Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Disruptions on Maui Will Impede Prescription Access from Monday

Maui's healthcare ecosystem and its associated businesses face immediate operational shifts starting Monday, January 27, 2026, as Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi grapples with an open-ended strike by its unionized healthcare workers. While Kaiser Permanente's medical facilities on Maui will remain operational, a significant disruption to pharmacy services is anticipated across multiple locations. Patients and consumers relying on these pharmacies will need to secure alternative prescription fulfillment methods, impacting not only individual care but also the operational flow of businesses that depend on consistent patient access to medication.

Who's Affected

Healthcare Providers

Private practices, clinics, and independent pharmacies on Maui should anticipate an influx of patients seeking alternative prescription fulfillment and advice. This strike creates a ripple effect where patients who typically rely on Kaiser Permanente's integrated care model may find their usual medication access halted. This could lead to:

• Increased Patient Inquiries: Expect a surge in calls from patients attempting to transfer prescriptions, seek emergency refills, or understand their medication options.
• Potential Delays in Care: For patients who cannot quickly secure alternatives, adherence to treatment plans may be compromised, potentially leading to worsening conditions or the need for more intensive interventions down the line.
• Administrative Burden: Healthcare providers will need to dedicate additional staff time to managing prescription transfers, verifying insurance coverage, and navigating potential supply chain issues for alternative medications.
• Telehealth Strain: Providers offering telehealth services may see increased demand from patients seeking remote consultations to address prescription needs, potentially straining existing capacity.

Small Business Operators

Businesses on Maui, particularly those with customer bases that include Kaiser Permanente patients, will likely feel indirect impacts. This is especially true for retail operations that include pharmacies, or businesses that serve the general health and wellness needs of the community.

• Local Pharmacy Impact: Non-Kaiser pharmacies in proximity to affected Kaiser locations may experience a temporary increase in customer traffic, potentially straining inventory and staffing. This could create an opportunity for these businesses to capture new, albeit potentially temporary, clientele.
• Service Industry Strain: While not directly related to prescriptions, the broader disruption to essential services can create anxiety within the community, potentially affecting consumer spending patterns at restaurants and retail establishments.
• Employee Health: Kaiser Permanente employees involved in the strike will face financial uncertainty, which could indirectly impact local businesses through reduced discretionary spending.

Tourism Operators

For Maui's vital tourism industry, disruptions to essential services like pharmacies pose a significant challenge for visitors. Tourists who rely on Kaiser Permanente for their healthcare needs, including prescription medications, will face immediate obstacles.

• Visitor Medication Access: Tourists needing to refill prescriptions or obtain new ones will find their options severely limited. This can lead to visitor dissatisfaction, potential health crises during their stay, and increased stress on healthcare facilities that are not part of the Kaiser network.
• Reputational Risk: Negative experiences related to accessing essential healthcare services can impact visitor perceptions of Maui as a safe and well-supported destination. Word of mouth and online reviews could reflect these difficulties.
• Support Burden: Hotels and vacation rental operators may receive increased inquiries from guests facing medication shortages, requiring them to assist in finding alternative solutions, which could divert resources from core hospitality services.

Second-Order Effects

The immediate closure of Kaiser Permanente's pharmacies on Maui, while a direct impact on patients, sends ripples throughout the island's economy. This is exacerbated by the fact that Maui has a limited number of healthcare providers, and prescription fulfillment is a critical component of patient care.

• Portion of Tourism Revenue Shift: Disruption to visitor prescription access → decreased visitor satisfaction and potential early departures → lost revenue for hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
• Increased Pressure on Remaining Pharmacies: Closure of Kaiser Pharmacies → surge of patients to remaining non-Kaiser pharmacies → potential for stockouts and increased wait times → diminished public confidence in medication access island-wide.
• Healthcare Provider Strain Amplified: Strike → increased patient load on non-Kaiser providers → longer appointment wait times → delayed diagnoses and treatment → potential for acute care interventions.

What to Do

This strike is an ongoing event with immediate implications. Proactive planning is essential to mitigate negative consequences for affected roles.

For Healthcare Providers

Act Now: Begin implementing contingency plans immediately.

1. Patient Communication: Before Monday, proactively inform your patients, especially those known to use Kaiser pharmacies, about potential prescription access challenges. Provide them with a list of alternative non-Kaiser pharmacies on Maui and advise them to contact their insurance provider regarding out-of-network prescription coverage.
2. Prescription Transfer Protocols: Establish clear internal protocols for handling prescription transfer requests efficiently. This includes verifying insurance details for non-Kaiser prescriptions and understanding any formulary differences.
3. Telehealth Surge Preparedness: If you offer telehealth, ensure your platform and staffing are prepared for a potential increase in demand for consultations related to medication refills and adjustments.
4. Collaboration: Reach out to non-Kaiser pharmacies to understand their current inventory and capacity to handle new patients. Consider a coordinated approach for patients requiring urgent care.

For Small Business Operators

Watch: Monitor increased customer inquiries and adjust inventory if applicable.

1. Inventory Management (Retail Pharmacies): If your business includes a pharmacy, assess current inventory levels of commonly prescribed medications and consider proactive ordering to meet potential increased demand from non-Kaiser patients.
2. Customer Awareness: Be prepared for some customers to experience stress or shifts in their routines. Maintain a customer-centric approach and be patient. If your business is adjacent to a Kaiser facility, anticipate potential changes in foot traffic.
3. Internal Operations: Ensure your staff are aware of the potential disruptions and are equipped to handle any related customer inquiries with empathy.

For Tourism Operators

Act Now: Proactively communicate and offer support to guests.

1. Guest Communication: Inform guests via pre-arrival or upon-arrival communications about the potential impact on prescription access. Direct them to resources for alternative pharmacies or immediate medical assistance.
2. Partnership Development: Work with local non-Kaiser pharmacies to establish a clear referral process for your guests. Compile a list of pharmacies with their contact information and operating hours, including any that offer delivery services.
3. On-Site Support: Train front-desk staff to assist guests who express concerns about medication access. Have a clear escalation path for complex situations requiring medical advice or emergency services.
4. Contingency Planning: Develop a plan for assisting guests who may experience critical medication shortages, including identifying urgent care facilities or emergency room protocols for prescription needs.