FOCUS MAUI NUI

Our Islands, Our Future
VIEW THE FOCUS MAUI NUI 2020 TRENDS REPORT

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13th Hawaii Energy Conference + Exhibition

May 20-21, 2026

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Recent Articles

Haleakala a shrinking volcano

Pu‘u ‘Ula‘ula is the highest point on Haleakala’s summit, with an elevation of 10,023 feet. But the mountain was once much higher than this. At one time Maui consisted of 2 separate islands. The sea between them was filled with erosion from the two Volcanoes, and the...

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Arriving by Air

Arriving by Air

In the 1920s a select few well-heeled visitors came to vacation in the two or three grand hotels at Waikiki Beach. Some flew in small amphibian airplanes to see the volcanoes on the Big Island, but Maui was seldom on their itinerary. Inter-Island Airways, Ltd., (which...

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Out Migration

Out Migration

A telling indicator of economic duress is local residents leaving Hawaii for good. At the airport, departing family members or friends look no different than other people. There is no way of knowing their reasons for pulling up stakes and leaving Hawaii. The census...

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Maui Nui's First Export

In 1790, Capt. John Kendrick of Boston set out to trade Pacific Northwest seal and otter fur in China. He stopped in Hawai'i to replenish his ship with wood, water and salt. Sailing offshore he smelled a familiar odor emanating from a cooking fire. It was sandalwood,...

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Makahiki – Hawaiian Thanksgiving

Na Huihui o Makali'i is a cluster of stars also known as the Pleaides or the Seven Sisters and is much revered in Hawaiian tradition as the place from where the first Hawaiian people came to Earth. In November the appearance of the Makali'i cluster signifies the...

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Being Coastal

Being Coastal

There are 3,140 counties in the United States. 21% (673) are classified as coastal. More than half of the U.S. population lives in a coastal county. The entire state of Hawaii is now included in the coastal zone (previously state forest reserve lands were exempt)....

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Trends Maui Nui 2020

Work on the 2020 report began in late 2018, as an update to the 2008 Next Steps Report—to record changes over the decade, to prepare for the 2020 U.S. Census, and to contextualize quantitative research. Like the 2008 report, it is comprised primarily of secondary data, but Trends Maui Nui 2020 includes far more data than its predecessor. It also includes six narratives that bring life to quantitative data. These narratives were developed with the help of a collection of qualitative one-on-one interviews with a cross section of topic experts and residents of Maui County.

About Focus Maui Nui

Focus Maui Nui, a program of Maui Economic Development Board, is a community process seeking the input of local citizens in a discussion about what residents want for the future of our islands (Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe) which together make up Maui Nui and Maui County.

The project is designed to bring individuals, organizations, and communities throughout the county together to identify and prioritize shared values and to send clear messages to local leaders about what we want for our islands, our communities, and our future.

Our Vision

INNOVATION

Maui Nui will be an innovative model of sustainable island living and a place where every child can grow to reach his or her potential.

COMMUNITY

The needs of each individual, the needs of our natural and cultural assets, and the needs of the whole community will be brought into balance to reflect the extremely high value we place on both the land and its people.

EDUCATION

The education and well-being of young people will be fostered to ensure that those born on these islands can, if they choose, spend their whole lives here – raising children, owning homes, enjoying rewarding jobs, and taking advantage of opportunities to contribute to this community and to be good stewards of our local treasures.

LEADER

Maui Nui will be a leader in the creation of responsible, self-sufficient communities and environmentally sound economic development.

PRESERVATION

That which makes Maui Nui unique in the world will be preserved, celebrated, and protected for generations to come.