The County of Maui Office of Economic Development

02/20/2026

Join us for a Chinese New Year celebration, including lion dancers and martial arts, at 9 a.m. Feb. 20, 2026, on the front lawn of the County of Maui Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku.

This free event will feature Master Ben Seng Au and Au’s Shaolin Arts Society. Firecrackers, martial arts, lion dancers, drums, cymbals and Chinese percussion will help usher in the Year of the Horse. Lai see envelopes will be handed out for audience participation to feed the lions for good luck.

10/18/2025

The County of Maui's Office of Economic Development is hiring. Positions currently available are:
- Economic Development Specialist II
- Grants Specialist II

To apply, go to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Maui and filter results to "Office of the Mayor"

***These are non-civil service limited-term positions. All positions within the Office of the Mayor are appointed.

Mahalo!

05/24/2025

Our Workforce team have been busy working with employer engagement to determine how we can meet their hiring needs.

Fernando’s Mexican Grill is one of them, and in honor of Memorial Day they're offering 20% off for all veterans and active-duty military personnel this Monday as a heartfelt thank you for their service.

Head on over to the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center this weekend for 'ono grinds and much more! Mahalo for continuing to support our local businesses!

03/20/2025

*UPDATED FLYER*

Representatives of organizations seeking grant funding are invited to attend County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) grant workshop sessions on March 27 and 28, 2025.

Sessions will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. each day at the Maui County Service Center, 110 Alaʻihi St., #105, Kahului.

The OED Grant Specialist Team is leading the workshops, which are designed to support local nonprofit and for-profit organizations in applying for grants for programs, projects and events designed to have a positive economic impact in Maui County.

PREREGISTRATION IS MANDATORY, and availability is limited to two people per organization per day.

The deadline to register is March 25, 2025, by going to www.mauicounty.gov/1787 and clicking on the link for “FY2026 Grants Training Workshop Information.”

For more information, call the Office of Economic Development at (808) 270-7710 or email [email protected]

03/01/2025

In partnership with the State DOE, Goodwill Industries Ola I Ka Hana Program, and Maui High School, the Office of Economic Development is organizing a hiring fair for graduating high school seniors. The event is aimed to provide opportunities for graduating seniors to secure full-time or part-time gainful employment that will provide a minimum starting of $19.69/hour, an annual income of $39,385/year.

The event will take place on Friday April 11 at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel from 9am-12pm. Registration is open now through March 10.

Schools and employers interested in participating, please scan the QR code or click the links below.

Schools:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhFOTTksiLavWf_65Oi9lYgWUnxCWxfHOrNpuM2BZ1GF178A/viewform

Businesses:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqbaOCWWPEUMpjwWm54bmc0sSobQ5Uqukp39j22tzBiDZapw/viewform

Mahalo!

02/06/2025

You're invited!

Join us for a Chinese New Year Lion Dance performance at 9 a.m. this Friday, February 7 on the front lawn of Kalana O Maui, County Building, in Wailuku.

For the 40th year in a row, a team from Au’s Shaolin Arts Society will perform the Lion Dance. This Friday they'll be ushering in the Year of the Snake. The festivities will include firecrackers and lion dancing music including drums, gongs and cymbals to attract the lion. Lai see envelopes will be handed out for audience participation to feed money to the lions for good luck.

For more information, call the County of Maui Office of Economic Development at (808)270-7710.

12/18/2024

Last-Minute Holiday Shopping at Kokua for Maui: Support Local Businesses on December 22-23

Maui, Hawaii – The LahainaTown Action Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, invites residents and visitors to finish their holiday shopping at the Kokua for Maui: Shop Local and Show Aloha event on Sunday, December 22, and Monday, December 23, at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. This special two-day event runs from 9 AM to 2 PM and features live entertainment, complimentary photos with Santa, and dozens of businesses from Lahaina Town who have been displaced since the August 2023 fires.

Event Highlights:

• Live Entertainment:
-Sunday, Dec. 22: Kaniala Masoe | Gabe Goebbert
-Monday, Dec. 23: Logan Kalawai'a | Larry Golis

• Complimentary Photos with Santa: Sunday, December 22, courtesy of Spotlight Photobooth.

• Lahaina Bird Stand: Stop by and visit the famous birds of Front Street both days.

• Over 30 Front Street Vendors: Shop handmade goods, art, jewelry, apparel, and local products from businesses impacted by the fires.

• Featured Nonprofits: Support the Ocean Center Marine Institute and Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project.

• Book Launch: Remembering Lahaina, a commemorative coffee table book by Maui Arts League, will be available for purchase.

The event is free to attend. Valet parking is available for $20, and self-parking validation is $1 per every 3 hours at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

For more information and a full list of vendors, visit visitlahaina.com.

10/24/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2024 - Kihei 4th Friday Town Party
Contact Debbie Probst, [email protected]

Kihei, Maui, Hawaii – Come to the South Shore of Maui for Kihei 4th Friday’s Spooky October Halloween Town Party! It’s all happening October 25th from 6 to 9pm at Azeka Shopping Center Mauka, the “Heart and Soul” of Kihei. Come enjoy FREE FAMILY FUN and A KEIKI COSTUME CONTEST! In addition, enjoy live music, food booths and trucks, art, crafts, and plenty of great local shopping. Free entertainment With Nevah Too Late. Plus, Arlie Asiu in Food Court. And, enjoy Classic and Collector’s Cars on display near the Keiki Zone. This month also features a Huge Keiki Zone with Mermaid Photos, Rope Bubbles, Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Arts and Crafts, 4 Kids Quick Science, and a Racing Car Track. Plus don't miss the South Shore Haunted House next door to Nalus! $5 Admission benefits the Pacific Cancer Foundation Children's Fund.

Volunteers and Special Donations: Kihei Charter School.

Special Thanks to: Azeka Shopping Center, MW Group Ltd., H. Hawaii Media and Waste Pro Hawaii.

Kihei 4th Friday is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in giving back to your community and participating in an exciting monthly event, please contact us by email or posting to our page. For more information, please go to www.kiheifridays.com. or www.facebook.com/kiheifridays

About Kihei 4th Friday Town Parties: Kihei Friday Town Parties are on the 4th Friday of every month.

About Friday Town Parties: Maui Friday Town Parties is an initiative developed by the Maui County Office of Economic Development to showcase our island’s historic towns and celebrate the unique nature of their business’s communities.

10/23/2024

Aloha All,

In anticipation of the Veteran's Day Holiday and our commitment to giving priority of service to those who served and their eligible spouse, please see the attached event flyer. "Military & Malasadas" is scheduled for 11/4/24, 9am-11am, at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Kahului. Please help spread the word for those looking for employment and support services.

10/04/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
J. Walter Cameron Center Celebrates 50 years

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
• Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: J. Walter Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St, Wailuku, HI
• Admission: Free and open to the public

For more information, visit www.jwcameroncenter.org/events

WAILUKU, HI – On October 11, 2024, the J. Walter Cameron Center will mark its 50th anniversary with a special Open House event, celebrating five decades of serving the Maui community. The event will take place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and is free and open to the public.

This exciting afternoon of festivities will include performances by the Maui Pops Orchestra and Hālau Kauluokalā and Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero, creating a musical backdrop to an afternoon filled with fun and connection. Families can enjoy keiki activities, a puppet show, participate in a resource fair highlighting community services, and take advantage of exciting giveaways. Delicious food and refreshments will be available throughout the celebration.

The organization will also be launching its refreshed logo. Taking inspiration from the original designed by world-renowned artist Tadashi Sato to stand for “hope.” Sato chose a circular shape because it traditionally symbolizes a life-giving form.

The J. Walter Cameron Center would like to recognize Ka Lima O Maui and Alakai Mechanical for their long-standing support of the Center at the upcoming event. In addition, Mike Silva and Anders Lyons, past board presidents, will be honored for their years of dedication to the organization.

As a valued community hub, the J. Walter Cameron Center has been dedicated to fostering collaboration between nonprofit organizations and empowering individuals with vital resources since 1973. The 50th-anniversary event offers a chance for everyone to explore the center, learn more about the services available, and engage with the community in a meaningful way.

09/29/2024

09/13/2024

Office of Economic Development accepting new grant applications. Application process opens Sept. 16 and runs through Nov. 1

The Office of Economic Development (OED) will accept new grant applications for programs, projects and
events that promote and nurture economic development in Maui County.

Approximately $868,000 in funding is available. The application process opens Sept. 16 and runs until Nov.
1, 2024.

The County is seeking proposals that are consistent with community needs and priorities, while supporting
local businesses and nonprofits.

Funding is available for initiatives in:
• Cultural and Arts Programs ($48,000): cultural and art events, workshops, festivals and other
opportunities in Maui County.
• Small Business Promotion ($30,000): promotion of Maui’s small towns and businesses and support
of small business events, trade shows, workshops and other economic development activities that
support small businesses county-wide.
• Business Technology ($555,000): new technology-based economic development for Maui County.
• Workforce Development ($180,000): encompasses locally and nationally recognized education-to-
workforce initiatives.
• Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi youth and student travel ($35,000)
• Hāna youth and student travel ($20,000)

Applicants may be for-profit or nonprofit organizations and must be in good standing with state and federal
governments. Fiscal Year 2025 grant handbooks are available at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ghySBRNVYyYhSIFA_Rv5M_wr6xMJ3IKA/view.

For more information, contact the OED staff at [email protected] or (808) 270-7710.