About Maui Happy Hours
Maui Happy Hours emerged from a dream that began long before its inception on the island. Russell Snyder, its founder, while at Appalachian State University and being friends with a then-unknown Luke Combs, launched BooneDeals.com, a pioneering effort to support local businesses amidst the challenges of college life. With no prior website experience and at a time when social media platforms like Facebook were in their infancy, this platform offered deals and captured the nightlife of Boone, reflecting an early commitment to helping local business owners.
Moving to Maui at 29, Russell started anew as a landscaper, only to find himself yearning for the human connection of his previous jobs. After a stint in the confines of condo management, which he found stifling, he returned to the restaurant industry, working his way from cook to barback, roles he knew from his teenage years. Landing a job as a bartender at Amigos Mexican Restaurant in Kihei, where he worked the happy hour shifts, gave him firsthand insight into the struggles and joys of local businesses. One memorable moment was when he poured a beer for the legendary musician Carlos Santana, right there at Amigo’s, highlighting the unexpected joys of his bartending days.
Launching Maui Happy Hours in 2015 was no easy feat. Russell faced the daunting task of juggling his bartending job with the immense work of building a website and app from scratch, all while ensuring each deal was accurate and beneficial for both businesses and patrons. His respect for the Maui community, which had welcomed him with open arms, deepened with every conversation, every deal added to the platform. He recognized the unique spirit of aloha, the resilience of the local businesses against the backdrop of paradise, and he was determined to give back to this community that had given him so much.
The onset of Covid-19 was devastating for Maui. Travel was completely shut down, leading to many businesses closing their doors forever, and the future looked extremely uncertain. In these dark times, Russell didn’t succumb to despair but saw an opportunity to refine and expand Maui Happy Hours, working tirelessly through the uncertainty to ensure that when businesses reopened, they would have the strongest support possible. The launch of version 2 under his guidance was a testament to this struggle and hard work, becoming a beacon of hope amidst the economic wreckage.
The Lahaina and Upcountry Maui fires of 2023 brought another wave of devastation to the island, affecting countless families and businesses. Although Russell did not suffer personal loss, he was profoundly saddened by the tragedy as were all Maui residents. In response, he offered free web development services to affected business owners, a small but significant gesture to help them rebuild their digital presence and continue to serve the community.
Today, Maui Happy Hours stands as a testament to resilience and community support, with its app downloaded over 50,000 times and reaching hundreds of thousands of people each week through social media. It’s not just an app; it’s a lifeline for local businesses, a tool for discovery, and a bridge connecting the community. Our daily commitment is to enhance this platform, making it more useful, ensuring deals are current, and helping businesses thrive. The focus is on elevating the community, supporting local commerce, and bringing joy through shared experiences, all while continuously evolving to meet the needs of both locals and visitors.