Marketing & Public Relations Updates 

Anything but I‘a Poke Recipe Contest 

This unique contest invited Maui Nui residents to create original poke recipes using local ingredients — without fish! Aspiring home chefs brought their culinary creativity to the table for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip to Las Vegas and ultimate bragging rights. 

Our five finalists — featuring ingredients like ʻuala, avocado, chicken, tofu, and watermelon — were featured on KHON2’s Living808 morning show during the first week of April. The judging took place at Seascape Restaurant at Maui Ocean Center, with the winner announced live at the Earth Day celebration on April 26. 

(More details on the winner to be added by Autumn after April 26.) 

Mahalo to our partners and sponsors: Maui Ocean Center, Seascape, Southwest Airlines, Vacations Hawai‘i, Pacific Media Group, KHON2, and the County of Maui Office of Economic Development for their generous support. 

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Kaʻehu Mālama ʻĀina – Earth Day Volunteer Effort 

In celebration of Earth Day, the MVCB team joined Kaʻehu Maui’s Mālama ʻĀina program — a day of hands-on restoration including clearing overgrowth, removing invasive species, maintaining lo‘i kalo, and restoring native habitats and stream systems. We were joined by Pacific Whale Foundation representatives and a group of eager visitors participating through PWF’s Mālama Pono program. 

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13th Annual ClimbHI LEI (Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration) Event – April 17 

MVCB was proud to connect with over 100 Maui Nui high school students during the LEI Exposure Fair at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. It was a great opportunity to share our passion for the visitor industry and inspire future leaders. 

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Hawai‘i Tourism Japan – Travel Trade FAM to Maui 

MVB welcomed representatives from JTB Japan and JTB Hawai‘i during their visit to Maui Ocean Center. The FAM provided updates on Maui’s recovery and reinforced awareness of the island’s offerings for future travelers. 

 

Hawai‘i Tourism Korea – Media FAM to Maui 

Top-tier media representatives from publications including Allure, Vogue, and The Galleria immersed themselves in outdoor experiences that showcased Maui’s natural beauty and adventure offerings. They also took part in regenerative tourism activities that support responsible travel messaging. 

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Upcoming Events 

  • May 2 – Canoe Crop Corner at Wailuku First Friday will highlight ʻuala (sweet potato), featuring Ryan Earhart with Okoa Farms and ‘Ui Kahue with Maui Grown 808. 

  • June 6 – Canoe Crop Corner returns to Wailuku First Friday with Chef Alvin Savella of Coco Deck Lahaina. 

  • June 2–6 – PRSA Travel + Tourism Conference 2025 in Tampa, FL. MVCB will participate as a panelist in the session, “Surviving Seasonality: Slow Season Boosts and Overtourism Strategies.”