S&P 500—Dow—NASDAQ—Russell 2000—FTSE 100—DAX—CAC 40—Nikkei—Hang Seng—ASX 200—ALEX—ALK—BOH—CPF—CYAN—FHB—HE—MATX—MLP—NVDA—AAPL—GOOGL—GOOG—MSFT—AMZN—META—AVGO—TSLA—BRK.B—WMT—LLY—JPM—V—XOM—JNJ—MA—MU—COST—BAC—ORCL—ABBV—HD—PG—CVX—NFLX—KO—AMD—GE—CAT—PEP—MRK—ADBE—DIS—UNH—CSCO—INTC—CRM—PM—MCD—ACN—TMO—NEE—BMY—DHR—HON—RTX—UPS—TXN—LIN—QCOM—AMGN—SPGI—INTU—COP—LOW—AMAT—BKNG—AXP—DE—LMT—MDT—CB—ADP—GILD—MDLZ—SYK—BLK—C—ADI—REGN—SBUX—NOW—CI—VRTX—ZTS—MMC—PLD—SO—DUK—CMCSA—APD—BSX—BDX—EOG—ICE—ISRG—SLB—LRCX—PGR—USB—SCHW—ELV—ITW—KLAC—WM—EQIX—ETN—TGT—MO—HCA—APTV—BTC—ETH—XRP—USDT—SOL—BNB—USDC—DOGE—ADA—STETH—S&P 500—Dow—NASDAQ—Russell 2000—FTSE 100—DAX—CAC 40—Nikkei—Hang Seng—ASX 200—ALEX—ALK—BOH—CPF—CYAN—FHB—HE—MATX—MLP—NVDA—AAPL—GOOGL—GOOG—MSFT—AMZN—META—AVGO—TSLA—BRK.B—WMT—LLY—JPM—V—XOM—JNJ—MA—MU—COST—BAC—ORCL—ABBV—HD—PG—CVX—NFLX—KO—AMD—GE—CAT—PEP—MRK—ADBE—DIS—UNH—CSCO—INTC—CRM—PM—MCD—ACN—TMO—NEE—BMY—DHR—HON—RTX—UPS—TXN—LIN—QCOM—AMGN—SPGI—INTU—COP—LOW—AMAT—BKNG—AXP—DE—LMT—MDT—CB—ADP—GILD—MDLZ—SYK—BLK—C—ADI—REGN—SBUX—NOW—CI—VRTX—ZTS—MMC—PLD—SO—DUK—CMCSA—APD—BSX—BDX—EOG—ICE—ISRG—SLB—LRCX—PGR—USB—SCHW—ELV—ITW—KLAC—WM—EQIX—ETN—TGT—MO—HCA—APTV—BTC—ETH—XRP—USDT—SOL—BNB—USDC—DOGE—ADA—STETH—

El Niño Hurricane Season Demands Updated Business Disaster Plans

·7 min read·👀 Watch

Executive Summary

An active El Niño season increases the risk of severe weather impacting Hawaii through November 30, necessitating revised business continuity and disaster preparedness strategies. The Red Cross is offering volunteer training to bolster community response capabilities.

  • Small Business Operators: Risk of operational disruption, supply chain interruptions, and increased insurance premiums.
  • Real Estate Owners: Potential for property damage and increased security costs.
  • Tourism Operators: Direct impact on visitor numbers, potential cancellations, and extended recovery periods.
  • Healthcare Providers: Strain on services, potential for facility disruptions, and increased demand for emergency care.
  • Agriculture & Food Producers: Risk of crop damage, supply chain halts, and infrastructure destruction.
  • Action: Review and update disaster plans, and consider staff participation in Red Cross preparedness training.

Watch & Prepare

Medium PriorityBefore November 30, 2026

Hurricane season is active June 1 - November 30, and the Red Cross's training window is likely before the season's peak.

Watch the [National Hurricane Center](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) storm outlooks weekly. If a storm system tracks towards Hawaii or an El Niño-enhanced forecast predicts above-average activity, revisit employee communications, reinforce critical infrastructure at your business location, and confirm supply chain contingency plans are ready for activation.

Who's Affected
Small Business OperatorsReal Estate OwnersTourism OperatorsAgriculture & Food ProducersHealthcare Providers
Ripple Effects
  • →Increased storm risk → strained infrastructure (power, transport) → supply chain delays → higher essential goods costs → reduced consumer spending
  • →Severe weather events → property damage → increased insurance premiums → higher operating costs for real estate owners and businesses
  • →Disaster impacting tourism → visitor cancellations → reduced revenue for hospitality sector → potential job impacts
Powerful waves crash against a pier and lighthouse under dark stormy skies.
Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS

El Niño Hurricane Season Demands Updated Business Disaster Plans

With the official hurricane season running through November 30, 2026, and influenced by an El Niño pattern, Hawaii businesses face an elevated risk of severe weather events. The Hawaiʻi Red Cross is actively preparing for a potentially busier-than-normal season by launching its ‘Shelter Hero’ volunteer training program. This initiative aims to bolster community readiness and response capacity in the event of a disaster.

While no immediate policy changes are mandated, the increased threat level requires businesses to reassess their current disaster preparedness, business continuity, and communication plans. Ignoring potential impacts could lead to significant financial losses, operational downtime, and reputational damage.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators: Restaurants, retail stores, and service providers face direct threats to physical locations, potential supply chain disruptions, and employee safety concerns. Increased reliance on robust business interruption insurance and clear communication protocols with staff and customers is critical. A prolonged or severe event could lead to significant revenue loss and extended recovery periods.

Real Estate Owners: Property owners, landlords, and developers must consider the increased risk of storm-related damage to their assets, from commercial buildings to residential properties. This may necessitate higher insurance premiums, increased security and maintenance budgets, and potentially longer-term vacancy if damage is severe.

Tourism Operators: Hotels, tour companies, and vacation rental agencies are particularly vulnerable. Severe weather can lead to mass cancellations, reduced visitor arrivals, and extended recovery times that impact booking calendars well into the future. Ensuring guest safety and clear communication during an event are paramount for maintaining reputation and future bookings.

Healthcare Providers: Clinics, private practices, and medical facilities must ensure their infrastructure can withstand extreme weather, including power outages and potential damage. This also involves having contingency plans for staff availability, supply chain for medical necessities, and managing increased patient loads during and after an event. Telehealth services may see increased demand but depend on reliable infrastructure.

Agriculture & Food Producers: Farms, ranches, and aquaculture operations are directly exposed to weather impacts. Crop damage, livestock loss, and disruption to transportation and export logistics can lead to immediate financial losses and long-term agricultural output reduction. Securing power and water resources during an event and having robust supply chain resilience plans are vital.

Second-Order Effects

An active hurricane season and potential widespread damage can strain Hawaii's already limited infrastructure, leading to prolonged power outages and disrupted transportation networks. This can cascade into significant increases in the cost of essential goods due to shipping delays and increased demand. For businesses, this translates to higher operating costs, potential inventory shortages, and decreased consumer spending power, impacting sectors beyond direct storm-hit areas.

What to Do

This period of heightened risk demands proactive preparation. Businesses should:

  1. Review and Update Disaster Preparedness Plans: Ensure plans include clear communication strategies for employees and customers, emergency contact lists, evacuation procedures, and data backup protocols. Assess insurance coverage for adequacy against storm damage and business interruption.
  2. Secure Physical Assets: Take steps to protect property, such as reinforcing windows, securing outdoor equipment, and clearing potential hazards (e.g., debris, overhanging branches).
  3. Communicate with Stakeholders: Inform employees about emergency procedures and consider their safety. For tourism operators, proactively communicate with guests regarding potential impacts and cancellation policies.
  4. Explore Community Preparedness Resources: The Hawaiʻi Red Cross is offering ‘Shelter Hero’ volunteer training. Encouraging employees or yourself to participate can enhance individual and community resilience. While this training is for volunteers, the knowledge gained is invaluable for any business leader.
  5. Monitor Weather and Official Guidance: Stay informed through reliable sources such as the National Weather Service and the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.

Action Details

Watch the National Hurricane Center storm outlooks weekly. If a storm system tracks towards Hawaii or an El Niño-enhanced forecast predicts above-average activity, revisit employee communications, reinforce critical infrastructure at your business location, and confirm supply chain contingency plans are ready for activation.

More from us

Related Articles

Collection of glass liquor bottles with pour spouts on a shelf, showcasing various brands.
Policy & Regulation

Maui Liquor License Holders Face Operational Halt if Renewal Deadline Missed

·5 min read
Aerial shot of firefighting base with planes, trucks, and personnel in a rural area of Brazil.
Policy & Regulation

PUC Greenlights Hawaiian Electric's Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Paving the Way for Enhanced Grid Resilience

·5 min read
Close-up of a hand signing a legal document with a fountain pen, symbolizing signature and agreement.
Policy & Regulation

Hawaii's New Laws: Key Changes and Business Implications

·3 min read