April Visitor Spending Rises 4.8% to $1.77B Despite Fewer Arrivals
Hawaii saw $1.77 billion in visitor spending in April 2026, up 4.8% from last year, even though total arrivals dropped slightly. Visitors spent an average of $278 per day, a 14.1% increase from the previous year. Total visitor arrivals fell 0.5% to 828,959, but higher daily spending of $278 per person drove revenue growth. US […]
Maui County April Jobless Rate Rises Slightly to 2.6%, Stays Below US Average
Maui County’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 2.6% in April from 2.5% in March, but remains well below the national rate of 4%. Maui Island unemployment rose to 2.6% in April, matching last year’s rate for the same month. Moloka’i saw the largest increase, jumping from 1.9% to 2.4% unemployment month-over-month. Lāna’i was the only […]
Rock Musician Sammy Hagar Plans Summer Tour from Maui Base
Rock star Sammy Hagar, speaking from his part-time Maui home, announced his upcoming summer concert tour featuring Van Halen songs. The tour could bring additional visitors to Hawaii as part of his expanded concert schedule. Sammy Hagar announced his Best of All Worlds summer tour while speaking from his part-time Maui residence. The tour features […]
Maui Cat Café and Local Businesses Compete for National Recognition Awards
Cat Café Maui in Kahului is nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Cat Cafés list, along with several other Hawaii businesses competing in various tourism-related categories. Cat Café Maui at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center is one of 20 nominees for USA Today’s Best Cat Cafés award. Public voting is open daily until June 22, with winners announced […]
Two Long-Standing Maui Businesses Honored at Japanese Cultural Festival
NAPA Auto Parts and Restaurant Matsu received business awards at the 24th annual Maui Matsuri for their decades of community service and commitment to local values. NAPA Auto Parts has served Maui for 79 years, growing from one Wailuku store to seven island locations under family ownership. Restaurant Matsu has provided Japanese cuisine for over […]
Major Maui Developer Reports Reduced Losses But Sharp Revenue Drop in Q1
Maui Land & Pineapple narrowed its quarterly losses but saw revenues fall 41% due to suspended housing projects and reduced land sales activity. Land development revenues plummeted from $2.6 million to $257,000 after state suspension of Honokeana Homes housing project. Commercial real estate leasing remained stable at $2 million with 93% occupancy boosted by post-wildfire […]
Study: Dive Tourism Damaging Coral Reefs Through Tourist Contact
New research shows recreational divers frequently damage coral reefs through physical contact, adding to existing threats from climate change. Some destinations are implementing stricter diving regulations and artificial reef alternatives. University of Sydney study found divers with cameras and equipment were more likely to touch and damage coral structures. Researchers observed “contagious” behavior where one […]
Major Maui Landowner Reports Revenue Drop Amid Recovery Challenges
Maui Land & Pineapple saw revenues fall 41% in Q1 2026 due to suspended housing projects, though commercial properties benefited from wildfire-related tenant relocations and improving tourism traffic. Land development revenues plummeted to $257,000 from $2.6 million after the state suspended the Honokeana Homes housing project in April 2025. Commercial real estate stayed stable at […]
Washington Tourist Charged for Throwing Rock at Maui Monk Seal Pleads Not Guilty
A Washington state tourist charged with throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal at a Lahaina beach has pleaded not guilty and been ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches. Multiple news sources report the incident has sparked widespread condemnation and that the defendant claims he was trying to protect sea turtles. Igor […]
Wailuku First Friday Community Event Returns June 5 with Local Music
Wailuku First Friday returns June 5 from 6-9 p.m. on Market Street featuring local Hawaiian musicians, food vendors, and shopping. The free family event includes performances by Grammy-nominated Gregory Juan and local group Kuikawa. Market Street will close to vehicle traffic at 5:30 p.m. with free parking available at Wailuku Municipal Garage after 6 p.m. […]