High-Tech Maui
High Tech Maui is a project of the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., whose mission is: "To provide leadership and vision in our community for the responsible design and development of a strong and diversified economy."
Maui continues to evolve from a county economically dependent on tourism and agriculture in the early 1980s to a community working toward a balanced, diversified economy. Through collaboration of private and public sectors, that future is becoming a reality.
Maui offers a range of incentives for businesses as well as qualified research activities, including:
- High technology investment credit
Maui offers some of the nation’s most competitive high technology business tax incentives by providing a 100% return on cash investments and a 20% research tax credit in qualified businesses.
- Maui research & technology park fasr track permit
Situated on over 400 acres below Haleakala, the majestic 10,023-foot peak, the Maui Research & Technology Park provides an attractive space for innovation and business-to-business collaboration. The park offers a fast track permit process for new business in: Research and development, and production, and office, business and support services.
- Foreign trade zone facilities
Hawaii offers one of the largest and most diversified foreign trade zone programs in the U.S. Maui houses two of Hawaii’s 13 zones, which help companies reduce the risks and costs associated with international business transactions. The Maui Research and Technology Park provides 59 acres zoned for research and high technology use. Maui Pineapple Company owns Maui’s second zone, which is home to its pineapple cannery.
Maui County’s Enterprise Zone (EZ) program offers tax benefits to qualified businesses the islands of Molokai, and Lanai, and in East Maui, West Maui and Greater Maui. Benefits include: 100% exemption from the general excise tax; 80% state income tax credit the first year (declining by 10% each year for the next 6 years); an additional state income tax credit equal to 80% of the unemployment insurance premiums paid the first year (declining by 10% each year for the next 6 years).
The U.S. Small Business Administration has designated Hawaii a historically underutilized business zone, or HUBZone. The HUBZone program provides federal contracting opportunities to qualified small businesses.