In November 2021, 202,246 visitors to Maui spent $352 million, which was 6.8% less than the $378 million spent by the 232,330 tourists in pre-pandemic November 2019.
As we approach the end of another eventful year of change, what’s the new year looking like for business in Hawaiʻi? Paul Kosasa, head of the locally-owned ABC Stores, spoke to HPR's The Conversation in a wide-ranging interview about the pandemic, raising the minimum wage, the importance of supporting small mom-and-pop shops, and much more.
The Conversation met with De Fries at the end of a tiny Waikiki street that some years ago he called home. He shared his visions for Hawaiʻi tourism during what may be the industry's most challenging period.