Hawaii Business Magazine

Hawaii tax collections soared to a record high in April.

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Hawai‘i tax collections soared to a record high in April while local economy recovered
Hawai‘i’s general fund took in $1.4 billion in tax revenue during April, representing a 40% gain over roughly $1 billion in the same month of 2021 and more than any month in history. Star-Advertiser.

How federal funds could help fix Hawai‘i’s roads and bridges
The state transportation department is developing plans on how to spend upwards of $220 million each year in investment act funds. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Sen. Stanley Chang promotes Vienna’s ‘social housing’ program
The goal of social housing is to have affordable rentals available to everyone, not just those with lower incomes. Vienna’s model provides low-cost rentals; some 60% of the population there lives in government-subsidized housing, Chang said. Civil Beat.

Maui-based Hotel Magic expands to Waikīkī
Jonathan Todd, the Maui-based founder and CEO of Hotel Magic, is plucky enough to attempt to pull at least six magic shows out of a pandemic when many entertainment businesses are struggling across the globe. Star-Advertiser.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Mei Day Turns Locally Grown Tropical Flowers into Works of Art
Brandi Lelepali and Mei Day owner Tamara Rigney create artful arrangements of tropical flowers from a space at the Lana Lane Studios in Kaka‘ako. Their work brightens the interiors of Tiffany & Co., The Ritz-Carlton, Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands… read more.

OʻAHU

Commission stands by selection of Maj. Gen. Arthur ‘Joe’ Logan as city’s police chief
The Honolulu Police Commission will not reconsider its selection of retired Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan in the wake of his 36-year-old son’s arrest for allegedly attacking a man with a metal hook and notice of a pending felony theft trial for allegedly shoplifting electronics from Target. Star-Advertiser.

Survey finds support for keeping landmark intact
The survey commissioned by the Friends of Haiku Stairs found that 40% of the nearly 500 people polled wanted to leave the stairs alone.Some 29% want it removed and the rest were indecisive. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore man who moved sand to protect his home gets more time to fight $92k fine
In April, Todd Dunphy racked up violations when he used an excavator to build a sand berm behind his Rocky Point house without first getting permits, said officials. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu homeowners to pay significantly more in property taxes as home values rise
While the city relies on property taxes to pay for core services and its 10,000 employees, higher property tax bills have become a financial burden to many already struggling with rising inflation. KITV4.

Wahiawā charter school under investigation after receiving multiple parent complaints
Parents like Kelly Olayan said Kamalani Academy is reneging on a promise to let the students keep distance-learning technology devices. Hawaii News Now.

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Helping Small Businesses Succeed

Small businesses are part of the cultural fabric of our unique communities. In celebration of Small Business Month, we honored these innovative entrepreneurs as well as those thinking about making their business idea a reality. Chris Anjo, Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer, advises business owners to have a trusted banker on their team so they can focus on growing their dreams.

If you are interested in starting a new business or would like to learn about ways to expand your current operations, we’re here to help! Take advantage of FHB’s free 30-minute consultations. Request an appointment at fhb.com/smallbusiness.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Council to consider measure that proposes to prohibit non-mineral sunscreen
A bill that would prohibit some types of sunscreen on the Big Island in an effort to help protect the environment, especially coral reefs, has garnered the support of hundreds. Big Island Now.

Council committees evaluate charter measures
A County Council panel Tuesday took a dim view of a proposed charter amendment adding more Native Hawaiian input into county water policies, but four other proposals were forwarded to the council with positive recommendations. West Hawaii Today.

BLNR mulls Naniloa request to use second mortgage
The future of the Grand Naniloa Hotel is up in the air as the Board of Land and Natural Resources considers whether to permit the hotel’s owners to take out a second mortgage to pay off its first one. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Fair canceled for third straight year
The Hawaii County Fair Foundation, the fair’s nonprofit organization, said in a statement that E.K. Fernandez Shows/Carnival Events, which brings the carnival midway to Hilo, can’t commit to fairs on the Neighbor Islands due to higher shipping costs and staffing challenges. Tribune-Herald.

On Oʻahu, 53.6% of all mortgaged homes are “equity rich,” up from 36.5% a year ago. | Photo: Getty Images

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Most Hawai‘i Homes Are Equity Rich
An area of East Honolulu that includes the gated enclave of multimillion-dollar homes atop Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge had the highest share of equity-rich properties in Hawaiʻi during the first quarter of this year, according to an analysis of data provided by ATTOM Data Solutions... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

Maui Council questions lack of progress in Bank of America legal battle
Almost two years after Maui County hired an outside attorney for $200,000 to pursue a lawsuit against Bank of America for allegedly failing to uphold a decades-old promise to provide $150 million in home loans to Native Hawaiians, there’s still unclear when — or if — the county plans to take action against the banking giant. Civil Beat.

Maui’s Northshore Greenway gets long awaited blessing
The Northshore Greenway extends a little more than 3.7 miles long from Kanahā Beach Park in Kahului, along past Saddle Road behind the airport, past the Kaunoa Senior Center and Baldwin Beach Park, ending in Pāʻia at the Pāʻia Youth Center. Maui Now. Maui News.

Management plan, funding approved for 8,951-acre Waikamoi Preserve
The state BLNR unanimously approved more than $2.6 million in funding for The Nature Conservancy during fiscal years 2023-28 for continued enrollment in the Natural Area Partnership Program and the implementation of Waikamoi Preserve Long-Range Management Plan. Maui News.

UH medical school graduates include seven from Maui County
The graduates will begin their medical careers in July and received advanced training in medical specialties of their choice, according to UH. Maui News.

KAUAʻI

Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship begins at KCC
The free, nine-week course walks veterans, active-duty military and their families through creating a business plan while connecting students with local veteran business owners and resources. Garden Island.

MAY 2022 ISSUE