fuel costs continue to strain residents.
The move would mark a significant shift in state revenue policy and could offer drivers temporary relief at the pump.
The Hawai'i Convention Center is staring down a $55 million funding gap to fix persistent roof and structural leak problems.
The aging facility has battled water intrusion issues for years, and the repair price tag now puts state and tourism officials in a tough spot.
Hawaiian Electric is facing a new lawsuit alleging grid negligence in the months before the 2023 Maui fires.
The suit adds to the legal pressure mounting against the utility
Hawaii's governor has signed legislation raising the state minimum wage to $20 an hour by 2030.
The increase will be phased in over several years, giving businesses time to adjust.
Hawaii Construction Jobs Hold Near 41,000 but Pipeline Narrows
Shrinking skilled trades pipeline is raising long-term questions
Hawaii lawmakers have passed a bill to expand affordable housing development along the state's transit corridors.
The measure aims to increase housing density near rail and bus lines
The Honolulu rail project is facing fresh cost overruns and completion date set back again.
The repeated delays and rising expenses continue
Modular Builds Pick Up Steam Across Hawaii
Modular construction is gaining ground in Hawaii as the Maui rebuilding effort and statewide affordable housing demand
Hawaii Economy Forecast to Grow 1.7% in 2026
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism projects Hawaii's GDP will expand 1.7%
HMSA's Fee-for-Service Shift Rattles Hawaii Physicians
Hawaii Medical Service Association's abrupt move to a fee-for-service payment model, effective July 1, has triggered what doctors.
Hawaii Single-Family Home Prices Drop 9%; Condo HOA Fees Near Top in U.S.
Home prices on Oahu fell in April while the condo market continued to soften.
Amazon's $600M Kapolei Fulfillment Center Clears Key Community Hurdle
Amazon fulfillment center in Kapolei received tentative support from the local community.
Oahu Home Prices Hold While Maui Condo Market Drops 13%
The Oahu single-family home median slipped 1% to $1.16 million
North Shore Storm Still Dragging on Statewide Visitor Numbers
March visitor arrivals fell 1.7% statewide and spending dropped 1.6% to $1.96 billion
Hawaii Visitors Spent More in April Even as Arrivals Dipped
Visitor spending in Hawaii climbed 4.8% to $1.77 billion
China signs business deals worth $25 Billion USD with France
Chinese President Xi Jinping signed several business deals with French President Francois Hollande today. Some of the deals included an…
CITY SQUARE NIGHT FESTIVAL 2013 – DEC 28
WHAT: CITY SQUARE NIGHT FESTIVAL 2013 WHEN: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2013 – 5PM-9PM WHERE: CITY SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER, 1199 Dillingham…
AQUACULTURE’S CONTRIBUTION TO HAWAII’S FOOD SECURITY CONFERENCE – NOV 23 – KUNIA COUNTRY FARMS
WHAT: AQUACULTURE’S CONTRIBUTION TO HAWAII’S FOOD SECURITY WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013 – 10AM WHERE: KUNIA COUNTRY FARMS 92-1770…
Detoxify Your Life With Body Wraps By The Sea
The human body is an amazing thing. The way each intricate system works together to keep us alive and kicking is an amazing miracle that…
Billing Services LLC Adds A Personal Touch To Hawaii’s Medical Billing Industry
7 years ago Kathy Yamamoto and her mother began on their trek to create a business that would help medical professionals and patients rest…
AMK Contractors LLC: Honolulu Contractor Delivers Peace Of Mind
Honolulu Contractor Lyle Kelso has been in the contracting industry since he was 18 years old. Now in his early thirties, he has a wealth…
2012 Hawaii Fishing & Seafood Festival Makes Splash At Pier 38
Pier 38 was packed to the gills as the Hawaii Fishing & Seafood Festival 2012 was underway. Patrons by the busload were crowding the pier,…
AIP Gives Boost To Hawaii’s Agriculture Business
The Agribusiness Incubator Program is somewhat of a new idea. The concept has been around for years, but the execution is a little…
Are You Ready For E-Publishing? Workshop – Oct 15 – Hawaii Welness Directory
WHAT: Are you ready for E-Publishing? Workshop – Publish Your Book WHEN: Wednesday, October 15, 2012 5pm WHERE: 350 Ward Ave. #106-29 –…
500 Startups, Blue Startups (Accelerator) and Startup Hawaii @ The Box Jelly
WHAT: 500 STARTUPS, BLUE STARTUPS & STARTUP HAWAII WHEN: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2012 – 8:30PM WHERE: THE BOX JELLY, 307C KAMANI STREET,…
Business Of Farming Classes – August 14, 2012 – Honokaa Big Island
WHAT: Business Of Farming Classes WHEN: August 14, 2012 WHERE: North Hawaii Education and Research Center, Honokaa, Big Island of Hawaii…
Aloha Friday Launches Locally Made, All Natural, Enhanced Water Drink
The beverage market is extremely competitive. If you need any reassurance of that, merely take a look down a beverage isle at your local…
DFS Group Names New CEO
Phillippe Schaus was recently named to succeed Edward J. Brennan as CEO of DFS Group. Schaus will assume his new role on Aug. 1 after…
Best Buy Cutting 50 Stores To Get Profitable. Good Luck With That.
Best Buy is closing 50 superstores and focusing on mobile in an effort to reduce expenses. But since when is cost cutting to profitability…
3 Tips For Gaining Investors
Attracting investors for your small business is no easy task. We all know that. But there are a few things that can aid in your search if…
Cantor’s Small Business Break Adds to Complexity of Tax Code
- Bloomberg House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s goal of giving millions of small businesses an extra 20 percent tax deduction would add to…
Adding Value To Your Brand
There is one sure way to add value to your brand and the way it is conveyed to the public. . . value it. You must value your brand like…
9 Tips For Activating The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Kevin O’Connor , co-founder of DoubleClick , is the CEO of FindTheBest , an unbiased data driven comparison engine, which he established in…
The Box Jelly @ Fishcake Brings Worldwide Jelly Week to Hawaii
In the early days of WiFi and laptop couch crunching, small factions of anti-commuters in NYC created the notion of gathering together at…
Affliction Co-Founder Tom Atencio Builds $150 Million Brand
Today’s business isn’t the same as it once was. Along with new dedicated markets, such as extreme sports, new entrepreneurs have made their…
Decide to Succeed
The direction of your business is completely in your hands. The economy is not behind the steering wheel, you are. The time of year is not…
Your Brand Begins With You
There is a misconception that in business you must conduct yourself as others before you have conducted themselves. But that wouuldn’t be…
Business Booms at Waianae Christmas Parade
The Waianae Christmas Parade brought more than just smiles and cheer to west side today. It brought something that business seem to have…
9,500 APEC Members Receive Hawaiian Gift Box
When the APEC attendees arrive here in Hawaii, they will be greeted with hospitality gift boxes filled with goods from 14 local businesses.…
2011 APEC Summit a Rare Opportunity for Hawaii
Story by: King Eddie We recently focused on the APEC summit that will be taking place here in Honolulu in November. The possibilities that…
Create and Innovate (VIDEO)
Innovation can take a struggling beginner and turn them into a very successful veteran of the business world. Improving upon an already…
The Champ Show Supports Local Business
Champ Kaneshiro is a local Hawaii TV personality who is using his immense passion to push forward his dream of engaging people and making…
Branding With Emotion. . . (Video)
– July 15, 2011 In today’s society of endless advertisements, seas of faceless companies, and billions of interjecting products, the modern…
UH Students Show Out at 2015 Retail Business Plan Contest
The University of Hawaii's retail business plan competition closed out another strong year, with student teams presenting concepts that…
A Community-Based Model of Marketing!
HALEIWA, Hawaii (JUNE 22, 2013) Begun in 2011 by two local, female entrepreneurs who saw a need to assist the small businesses of their…
The Marketing Tools Actually Worth Your Time
There's no shortage of content marketing tools out there. Most of them you don't need. Here are the ones that actually matter for a small…
Facebook Features Your Business Should Actually Be Using
Most small businesses use Facebook the same way — post something, hope it gets seen, repeat. But the platform has a lot built into it that…
The Habits That Actually Separate Successful Entrepreneurs
After a while you start to notice patterns. The business owners who build something lasting tend to operate differently from those who stay…
CardioPanda To Shape-Up Hawaii in 2012
--- all departments -- Auto -- Auto Body Shop -- Auto Detailing -- Auto Finance -- Auto Repair and Service -- Auto Sales ---- Fleet ----…
Being Different Makes a Difference
--- all departments -- Auto -- Auto Body Shop -- Auto Detailing -- Auto Finance -- Auto Repair and Service -- Auto Sales ---- Fleet ----…
Banks Fined More Than $5B, To Plead Guilty to Market Rigging
Five of the world's biggest banks will plead guilty to criminal charges and pay more than $5 billion in fines after federal investigators…
The Box Jelly: Introducing Hawaii to “cowork” space
--- all departments -- Auto -- Auto Body Shop -- Auto Detailing -- Auto Finance -- Auto Repair and Service -- Auto Sales ---- Fleet ----…
ConAgra to Pay $11.2M to Settle Salmonella Criminal Case
ConAgra Foods is paying $11.2 million to put a criminal case behind it — one that dates back to a salmonella outbreak in their Peter Pan…
Be Our Guest Guest Directory GROWING ISLAND WIDE
HALEIWA, Hawaii (SEPTEMBER 09, 2013) Be Our Guest Directory, a Community-based Model of Support for Small Businesses , is going…
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard & U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Paul Zukunft Discuss Disaster Readiness
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard sat down with Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft recently to talk through where Hawaii stands on…
DevLeague: Hawaii's First Software Development Boot Camp
Hawaii finally has its own coding boot camp. DevLeague opened in Honolulu this fall as the first intensive software development program of…
The 1-2-3 Close: A Simple Sales Technique That Actually Works
Most salespeople talk too much at the end of a sale. They keep pitching when the pitch is already done, they circle back to features the…
8 Steps To Actually Get Your Business Idea Off the Ground
Having a business idea is the easy part. Most people who say they want to start something never get past that stage — not because the idea…
Aloha Christmas Jingle to Benefit Hawai‘i Children’s Cancer Foundation
HONOLULU — (November 14, 2013) Christmas came early for Hawai‘i Children’s Cancer Foundation as it has been named the beneficiary for a…