Support Maui's Wedding & Event Industry

My name is Scott Doran, and I am the owner and operator of Maui DJ Services and Strike A Pose Maui. I’m writing to express my strong support for the proposed $300,000 allocation in the county budget to promote our wedding and event sector and help host the upcoming Engage Summit.

Over the years, our industry has contributed immensely to Maui’s economy—bringing in millions of dollars annually, supporting countless small businesses, and providing thousands of quality jobs. This has been accomplished largely without formal advertising campaigns or government assistance. Instead, it’s been built by the hard work, creativity, and dedication of local professionals committed to delivering world-class experiences right here on our island.

The last five years have tested us like never before—through natural disasters, a global pandemic, and economic uncertainty. Yet, the wedding and event industry has remained resilient, continuing to generate income for local vendors, venues, florists, musicians, caterers, and countless other small businesses.

Now, we have a unique opportunity to showcase Maui on a global stage through the Engage Summit. This event would not only bring direct revenue to the island but also serve as a long-term investment in our brand as a premier destination. With Mayor Bissen’s support, I respectfully urge the Council to stand with us and approve this critical funding.

Your support can help amplify the voices of local entrepreneurs, ensure a more sustainable and equitable economic future, and allow us to continue representing Maui with the spirit of aloha that draws people here from around the world.

Mahalo for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,
Scott Doran
Owner/Operator
Maui DJ Services & Strike A Pose Maui

Support Maui’s Wedding & Event Industry

Aloha Council Members,

My name is Ariel Quiroz, owner of Ariel Quiroz Art A.K.A. Maui Wedding Art, and I have been proudly serving the Maui community for over a decade. I am reaching out to strongly encourage your support for the proposed $300,000 allocation in the budget designed to promote and strengthen Maui’s vital Wedding & Event Industry.

Our industry is primarily made up of small, locally owned businesses like mine, providing essential employment and meaningful opportunities for thousands of Maui residents. Each wedding and event significantly contributes to our local economy, ensuring prosperity and well-being remain firmly rooted within our community.

Furthermore, our work strongly aligns with the principles of regenerative tourism—promoting respectful, culturally mindful, and intentional travel. This approach nurtures deeper connections with Maui’s unique culture, landscapes, and community, fostering sustainable economic growth and cultural preservation.

Given the unprecedented challenges we have faced over the past five years—including the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and devastating fires—your support is more critical now than ever.

Please vote in favor of this essential budget allocation. Your support will help our industry recover and allow us to continue enriching the lives of both our local community members and visitors who choose Maui for their most memorable life moments.

Mahalo for your time and thoughtful consideration.

Warm regards,

Ariel QuirozMaui Wedding Art, Lahaina, HI

Please see attached testimony on budget and real property taxes.

Aloha Council Members,

My name is Carolee Higashino and I am President and business owner of A White Orchid Wedding, Inc., Wailea Weddings and also operate a boutique Maui venue called The White Orchid Beach House. I am a familiar face to you all as the Makena venue I am speaking of was recently permitted for use by Maui County and you the council witnessed the frustration of that daunting and extensive process with me first hand.

In the interim of this process both my companies and our industry have clearly witnessed the decline in visitors and our businesses literally faced the very worst of times economically. With the lasting effects of the covid pandemic coupled with the Lahaina wildfires we are all struggling to gain momentum to simply stay in business on this island. Sadly many have not been able to sustain. My company currently employs 5 full time staff members whom are all local members of our community. I support them with full health benefits and a 401K plan and have done my very best to retain the longevity of their employment. Sadly I have lost some along the way. In addition WOW supports over 200 local vendors and services on our island alone whom rely on our services for employment.

Having been in this business now just over 30 years, I have always found that no matter what we produce as a whole, we have never been given the recognition nor assistance to grow this industry here in Maui County, let alone the State of Hawaii. We have all independently invested our own resources to bring this massive business platform to our community and have successfully done so in great numbers. With well over millions of dollars generated to our County annually we are a significant participant for our economic recovery.

In an effort to 'stay afloat' we are all doing everything within our means to stimulate our economy thus allowing families here on the island - stay on the island. We simply cannot do it alone. I’m writing today to urge you to support the $300,000 budget allocation for the Maui wedding and events industry. In fact I would like to see more funding come to our industry as well knowing the return to our community will be well worth it. This first stepping stone will help enable us to once again gain the global recognition as a world class wedding destination once again.

I realize many are struggling on the island and we are here to support local business. It is with your consideration that this might be a possibility for us all. I appreciate each and every one of you as I a too have seen what you all are faced with on the daily. I am grateful for your time in reading these letters of support.

Mahalo Nui Loa,
Carolee Higashino
Owner, A White Orchid Wedding, Inc.

Aloha Council Members,

My name is Jackie Cavallo, and I’m the owner of Hair Anywhere Maui, a mobile bridal hair and makeup business that has been serving couples across the island for over 15 years. I’m reaching out today to ask for your continued support of the Maui Wedding & Event industry—a vital and deeply rooted part of our local economy and community.

Our industry is made up primarily of small, locally owned businesses like mine, and together we generate millions in revenue each year. That income stays here on Maui, supporting local families, providing jobs, and helping sustain other small businesses we collaborate with, from florists and planners to photographers and venues.

Weddings also align with the values of regenerative tourism. We serve clients who come to Maui not just for beauty, but for meaning—to honor the island, its culture, and their connection to it. We encourage intentional, respectful travel, and we take great pride in representing Maui with the care it deserves.

After enduring the hardships of the pandemic and the heartbreaking losses from the fires, our industry is still in recovery. We’re asking for your advocacy and support so we can continue doing what we do best—welcoming guests with aloha and supporting our community from the inside out.

Mahalo for your time and consideration.

Warmly,
Jackie Cavallo

Bridal Hair & Makeup Artist | Maui, HI Hair Anywhere Maui
Instagram | Facebook | WeddingWire | Google
808-250-0106
jackiecavallo.com

To the Maui County Council,

As owners of The Catered Coconut, we are honored to be part of a deeply rooted, vibrant, and hardworking community that brings dreams to life here on Maui. Our small business was born from a simple idea — to offer fresh coconuts at weddings and events — but it has grown into something far greater: a signature experience that guests remember and talk about for months and even years after. We’ve found our niche by showing up with authenticity, warmth, and intention, creating moments that are not just beautiful, but deeply felt. This is not just about coconuts — it's about connection, storytelling, and the magic of Maui hospitality.

The impact of what we do ripples far beyond our business name. We provide meaningful work to our team, we inspire others with our creativity, and we help set the tone for what it means to celebrate on this island with care and integrity. The Maui wedding and event industry is a collective ‘ohana — one that works tirelessly, and often while very tired, to uplift the visitor experience and support one another behind the scenes. In the wake of years of challenge and recovery, now is the time to recognize this industry not as an afterthought, but as a vital contributor to our local economy and cultural reputation. We ask that you take our work seriously — not just The Catered Coconut, but the thousands of small, heart-led businesses like ours that make Maui a premier destination for celebration. Supporting this funding is not charity — it’s an investment in what is already working, beautifully.

With Aloha,
Catherine Duncan & Michael Lynn
The Catered Coconut

Testimony in Support of Funding for the Maui Wedding Industry – FY2025 Budget

Aloha Council Members,

My name is Karma Hill, and I am a proud resident and business owner in Maui County. I’m writing today to urge you to support the $300,000 budget allocation for the Maui wedding and events industry.

I own and operate a wedding planning and photography business that serves couples from around the world who choose to celebrate one of life’s most meaningful moments on our island. My company alone employs 15 people here in Maui County—7 of whom are full-time employees earning competitive pay and receiving health benefits. Prior to COVID and the Lahaina fires, we employed 20. That number doesn't include the over 30 independent contractors we work with regularly—local florists, officiants, musicians, stylists, and other small businesses who support their families through the wedding industry. For every wedding we plan, dozens of local hands are involved. Each event generates work, income, and opportunity for our community.

The Maui wedding and event industry is not only large and united—it’s built primarily of small, locally owned businesses. Collectively, we contribute millions of dollars annually to the island’s economy. More importantly, a significant portion of that income stays on Maui, directly supporting local families, services, and our small business ecosystem.

Beyond the numbers, our industry plays a vital role in promoting regenerative tourism. We work closely with couples to ensure their wedding experience is respectful, intentional, and aligned with the values of mālama ʻāina and cultural reverence. We advocate for meaningful travel—experiences that leave people more connected to this land and its people.

However, the last five years have tested us deeply—from the pandemic to economic uncertainty to the heartbreaking destruction of Lahaina. The impact has been immense, and recovery continues to be slow. We need your help now more than ever.

With your support, we have a real opportunity to build a model event industry grounded in community, culture, and care. We can continue to host weddings and life celebrations that uplift our people, steward our land, and help Maui lead the way in values-driven tourism.

Mahalo for your time and consideration. I deeply appreciate the work you do for our island and hope you will stand with the thousands of families and small businesses that make up the Maui wedding industry.

With gratitude,
Karma Hill
Owner, Karma Hill Photography / Simple Maui Wedding