Immediate Operational Disruptions Expected: High Winds and Flooding Risk Crippling Business Continuity Across Hawaii

Immediate Action Required: Hawaii is currently under a High Wind Warning and Flood Watch, effective through Monday, February 10, 2026, due to a potent storm system. This weather event is already causing widespread power outages and creating hazardous conditions, directly threatening business operations, supply chains, and infrastructure resilience across all sectors.

The Change

The current storm system is characterized by sustained high winds and heavy rainfall, increasing the likelihood of downed trees and power lines, flash flooding, and significant damage to exposed infrastructure. These conditions necessitate immediate operational adjustments for businesses across the islands. The duration of these adverse weather impacts is projected through Monday, with lingering effects potentially extending into the week as recovery efforts commence.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators (small-operator)

• Operational Shutdowns: Expect immediate closures due to power outages, unsafe travel conditions for staff and customers, and potential localized flooding. This can lead to significant revenue loss within a 24-48 hour period.
• Staffing Challenges: Employees may be unable to report to work due to personal safety concerns or travel disruptions, requiring activation of remote work policies or temporary staffing adjustments.
• Inventory & Property Damage: Businesses, particularly those in coastal or low-lying areas, face risks of water damage to inventory, equipment, and premises. Securing assets is paramount.
• Supply Chain Interruptions: Local delivery services will be severely impacted, halting the flow of goods. This could leave unprepared businesses without essential supplies or unable to fulfill orders.

Tourism Operators (tourism-operator)

• Guest Safety & Displacement: Hotels and vacation rentals must prioritize guest safety, potentially offering relocation or refunds for affected accommodations. Emergency protocols for power outages are critical.
• Activity Cancellations: Tour operators face immediate cancellations of planned excursions due to dangerous conditions. Revenue loss will be front-loaded during the storm's peak.
• Infrastructure Damage: Resorts and hospitality venues may suffer damage to landscaping, outdoor facilities, and roofing, requiring immediate repair and potentially impacting future bookings if not addressed promptly.

Real Estate Owners (real-estate)

• Property Damage Assessment: Landlords and property managers must prepare for potential damage to buildings, including roofs, windows, and landscaping. Swift assessment is needed for insurance claims.
• Tenant Communication: Maintaining communication with tenants regarding safety and service disruptions is crucial for tenant relations and minimizing liability.
• Utility Reliability: Businesses operating out of rented spaces will be heavily reliant on landlords addressing power restoration and potential structural issues promptly.

Agriculture & Food Producers (agriculture)

• Crop & Livestock Losses: Farms and ranches face direct threats of crop destruction from high winds and flooding. Livestock may be at risk from drowning or exposure. Immediate protective measures are essential.
• Infrastructure Damage: Irrigation systems, greenhouses, and farm buildings can be severely damaged, disrupting production for weeks or months.
• Transportation Halts: The inability to transport produce to markets or processing facilities can lead to spoilage and significant financial losses. Access to major highways may be compromised.

Healthcare Providers (healthcare)

• Power Dependency: Hospitals, clinics, and private practices relying on electricity will face critical infrastructure failure if backup generators are inadequate or unavailable. This impacts life-support systems, diagnostic equipment, and patient records.
• Patient Access: Patients may be unable to reach appointments due to hazardous travel conditions or facility closures, requiring telehealth alternatives or rescheduling.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Pharmacies and medical supply providers may experience delays in receiving essential medications and equipment.

Second-Order Effects

The immediate impact of widespread power outages and transportation disruptions will cascade through Hawaii's island economy. Power failures not only halt business operations directly but also cripple essential services like communication networks, water purification, and refrigerated storage. This paralysis, occurring in conjunction with potential flooding and transport blockages, can lead to a shortage of essential goods, including food and medical supplies, increasing prices and creating localized shortages in the days following the storm. For tourism operators, prolonged disruptions can lead to significant reputational damage and a dip in bookings that extends beyond the immediate weather event, impacting the broader hospitality employment sector.

What to Do

Small Business Operators (small-operator)

• Activate Business Continuity Plans (BCP): If you have a BCP, execute it now. This includes plans for communication, remote work, temporary relocation, and securing physical assets. If you don't have one, create a skeletal version immediately, focusing on critical functions and communication.
• Secure Assets: For businesses with physical inventory or equipment vulnerable to water or wind damage, implement immediate protective measures. This may include sandbagging, moving stock to higher ground or secure areas, and boarding up windows.
• Communicate with Staff and Customers: Inform your team about operational status, safety guidelines, and expected work arrangements. Update customers via social media, email, or website banners regarding closures or service disruptions.
• Contact Utilities and Insurance: Report any property damage or prolonged power outages to relevant authorities and your insurance provider. Document damage with photos and videos as soon as it is safe to do so.

Tourism Operators (tourism-operator)

• Prioritize Guest Safety: Ensure all guests are informed of safety procedures. Provide clear communication channels for emergencies and assist with any necessary evacuations or relocations.
• Manage Bookings: Proactively contact upcoming guests to inform them of potential disruptions and offer flexible rescheduling or cancellation policies. Secure your properties against wind and water damage.
• Assess Property Damage: Conduct immediate post-storm assessments of all facilities, including outdoor areas, to identify and mitigate any hazards. Prioritize repairs that impact guest experience and safety.

Real Estate Owners (real-estate)

• Conduct Rapid Damage Assessments: Once conditions are safe, perform thorough inspections of all properties, especially roofs, windows, and drainage systems. Document all damage with photographic evidence.
• Communicate with Tenants: Provide tenants with updates on utility status, safety hazards, and expected repair timelines. Establish clear points of contact for reporting damage.
• File Insurance Claims: Initiate the insurance claim process immediately upon identifying any damage that exceeds your deductible.

Agriculture & Food Producers (agriculture)

• Protect Livestock and Crops: Move livestock to secure, elevated shelter. Implement emergency measures to protect high-value crops from wind and water damage, if feasible and safe.
• Secure Farm Infrastructure: Inspect and secure barns, greenhouses, irrigation systems, and any essential farm equipment. Prioritize repairs to critical infrastructure to minimize future losses.
• Check Transportation Access: Monitor road conditions and work with transport providers to assess when logistics can resume. Communicate any potential delays to buyers.

Healthcare Providers (healthcare)

• Verify Backup Power: Ensure all backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are fully functional and adequately fueled for extended outages. Test critical life-support and diagnostic equipment.
• Implement Telehealth: Maximize telehealth capabilities to see patients remotely where possible, reducing the need for travel and maintaining patient care continuity.
• Secure Supplies: Confirm stock levels for essential medications, medical supplies, and backup water. Communicate with suppliers regarding potential delivery delays.

Action Details:

Small business operators should immediately activate their emergency preparedness and business continuity plans. This includes securing physical assets, communicating operational status to staff and customers, and assessing potential infrastructure vulnerabilities. For those without a formal plan, prioritize critical communications and asset protection to mitigate immediate financial losses and ensure staff safety. Begin documenting any damages for insurance claims as soon as it is safe to do so. Tourism operators must proactively manage guest communications regarding potential service disruptions and safety protocols. Real estate owners should conduct rapid damage assessments and communicate with tenants, while healthcare providers must verify backup power systems and leverage telehealth to maintain patient care.