Molokai Weather Radar Still Offline, Impacting Oahu Forecasts
The weather radar located on Molokai, which provides crucial data for Oahu and surrounding islands, has been non-operational for an extended period. As of January 2026, the National Weather Service (NWS) has not provided a definitive timeline for its repair, leading to a significant gap in precise local weather forecasting capabilities. This outage particularly affects the rainy season, a critical period for agricultural planning and tourism.
Who's Affected?
Agriculture & Food Producers
Farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operators rely heavily on accurate, localized weather information to manage irrigation, protect crops from severe weather events, and plan planting and harvesting schedules. The prolonged absence of the Molokai radar data hinders the ability to anticipate heavy rainfall, potential droughts, or high winds, increasing the risk of crop loss and inefficient resource deployment. For instance, precisely timing irrigation in areas like the Waianae coast, which receives much of its limited rainfall during the winter months, becomes more challenging.
Tourism Operators
Hotels, tour companies, and outdoor recreation providers face difficulties in scheduling activities and managing guest expectations. Accurate short-term forecasts are essential for planning popular excursions such as snorkeling trips, hiking tours, and beach activities. Without reliable radar data, operators have less lead time to adjust plans for sudden storms or prolonged rain, potentially leading to cancellations, reduced visitor satisfaction, and revenue loss. Coastal businesses also need to monitor for potential flash flooding or severe weather warnings with greater lead time.
Small Business Operators
Many small businesses, including restaurants with outdoor seating, event planners, and logistics companies, depend on weather forecasts for daily operations. Inaccurate or delayed weather information can lead to poor staffing decisions, unexpected closures, or inefficient delivery routes. Retail businesses may also see impacts on foot traffic based on unpredicted weather changes.
Second-Order Effects
The prolonged radar outage introduces an element of unpredictability into weather-dependent sectors. This uncertainty can lead to a minor increase in operational risk premiums for businesses, potentially affecting insurance costs or the willingness to invest in outdoor-facing infrastructure. For agriculture, a series of unpredicted heavy rainfall events could necessitate costly emergency drainage system upgrades or lead to increased reliance on less efficient forecasting models, indirectly impacting food prices. Furthermore, a consistent lack of precise weather data could slightly diminish the perceived reliability of Hawaii as a destination for outdoor activities, impacting long-term tourism strategies if not addressed.
What to Do
Action Level: WATCH
Businesses reliant on accurate weather forecasting should proactively implement strategies to mitigate the risks associated with the Molokai radar outage.
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Agriculture & Food Producers: Cross-reference data from multiple sources, including the National Weather Service's inland forecasts, satellite imagery, and regional weather services. Consider investing in on-site weather monitoring equipment if feasible. Review crop insurance policies for coverage gaps related to unpredictable weather events.
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Tourism Operators: Diversify activity offerings to include indoor options as a contingency. Maintain clear communication channels with guests regarding weather-dependent activities and cancellation policies. Establish trigger points for adjusting schedules based on less precise, broader regional forecasts.
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Small Business Operators: Build buffer time into event planning and operational schedules to accommodate sudden weather shifts. Utilize multiple weather apps and subscription services for the most current, albeit less localized, information. Review contracts for outdoor service providers to ensure flexibility regarding weather.
Action Details: Monitor official National Weather Service (NWS) updates and local news outlets for any indication of repair progress or updated timelines for the Molokai radar. Simultaneously, establish a protocol for cross-referencing at least three independent weather data sources daily (e.g., NWS Honolulu, AccuWeather, The Weather Channel) to gain a more comprehensive, albeit less granular, understanding of impending weather patterns. If repair timelines extend beyond an additional 60 days, begin to factor in increased contingency costs for weather-related disruptions into seasonal business planning for the next 6-12 months.
