Choose your location
Pacific Business News
Sale Pepe owners reinvent beloved Lahaina eatery after wildfires
For the owners of Front Street’s Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina, rebuilding in their beloved community is the only right next step. <\p> “[We’re] giving back everything that Lahaina gave to [us],” said husband-and-wife restaurateurs Michele and Qiana Di Bari, who opened the Italian eatery in 2014. <\p>
Restaurant group helps employees rebuild after Lahaina fire
When Jackie Reed, CEO of T S Restaurants, learned high winds had led to fires in Lahaina, her first priority was to find all of her employees – a feat that took multiple company leaders five days. <\p> Almost 300 of the company’s 726 employees on Maui lost their homes, said Reed, who is based in California. Some lost family members.<\p>
This Maui restaurant manager escaped the fire, returned for reopening
When customers come to Mala Ocean Tavern, they are seated with an oceanfront view of sailboats and the outline of the neighboring islands in the distance. But just right of the restaurant, past its small parking lot, is a security checkpoint with a “Do Not Enter” sign. Now, this small, half-mile strip of Front Street is tucked between two Lahaina burn zones only accessible to authorized personnel and those with legal affiliation to a property there.<\p> “I think a lot of people don’t know they’re allowed to go into Lahaina, don’t know [Mala is] open,” said Ingrid Lynch, the restaurant’s general manager.<\p>
‘The work is ongoing’ for HCF’s Maui recovery efforts
Established more than 100 years ago, Hawaii Community Foundation seeks “to create an equitable and vibrant Hawaii in which all our Island communities thrive,” its website notes. Last year, HCF stewarded more than 1,160 funds and distributed $107.4 million in grants to Hawaii organizations. <\p> In response to the Maui wildfires in August 2023, HCF activated its Maui Strong Fund – which had launched in 2019 to support Maui County in case of a disaster – to provide resources through its four-phase recovery approach. <\p>
Front Street Recovery aims to help Lahaina businesses
In the wake of fires that destroyed most of Lahaina town last August, landowners of commercial properties on Front Street started a new group called Front Street Recovery.<\p> “We formed Front Street Recovery so we can speak as a group and work on getting the rebuild spearheaded and going,” said Mousa Hassan, who owned two buildings and seven retail stores on Front Street. “But as far as the businesses, I mean, as you see, not a whole lot has been done, and there hasn’t been any direction for us, so far.”<\p>
A casual revolution is hitting the office. Gen Z is leading the way.
Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. <\p> Given that they entered the workforce in one of the more tumultuous times in the history of the country, Generation Z employees have seemingly put their stamp on plenty of changes in the post-pandemic workplace. <\p>
This resort has a new executive chef
Turtle Bay resort, which has recently been rebranded as a Ritz-Carlton property, has named a new executive chef: Danny Chew, shared representatives of the luxury resort. A spokesperson for The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay could not be reached immediately to confirm Chew's start date. <\p> Chew was previously the executive chef at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. In that role, he spearheaded culinary operations for the hotel. He has also worked as executive sous chef at the Sheraton Waikiki. <\p>
Hawaii Dental Service has named a new director of dental operations
Hawaii Dental Service has named Victor Yoon director of dental operations.<\p> The company announced the appointment on Tuesday, noting in a release that Yoon brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the role. He has worked in Seoul, Shanghai and Honolulu at companies that include Samsung Life Insurance Company, AXA Tianping Insurance Co., Ltd., and Pacific Radiation Oncology. <\p>
Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez donate $1 million to local nonprofit
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have pledged a donation of $1 million to Scouting America’s Aloha Council, the nonprofit announced Aug. 6.<\p> According to a release from Aloha Council, the funding “will be instrumental in replacing the bunkhouse cabins at Camp Maluhia, supporting program and operational needs council-wide, and strengthening its endowment.”<\p>
Two Hawaii businesses among 'Greatest Workplaces' in the country
Newsweek recently released its national ranking of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024,” and two Hawaii-based businesses made the list: Bank of Hawaii, Inc. and Foodland Super Market.<\p> In the article, published Aug. 5, Newsweek said, "as more parents juggle raising a family with their work obligations, they want employers who offer flexibility and are supportive of work-life balance."<\p>
Twinkle Borge remembered as 'a beacon of hope'
Puuhonua O Waianae village leader and founder Twinkle Borge died on Aug. 5. She was 54. <\p> "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Twinkle Borge, our cherished leader of Puuhonua O Waianae," according to a statement from village officials. "Twinkle dedicated her life to serving others and lifting up those around her. Twinkle was often heard saying, 'kuleana wakes up the mana inside,' and was a firm believer that every single person – houseless or not – can be a leader in their community.<\p>
Hawaii Youth Symphony appoints first-ever COO
Hawaii Youth Symphony has appointed Rachel Schultz as its new chief operating officer, which marks a brand-new role for the organization. The Honolulu-based nonprofit announced Schultz to the role in a release on Tuesday, and her appointment is effective immediately.<\p> “As a newly created role to bolster HYS’s strategic plan, Schultz will serve as a thought partner and deputy to the president and CEO and will be directly responsible for the daily leadership of the organization’s personnel, financial management, and administrative operations,” Hawaii Youth Symphony said in a statement.<\p>
Maui wildfire lawsuits reach 'historic' $4 billion settlement
After four months of mediation, what's being called a "historic settlement" has been reached for seven defendants to pay out more than $4 billion to about 2,200 parties affected by the Maui wildfires, according to an announcement by Gov. Josh Green on Aug. 2. The seven defendants include the state of Hawaii, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications.<\p> According to Green's announcement, the proposed terms of the settlement "will help our people heal" and resolve legal claims arising from the Maui wildfires that occurred on Aug. 8, 2023.<\p>
Assistance fund expands to help Maui County homeowners
The Maui County Homeowner Assistance Fund Program has expanded to $21 million, it was recently announced.<\p> Now, according to an Aug. 2 announcement from Maui County, more homeowners on Maui, Molokai and Lanai who were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts may be eligible for assistance or other resources to help avoid foreclosure.<\p>
Event to highlight UH alumni-led businesses
The University of Hawaii will hold its third annual Alumni Makers' Market on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki. <\p> The event is sponsored by the UH Office of Alumni Relations and features than 30 businesses owned and operated by university alumni. The event usually draws more than 350 attendees, including business leaders, lawmakers and UH System leadership, according to a release from UH. <\p>
CNHA announces grants for homeowners affected by wildfires
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement recently launched the Kakoo Maui Pre-Development Grant, which aims to support Lahaina and Kula homeowners whose primary residences were destroyed or are uninhabitable because of wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023.<\p> Wildfires in August 2023 ravaged parts of the Valley Isle, including a blaze that killed more than 100 people and destroyed much of Lahaina town.<\p>
Here’s how much visitors to Hawaii spent in June
Hawaii visitor arrivals were down 8% in June compared to the same month 2019, according to the most recent data by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.<\p> According to the monthly visitor statistics report, 872,620 visitors arrived to Hawaii in June 2024, while 947,112 arrived in June 2019. According to the report, the number of arrivals also marks a slight drop of 2% from June 2023, when 889,274 visitors had arrived. <\p>
Luxury convenience shop has opened in Ward Village
Broome Street General Store, a bodega and gift store, opened July 3 in Ward Entertainment Center, according to representatives of Ward Village. On Aug. 3, the store launched a coffee bar, which includes an espresso and matcha bar, specialty drinks, pastries and brunch service.<\p> The 1,335-square-foot location was designed by an in-house team and features a cafe that serves coffee from local company ChadLou's Coffee Roasters. The store sells gourmet groceries, home decor and fashion. It also offers exclusive totes, shirts, jewelry, herbs and salt. <\p>
How Northwestern Mutual-Hawaii is meeting rising demand
Northwestern Mutual-Hawaii has converted its Downtown Honolulu location into a formal network office to be managed on Oahu, the financial services company said in an Aug. 1 announcement. <\p> Previously, the Hawaii location was operating under a network office in San Diego. Now, with the expansion into its own network office, "it will receive advanced resources and tools from the company, and have a greater ability to grow and develop its team in Honolulu," the company said in an email to Pacific Business News.<\p>
Why is the stock market down? Here's what businesses need to know.
Stock markets and indicators globally plummeted substantially in recent days, and experts say a combination of factors are contributing to the widespread selloff. <\p> At one point Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 1,500 points, although it has rebounded slightly to about a 1,000-point decline in late afternoon trading. <\p>
Pacific Business News
4K+
Posts
638K+
Views
Hawaii's source for local business news, breaking news alerts, newsletters, business intelligence and local business networking. An American City Business Journals publication.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.