Hāna Highway Closures Jan 20-21 Disrupt Logistics; Plan Preemptively

Temporary closures along critical Hāna Highway and Lower Nāhiku Road segments are scheduled for January 20 and January 21, specifically from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day, due to rock removal operations. These closures will directly impact the timely delivery of goods and services to businesses and residents in the affected areas.

The Change

Loose rocks and vegetation are being removed from a slope adjacent to Hāna Highway, necessitating traffic stoppages and road closures. The work zone is located just past Milepost 25 on Hāna Highway, and Lower Nāhiku Road will also be closed. These closures are scheduled to occur between 8 a.m. and noon on both Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, 2026. While the closures are specific to morning hours, their duration and location (a key artery for the region) will create significant logistical challenges for businesses reliant on timely transportation.

Who's Affected

• Small Business Operators: Restaurants, retail shops, and service providers in Hāna and Nāhiku face direct supply chain disruptions. Suppliers attempting to make deliveries during these closure windows will experience delays, potentially leading to spoilage for perishable goods or missed service appointments. Businesses may incur additional costs for expedited shipping or require staff to be on-site during unexpected delays.

• Tourism Operators: Hotels, vacation rentals, and tour companies in Hāna are susceptible to impacts on guest transportation and supply needs. Arrivals or departures scheduled during the closure window may be delayed. Additionally, services requiring external suppliers (e.g., laundry services, food deliveries to hotels) will face disruptions, potentially affecting guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

• Agriculture & Food Producers: Farmers and food producers in the Hāna and Nāhiku regions who rely on timely transportation for harvesting, processing, or distribution will experience transit delays. This could affect the freshness of produce, the ability to meet market demand, and the overall cost of getting products to market. Transporting inputs like feed or fertilizer will also be delayed.

Second-Order Effects

The temporary Hāna Highway closures, while brief, highlight the inherent fragility of transportation infrastructure in remote areas of Hawaii Island. Such disruptions can:

• Increase Operating Costs: Extended transit times and potential rerouting for suppliers lead to higher fuel consumption and labor costs, which are often passed on to businesses in the form of increased pricing for goods and services.
• Impact Service Availability: Businesses dependent on timely deliveries of critical supplies (e.g., restaurant ingredients, medical supplies) may face temporary stockouts or service interruptions during the closure, directly affecting their ability to serve customers.
• Strain Local Resources: Inability to access or depart the area during specific windows can strain local resources if emergencies arise or if specialized personnel need to travel in or out.

What to Do

Given the high urgency and the limited action window, businesses must take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of these closures.

Small Business Operators

• Reschedule Deliveries: Contact all suppliers scheduled for delivery to Hāna or Lower Nāhiku between 8 a.m. and noon on January 20-21. Request rescheduled deliveries for either before 8 a.m. or after 12 p.m. on those days, or on an alternative day.
• Communicate with Staff: Inform staff about the potential for delays if they are commuting into or out of the affected areas during the closure windows. Ensure they have contingency plans.
• Review Inventory: For perishable goods, confirm current stock levels and consider holding off on non-essential orders that would arrive during the closure.

Tourism Operators

• Notify Guests: Inform any guests with arrival or departure scheduled on Hāna Highway near Milepost 25 or on Lower Nāhiku Road during the specified hours about the potential for delays. Provide alternative travel advice if possible.
• Coordinate with Service Providers: For services like linen cleaning, food delivery, or maintenance, proactively contact providers to adjust their schedules away from the impacted timeframes.
• Adjust Staffing: If staff commutes are affected, communicate expectations and potential adjustments to work schedules or reporting times.

Agriculture & Food Producers

• Delay or Expedite Shipments: If transporting perishable goods, either aim to complete pickups/deliveries before 8 a.m. or after 12 p.m. on January 20-21. If immediate transport is critical, explore if routes avoiding the closure points are feasible, though this is unlikely given the highway's geography.
• Communicate with Buyers: Inform any wholesale buyers or restaurants expecting deliveries during the closure window about potential delays and updated delivery estimates.
• Coordinate Input Deliveries: If essential agricultural inputs are scheduled for delivery, contact suppliers to reschedule.