What Maui Can Learn from Kaua‘i’s Recovery After Hurricane Iniki
Rebuilding after the 1992 disaster led to a construction boom and expedited permitting.
Noelle Fujii-Oride
Noelle Fujii-Oride writes about affordable housing, working families, education, construction, climate change, tourism, entrepreneurship and more. She also leads the editorial department’s audience engagement efforts. Prior to joining Hawaii Business Magazine as a staff writer in 2017, she held internships at the magazine, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Honolulu Civil Beat. She is a graduate of UH Mānoa’s journalism program and now lives on Kaua‘i. You can reach her at noellef@hawaiibusiness.com.
Articles
On Kaua‘i, the Biggest Home Developer Is the County
The county’s Housing Agency and its private partners are now working on 509 affordable homes, with another 860 expected to break ground in about 2025.
Native Hawaiians Don’t Own Many Local Hotels. Here’s Why That May Change.
While the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and ali‘i trusts collect land rents from 18 hotels, some Hawaiian groups are aiming for ownership.
An Affordable Complex to Open in Wahiawā, with Eight More Projects Underway
After a slow start, Honolulu’s Bill 7 – designed to get more low-rise rental units built on unused land – is seeing results.
They’re Light, Fuel-efficient – and the Cutest Darn Trucks on the Road
JDM Hawaii imports used kei vehicles from Japan, then repairs and sells them at affordable prices.
Prince Resorts Is Moving Beyond Luxury Hotels and Golf Courses
The Japan-based parent company is shifting to “asset-light” hotel-management services. Here’s what that means for the Hawai‘i division.
A Honolulu Neurologist and Architect Are Tackling Brain Health
An eclectic group of local leaders has founded the Brain Health Applied Research Institute, aiming to draw from many disciplines and traditions to improve people’s cognitive well-being
Hawai‘i Leaders Selected for ‘Ōiwi Leadership Accelerator
Participants will learn leadership skills while maintaining and nourishing their Indigenous and personal identities and perspectives. Note: This story has been updated to include the 20th participant.
Commentary: Why Local Journalism Matters
Our recent story about Filipinos in Hawai‘i generated an outpouring of gratitude and pride. It’s one example of how communities benefit from on-the-ground reporting.
New Leadership Accelerator Aims to Elevate Indigenous and Hawai‘i-Centric Leadership
The ‘Ōiwi Leadership Accelerator combines Native Hawaiian knowledge and values with Western skills to help Native Hawaiian and Hawai‘i-raised professionals achieve their leadership goals.
Tracking Hawai‘i’s Private Equity-Owned Hotels and Their Impact
I spent five months digging into private equity’s ownership of Hawai‘i’s hotel industry and how that presence has affected their employees and the surrounding communities.
Private Equity Owns a Big Chunk of Hawai‘i’s Hotels. Here’s Why That Matters.
Private equity companies own almost 30% of Hawai‘i’s hotel rooms, a huge increase in the past two decades. We investigate the pros and cons.
What to Know About Insurance Claims Following a Wildfire
We spoke with Robert Libby, assistant VP of claims at First Insurance Co., and Aaron Poentis, regional account manager of First Onsite Property Restoration in Hawai‘i, about what residents should know about filing insurance claims after a wildfire and what the process generally looks like.
The Goal: Tourism That Regenerates Hawai‘i, Not Degrades It
A program that limits access at Kaua‘i’s Hā‘ena State Park and raises local dollars is considered a model for places inundated by visitors.
“Leiolani” Comes to Life on a Massive Wall at Pālama Settlement
JT Ojerio of Aloha de Mele painted one of the 70 murals at the Hawai‘i Walls festival in Kalihi.
How to Replace Important Documents and Access Financial Aid After a Disaster
Here’s what residents and businesses impacted by the Maui wildfires should know about ordering replacement documents and applying for federal assistance. Plus, a list of local financial institutions offering emergency relief.
Turning Clay into Objects Is a Lesson in Patience
Paola Rodriguez Beltran’s Mudd Studio in Honolulu’s Chinatown goes through 3,000 pounds of clay a month.
Kalihi-Pālama and Waiawa: O‘ahu’s Next Boomtowns?
Kamehameha Schools is planning 15,500 new homes in the areas, but it could take decades to become a reality.
In Hawai‘i’s Housing Crunch, Tenants Are Vulnerable to Rent Hikes and Evictions. Here’s What They Need to Know.
This overview of renter protections explains what their rights are, where to get help and how Hawai‘i’s laws stack up against other states.
Dipped by Dee Satisfies the Most Voracious Sweet Tooth
The owner of the ‘Aiea shop started making chocolate-dipped strawberries as a Valentine’s Day treat when she was still in high school.
The Transformed World of Tipping: What You Should Know
Digital payment systems, inflation and pandemic challenges can make tips more crucial for Hawai‘i workers – and more confusing for customers.
Local Companies Are Honored for Excellence in Home Care
The CEO of Ho‘okele Home Care, one of the honorees, explains how they serve 300 seniors on O‘ahu and Maui.
This Nonprofit Helps Kaua‘i’s Farmers Start Up and Grow
Mālama Kaua‘i’s network increased sales by almost 6% in a year, with one farmer reaching six figures.
We Begin Reporting by Listening to Many Voices
Staff Writer and Engagement Editor Noelle Fujii-Oride explains part of Hawaii Business Magazine’s storytelling process and the crucial topics we are covering.
Here’s What It Takes to Salvage 500 Tons of Construction Material
Quinn Vittum, executive director of Re-use Hawai‘i and a 20 for the Next 20 honoree, takes us through a day of combatting local construction waste.
$20 Million to Reform Youth Incarceration
Opportunity Youth Action Hawai‘i works to replace prison time with Hawaiian-based restorative justice.
What We Learned from Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2022 Reader Survey
Most respondents say they consistently read our in-depth reports and email newsletters, and they come from a variety of backgrounds.
Private Equity Helps Build Needed Housing in Hawai‘i
Affordable and workforce housing is costly and complicated to build. Developers depend on private investments to bring thousands of units to market.
20 for the Next 20: Quinn Vittum, Re-use Hawai‘i
The executive director co-founded the nonprofit to combat construction waste, salvaging 442 tons of building materials last year.
20 for the Next 20: Laura Reichhardt, Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing
As director of the research and advocacy group, Reichhardt works to build a pipeline of skilled nurses and help them thrive in the Islands.
20 for the Next 20: Amy Miller Marvin, Hawai‘i Foodbank
The new president and CEO of one of the state’s major food distributors is on a mission to end hunger in Hawai‘i.
Kaua‘i’s Habitat for Humanity Outbuilds Other Habitats in Hawai‘i. Here’s How They Do It.
The nonprofit erects 15 to 20 homes a year in batches, largely using the labor of volunteers and the eventual homeowners.
20 for the Next 20: Ku‘ulani Keohokalole, People Strategies Hawai‘i
This business owner and consultant is becoming the go-to DEI expert, while modeling how to “work for yourself with freedom and autonomy.”
Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2023: Deal of the Year
Recognizes the local company that received the largest financial deal in the past year
Two East Maui Icons Win a Nature Conservancy Award
Tweetie and John Lind have spent their lives preserving traditional subsistence practices and Hawaiian lifestyles in Kīpahulu.
What Happens When Private Equity Is Your Landlord in Hawai‘i
The Blackstone Group and other firms have been buying rental properties in West O‘ahu. Tenants say the result can be escalating rents and unexpected fees.
Josh Tatofi Explains His Creative Process, and a Surprising Side Gig
When not making music, you might spot this Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner at his new coffee wagon in Kailua.
Tracking Hawai‘i Paychecks Versus Living Costs Since 1969
To see if people are better off than their grandparents, we compared wages after inflation, debt loads, where people spent their money and more.
Improving Mental Health with an Innovative App
The MindKloud developers explain how it measures anxiety and depression as well as mental health resilience.
“It’s Always Different”: 5 Child Care Providers Share Their Challenges and Joys
They spend long days teaching, cooking, cleaning and comforting keiki. And please don’t call it “babysitting.”
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