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—

Kona Storm Impacts: Prepare for Supply Chain Disruptions and Travel Cancellations by March 14

·10 min read·⚡ Act Now

Executive Summary

A powerful Kona storm is forecasted to impact Hawaii from Tuesday, March 10, through Saturday, March 14, posing significant risks to supply chains, travel, and potentially causing physical damage. Businesses must implement contingency plans immediately.

  • Small Business Operators: Expect inventory shortages, potential delivery delays, and increased operational costs.
  • Tourism Operators: Brace for flight cancellations, hotel booking disruptions, and reduced tour availability.
  • Agriculture/Food Producers: Anticipate harvest disruptions, potential crop damage, and challenging logistics.
  • Real Estate Owners: Be prepared for localized flooding, potential property damage, and accessibility issues.
  • Action: Implement storm preparedness plans before the end of the day, March 14.

Action Required

High PriorityBefore March 14

Businesses will face immediate supply chain disruptions, travel cancellations, and potential property damage if they do not prepare for the storm by the end of the week.

Small business operators should review and enact business continuity plans, secure vulnerable assets, communicate with suppliers about potential delays, and notify staff and customers of expected disruptions before March 14. Tourism operators must monitor advisories, communicate with guests, review cancellation policies, and secure properties. Agricultural producers need to secure crops and equipment, clear drainage, and plan for harvesting disruptions. Real estate owners should inspect properties, clear drainage, inform tenants, and prepare for access issues. Act by Saturday, March 14, to mitigate risks.

Who's Affected
Small Business OperatorsReal Estate OwnersTourism OperatorsAgriculture & Food Producers
Ripple Effects
  • →Disrupted inter-island shipping → delayed goods to shelves + potential agricultural spoilage → reduced localized economic activity
  • →Flight cancellations → reduced visitor arrivals → decreased demand at hotels/restaurants → strained business cash flows
  • →Increased operational costs for storm preparation/repair → reduced profit margins for businesses already facing supply chain vulnerabilities
  • →Systemic supply chain risks highlighted by weather events → potential deterrence of long-term investment
Dramatic storm clouds over palm trees in Hawaii, capturing the essence of a tropical landscape.
Photo by Jim Clark

Kona Storm Impacts: Prepare for Supply Chain Disruptions and Travel Cancellations by March 14

A powerful Kona storm is forecast to impact the Hawaiian Islands starting Tuesday evening, March 10, and is expected to persist through Saturday, March 14. This weather event will bring strong southerly winds, heavy rainfall, and increased surf, leading to a high probability of significant disruptions across various sectors of Hawaii's economy. Immediate operational adjustments and preparedness measures are critical to mitigate potential losses and ensure business continuity.

The Change

The National Weather Service has issued advisories and watches for potential heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the islands. Kona storms are characterized by winds shifting from the typical northeasterly trade winds to southerly or southwesterly winds. This shift can bring prolonged periods of rain, especially to leeward areas that are typically drier, increasing the risk of landslides and localized flooding. The storm is predicted to affect all major islands, with varying intensity expected throughout the week.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators (small-operator):

  • Supply Chain Disruptions: Expect significant delays and potential shortages in inventory due to disrupted inter-island and mainland shipping and flight schedules. Delivery of essential goods, raw materials, and finished products may be postponed.
  • Operational Costs: Increased risk of damage to property, potential for business interruption, and possible overtime pay if staff must work through adverse conditions.
  • Staffing: Employees may face challenges commuting to work due to road closures, flooding, and unsafe travel conditions, potentially leading to staffing shortages.

Tourism Operators (tourism-operator):

  • Travel Disruptions: Airlines are likely to experience cancellations and delays, impacting arriving and departing visitors. This will lead to booking complications and potential lost revenue.
  • Activity Cancellations: Outdoor tours, boat excursions, and other visitor activities may be canceled due to unsafe weather and sea conditions, directly impacting revenue streams.
  • Property Damage: Coastal properties, particularly vacation rentals, may be vulnerable to high surf and storm surge, necessitating immediate protective measures and potential guest relocation.

Agriculture & Food Producers (agriculture):

  • Crop Damage: Heavy rainfall and flooding can lead to crop loss, particularly for field crops. Wind damage can also affect orchards and greenhouses.
  • Harvesting & Logistics: Storm conditions will make it difficult or impossible to harvest crops, and transportation of goods to markets or processing facilities will be severely hampered.
  • Livestock Impact: Flooding and high winds can pose risks to livestock, requiring secure shelter and potentially increased feed logistics if pastures become unusable.

Real Estate Owners (real-estate):

  • Property Damage: Increased risk of localized flooding in low-lying areas, potential for roof damage from high winds, and impacts from flash landslides.
  • Accessibility Issues: Road closures due to flooding or debris can affect property access for tenants, maintenance crews, and potential buyers or renters.
  • Insurance Claims: Businesses and property owners may need to file insurance claims if damage occurs, leading to administrative burdens and potential premium increases.

Second-Order Effects

The immediate disruptions caused by the Kona storm will have cascading effects on Hawaii's isolated economy. For instance, disruptions to inter-island shipping and flight schedules will not only delay the delivery of goods to storefronts but also impact the timely return of perishable agricultural products to processing facilities. This creates a double whammy: reduced supply on shelves and potential spoilage at the farm level. Concurrently, flight cancellations will reduce visitor arrivals, decreasing demand at hotels and restaurants. This reduced localized economic activity could strain cash flows for small businesses already facing increased operational costs due to potential storm-related repairs or extended operating hours for preparedness. The vulnerability of the supply chain, exacerbated by such weather events, highlights systemic risks that could deter long-term investment in sectors heavily reliant on imports and timely logistics.

What to Do

Small Business Operators: Review and enact your business continuity and emergency preparedness plans. Secure outdoor furnishings and any equipment vulnerable to wind and rain. Communicate with suppliers regarding potential delivery delays and consider pre-ordering critical inventory if feasible by March 13. Ensure staff have clear safety protocols and communication channels. Notify customers of potential service disruptions.

Tourism Operators: Monitor airline and weather advisories closely. Communicate proactively with guests regarding potential flight changes and activity cancellations. Review cancellation policies and prepare for potential rebooking or refunds. Implement storm-proofing measures for properties, especially those in coastal or flood-prone areas.

Agriculture & Food Producers: Secure crops and equipment that could be damaged by wind or heavy rain. Ensure drainage systems are clear to mitigate flooding. Prepare contingency plans for harvesting and storage if fieldwork becomes impossible. Communicate with distributors about potential delays in product availability.

Real Estate Owners: Inspect properties for vulnerabilities to heavy rain and wind. Clear gutters and drainage areas. Secure any loose items on the property. Inform tenants of potential risks and post emergency contact information. Be prepared for potential temporary power outages or access issues.

For all affected roles, the critical window for implementing these preparatory actions is before the end of Saturday, March 14. Delaying these measures will significantly increase the risk of operational failures, financial losses, and potential safety hazards.

More from us

Related Articles

Gas station sign illuminated at night displaying fuel prices and ATM availability.
Infrastructure & Transportation

Island Businesses Face Immediate 10-15% Fuel Cost Increase; Budget Revisions and Pricing Adjustments Critical

·7 min read
Utility workers assess and fix downed power lines on a sunny day, ensuring safety and service restoration.
Infrastructure & Transportation

West Maui Businesses Face Ongoing Disruption Risk from Power Outages and PSPS Threats

·5 min read
Hawaiian airline plane captured flying against a clear dusk sky in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Infrastructure & Transportation

Hawaiian Airlines Fleet Decision Could Reduce Interisland Connectivity and Raise Operational Costs for Businesses

·5 min read