Japanese arrivals to Hawaii are up slightly, but the weak yen and uneven flight capacity have kept per‑visitor spending muted, leaving local businesses chasing smaller paydays.

Hawaii's statewide pump average sits near $4.40 per gallon, down year-over-year as island markets vary. Līhuʻe remains the priciest local market.

Waikiki Market is closed for a month‑long kitchen renovation, with most staff offered temporary roles and a planned reopening in mid‑March.

Pacific Current is winding down after selling the Mahipapa biomass plant on Kauai, a facility that supplied roughly 10% of the island's electricity.

Visitor spending climbed in 2025 even as arrivals flattened; airline seat shifts, Maui’s Bill 9 and lower‑cost rivals are reshaping Hawaii’s tourism recovery.

Reyn Spooner is taking over the former Volcom unit at the Hyatt’s Pualeilani Atrium, marking its first Kalakaua storefront and third Waikiki location. The shop is due to open next Sunday.

DFS Group will exit Hawaii in 2026, closing its Waikiki T Galleria and airport shops after a 63‑year run. The Waikiki store’s final day is set for Jan. 28, 2026.

The statewide unemployment rate fell to 2.2% in November while Maui’s not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 2.6%, with mixed job gains across construction, government and hospitality.

Mercedes-Benz agrees to a $150 million settlement over allegations of emissions fraud, including defeat devices in diesel models, with adjustments and compensation for affected vehicles. Hawaii receives a portion for consumer protection efforts.

CoStar and local market reports show Honolulu's retail availability is squeezed — many neighborhoods report under 3% availability and little new construction. That scarcity is pushing tenants toward subleases, pop-ups and a longer hunt for storefronts.

Hawaii's economic growth is expected to reach 1.6% in 2025, with rising visitor spending and a strong labor market, despite a drop in visitor arrivals.

Chick‑fil‑A’s new Waikīkī outpost will open without a drive‑thru and includes an on‑site event space. Planners say the design aims to limit traffic impacts after earlier congestion complaints.

The ninth annual Keep it Kaimukī event celebrated Small Business Saturday with shopping, entertainment, and community engagement, positively impacting local businesses and highlighting the importance of local spending.