Hāna Business Council History
The Hāna Business council began when Sheraton Hotels was managing the Hotel Hāna-Maui, and was the brainchild of General Manager Chip Bahouth and Carl Lindquist. The Council was incorporated in 1994, with the purpose of establishing a line of communication between Hāna businesses, and to improve the Hāna business climate in general.
It was decided to form as a tax paying entity rather than a non-profit, primarily to allow the endorsement of political candidates should the membership chose to do so, as non-profit organizations are prohibited from making such endorsements.
The organization has been through a series of ups and downs, and at one point attempted to affiliate with the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Today the Hāna Business Council is experiencing renewed growth and energy.