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Big Island Businesses Face Immediate Operational Disruptions and Property Risk from Tropical Storm Lala

·7 min read·⚡ Act Now

Executive Summary

Tropical Storm Lala's formation and proximity to the Big Island necessitate immediate emergency preparedness actions for tourism operators, agricultural producers, and small businesses due to the high risk of severe weather impacts within days. Immediate steps to secure assets, protect staff, and manage customer commitments are critical to mitigate financial and operational losses.

  • Tourism Operators: Expect cancellations, potential evacuations, and flight disruptions impacting revenue and guest safety.
  • Agriculture & Food Producers: Risk of crop damage, livestock loss, and infrastructure damage requiring immediate protective measures.
  • Small Business Operators: Potential for property damage, supply chain interruptions, and mandatory closures affecting operations and revenue.
  • Action: Implement emergency plans NOW to secure property, communicate with stakeholders, and prepare for potential business suspension.

Action Required

High Priority

Immediate action is needed to secure property, arrange for evacuations or shelter, and potentially cancel bookings and operations before the storm makes landfall, which could be within days.

Big Island tourism operators, agricultural producers, and small businesses must immediately implement emergency plans to secure property, protect staff and livestock, and communicate with customers/employees before potential hurricane conditions arrive within 72 hours. Review insurance policies and backup data.

Who's Affected
Tourism OperatorsAgriculture & Food ProducersSmall Business Operators
Ripple Effects
  • →Tropical Storm Lala impacts on Big Island tourism → reduced inter-island travel and overall state visitor sentiment.
  • →Damage to Big Island agriculture → temporary increase in local food prices and reliance on imports across Hawaii.
  • →Infrastructure damage on Big Island → strain on state recovery resources and potential logistics delays for all islands.
A stormy sky with dark clouds looming over a silhouette of palm trees, creating a dramatic and tropical scene.
Photo by juliane Monari

Big Island Businesses Face Immediate Operational Disruptions and Property Risk from Tropical Storm Lala

Tropical Storm Lala has formed approximately 700 miles east-southeast of Hilo, triggering a hurricane watch for Hawaii Island. This development demands urgent action from businesses on the Big Island to safeguard personnel, assets, and operations against potential severe weather impacts, including high winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding, which could materialize within 24-72 hours.

The Change

On August 13, 2026, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) officially designated Tropical Storm Lala. A hurricane watch signifies that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours. Given the storm's trajectory and the typical weather patterns associated with such systems near the Hawaiian Islands, businesses on Hawaii Island must prepare for impacts that could range from heavy rains and gusty winds to potentially destructive hurricane-force conditions.

Source: Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Who's Affected

Tourism Operators (Hotels, Tour Companies, Vacation Rentals)

Businesses in the tourism sector on Hawaii Island face immediate revenue loss and operational challenges. Hotel guests may need to be evacuated or moved to safer accommodations. Tour operators must cancel excursions, leading to a direct loss of income and potential credit or refund liabilities. Vacation rental owners need to contact guests, advise on safety protocols, and potentially issue refunds or reschedule bookings. Airline capacity could be reduced due to flight cancellations, impacting visitor arrivals and departures.

  • Impact: Immediate cancellations, potential evacuations, significant revenue disruption, damage to property.
  • Timeline: Potential impacts within 24-72 hours. Decisions on cancellations and evacuations must be made proactively.

Agriculture & Food Producers

Farms, ranches, and aquaculture operations on the Big Island are highly vulnerable to tropical storm and hurricane impacts. High winds can cause severe damage to crops, greenhouses, and farm infrastructure. Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, soil erosion, and damage to irrigation systems. Livestock may be at risk from wind, flooding, and loss of feed. For food producers, supply chain disruptions and damage to facilities can halt production.

  • Impact: Crop damage/loss, livestock endangerment, infrastructure destruction, supply chain interruption.
  • Timeline: Immediate action required to secure livestock, protect crops (e.g., cover sensitive plants, harvest early if feasible), and reinforce structures.

Small Business Operators (Restaurants, Retail, Services)

Businesses operating on Hawaii Island must prepare for potential mandatory closures, property damage, and disruptions to their supply chains. Retail stores may need to secure inventory and outdoor signage. Restaurants should consider food spoilage due to potential power outages and secure outdoor seating or equipment. Service-based businesses may face cancellations or the inability for staff to commute to work.

  • Impact: Property damage (roofs, windows, signage), power outages, inventory loss, supply chain delays, forced business closures.
  • Timeline: Immediate steps to secure premises, backup critical data, and assess supply chain vulnerabilities.

Second-Order Effects

The immediate impacts of Tropical Storm Lala on Hawaii Island will ripple through the state's interconnected economy. A significant disruption to tourism on the Big Island can affect inter-island travel and overall visitor sentiment for the state, potentially leading to decreased bookings across other islands. Damage to agricultural output, particularly if widespread, could lead to temporary increases in food prices for all islands due to reduced local supply and increased reliance on imported goods. Extended power outages or infrastructure damage on the Big Island could also strain recovery resources and potentially impact shipping and logistics for the entire state, affecting the availability of goods and increasing costs for all businesses.

What to Do

Tourism Operators

  1. Activate Emergency Preparedness Plans: Review and implement your established hurricane preparedness and business continuity plans immediately. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
  2. Communicate with Guests: Inform guests of potential weather impacts, safety guidelines, and any operational changes or cancellations. Offer flexible rebooking options where possible.
  3. Secure Property: Board up windows, secure outdoor furniture and equipment, and move sensitive equipment to higher ground or secure indoor locations.
  4. Coordinate with Authorities: Stay informed of official advisories from the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies.
  5. Review Insurance: Understand your insurance coverage for storm damage and business interruption.

Agriculture & Food Producers

  1. Secure Livestock: Move animals to sturdy shelters or higher ground. Ensure adequate feed and water are available and protected.
  2. Protect Crops: Harvest mature crops if possible. Use protective covers for sensitive crops. Reinforce greenhouses and any temporary crop structures.
  3. Secure Equipment and Infrastructure: Store or anchor farm equipment, fuel tanks, and generators. Clear drainage ditches to prevent flooding.
  4. Monitor Utilities: Ensure backup power is available and fuel supplies are adequate, especially for critical operations like irrigation pumps or cold storage.

Small Business Operators

  1. Secure Premises: Board windows, secure doors, and remove or tie down any loose outdoor items (signage, furniture, trash cans).
  2. Protect Inventory and Equipment: Move high-value inventory and sensitive equipment away from windows and potential flood zones. Consider power outage preparedness for refrigeration or critical machinery.
  3. Communicate with Staff: Provide clear instructions regarding work schedules, safety, and communication protocols during and after the storm. Ensure employees have a safe place to shelter.
  4. Assess Supply Chains: Contact key suppliers to understand their preparedness and potential for disruptions. Identify alternative sourcing options if necessary.
  5. Backup Data: Ensure critical business data is backed up off-site or in the cloud.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Continuous monitoring of official advisories from the CPHC and local emergency management is crucial for making timely decisions.

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