Business
Business Monday: New small business network offers support for aspiring entrepreneurs on the Big Island
The new network seeks to cultivate local businesses grounded in cultural values and shared prosperity through mentorship, funding and resources.
Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association to honor hospitality industry’s finest
Hawaiʻi Island Chapter will host inaugural No Ka ʻOi Hospitality Awards on Monday, June 15, celebrating individuals whose dedication helps create memorable visitor experiences while strengthening one of the island’s most important economic drivers.
Construction industry in Hawai‘i marks second-strongest first quarter in past decade
However, a significant decrease in single-family and multi-family housing activity raises concern.
Annual EPIC system update scheduled later this week
Electronic Processing and Information Center — Hawai’i County’s online portal for permits, plan submissions, inspections, payments and public records — will be unavailable from 1 a.m. June 11 through 8 a.m. June 12.
Business Monday: Century-old Kona Inn Restaurant celebrates new ownership with revamped menu, dining space
The new owners, the Island Restaurant Group, are working to breathe life into the struggling old eatery while maintaining its vibe and nostalgia.
Salvation Army Hawaiʻi County spreads a little sweetness, lots of appreciation on National Donut Day
The nonprofit, along with KTA Super Stores, on June 5, 2026, treated staff and employees of Hawai’i County, first responders, hospital staff and other public servants around the Big Island to deliveries of aloha in the form of hundreds of donuts, celebrating the people making a positive difference in their communities.
Pacific Summer Transportation Education Program by University of Hawaiʻi now accepting applications
Participating high school students will be introduced to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, skills through the lens of urban and regional planning with a goal of fueling their higher education choices and perhaps interest in transportation-related careers.
News briefs for June 4: L&L Texas, free Toyota, provisional licenses, bad cheese bread and food philanthropy
A quick look at news stories from throughout the state and beyond.
Visitor spending in April increases despite slight decline in Hawai‘i arrivals
Preliminary statistics from Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism show a total of 828,959 visitors arrived in the state during the month, a 0.5% decrease from a year before, but total visitor spending increased 4.8%.
Business Monday: Big Island Climbing celebrates 5 years of bolstering bouldering community
Big Island Climbing continues to foster a climbing community and empower youth through bouldering programs and experiences as it reaches its five year anniversary in Hilo.
News briefs for May 31: Outdoors Expo, improv auditions, assistance available, Chicky Tendies, L&L milestone and more
A quick look at news from throughout the state and around the Big Island.
State flow of resources made visible with new Hawaiʻi Funding Project
Hawaiʻi Funding Project pulls from disparate funding and data sources, providing access to visualizations and data to explore funding at the most relevant and useful depth; it is a direct response to questions about federal funding disruptions early in 2025.
News briefs for May 30: Town hall, water polo, Pacific Music Institute, grazing land, Hilo Brewfest, Kona Tax Office and more
A quick look at news happening throughout the state and around the Big Island.
Main cabin dining redefined by island-inspired Hawaiian Airlines onboard food service
Pre-order dining options by celebrated Hawai‘i chefs, fresh fare for all cabins and complimentary local snacks highlight evolution of tasty options for travelers.
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience survey aimed at invasive fruit fly management
The survey seeks feedback from farmers, home gardeners, landscapers and others to assist College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience understand the status of the fruit fly pest and refine strategies to manage it.
News briefs for May 28: Cultural festival, food and wine fest, marketing workshop, scholarship winners
A brief look at news and events happening throughout the state and around the Big Island.
Business Monday: Maui artist opens Paint Aloha gallery in Waikōloa with classes for all ages
With business struggling on Maui after the Lahaina fires, artist Annabelle Ramil found a new home for herself and her gallery on the Big Island.
State briefs for May 22: Hawaiʻi Tourism leadership search, Zippy’s new locale, kona low recovery support
A quick look at news happening throughout the state and beyond.
Registration open for workshop: ‘Work Together Effectively As a Non-Profit Board’
Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center Executive Director Julie Mitchell will provide those who attend with some practical tools they can immediately put to use to become more effective individually and collectively on a nonprofit board.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Market Activation Summit set to convene at beginning of June
Local leaders, developers, investors and community stakeholders are invited to attend the upcoming summit and can register now.
