Maui Businesses Face Widespread Disruption from Approaching Kona Storm
A powerful kona storm is forecast to approach the Hawaiian Islands, bringing periods of hazardous weather expected to impact all islands through the weekend, starting Friday, March 14, 2026. This weather system poses a significant risk to business operations, supply chains, and personnel safety across Hawaii.
The Change
A strong kona low-pressure system is predicted to move near the state, generating prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, high surf, potential flash flooding, and gusty winds. These conditions are expected to persist from Friday through Sunday, March 16, creating hazardous travel and impacting outdoor operations. The Maui Department of Transportation has issued advisories for potential road closures due to flooding and debris. Maui Now
Who's Affected
Small Business Operators
Immediate Impact: Expect reduced customer traffic as residents and visitors heed weather advisories. Potential for temporary closures due to hazardous conditions or employee safety concerns. Water damage and wind damage to inventories and property are significant risks, particularly for businesses located in low-lying or exposed areas. Increased operational costs may arise from temporary power outages requiring generators or from necessary storm-proofing measures.
Tourism Operators
Immediate Impact: Air Travel: Significant flight delays and cancellations are highly probable, impacting both arrivals and departures. Accommodations: Hotels and vacation rentals should prepare for guest disruptions, potential cancellations, and increased requests for assistance. Tours and Activities: All outdoor tour operators (snorkel trips, ziplines, hiking tours) face likely postponements or cancellations. Coastal resorts and businesses should monitor high surf advisories, which can impact beach access and guest safety.
Agriculture & Food Producers
Immediate Impact: Heavy rainfall can lead to crop damage, soil erosion, and waterlogging, especially for sensitive crops. Harvesting operations may be halted for extended periods. Livestock may require additional shelter and care. Coastal aquaculture operations could be exposed to high wave energy and storm surge. Transportation of goods to market will be severely hampered by road conditions and potential closures.
Real Estate Owners
Immediate Impact: Properties, particularly those with older infrastructure or in flood-prone areas, are at risk of water damage from heavy rain and potential coastal flooding due to high surf and storm surge. Landlords should ensure drainage systems are clear and communicate preparedness measures to tenants. For developers and construction businesses, work may need to be halted, leading to project delays and increased costs associated with weather-related work stoppages.
Second-Order Effects
The immediate impacts of hazardous weather are exacerbated by Hawaii's inherent logistical constraints. Disruptions to inter-island and mainland shipping and air cargo will likely lead to temporary shortages of goods and increased costs for businesses reliant on these supply lines. This could further strain the margins of small businesses and impact the availability and pricing of goods for consumers, potentially affecting the cost of living without immediate wage adjustments. For tourism operators, prolonged disruptions could lead to cancellations that negatively impact the already sensitive seasonal visitor numbers and overall sector revenue. The ripple effect extends to agriculture, where delayed harvests and disrupted distribution can create food supply vulnerabilities and increase prices for local consumers.
What to Do
Small Business Operators
Action: Implement your business continuity and disaster preparedness plan immediately. Secure all outdoor equipment and inventory. Review employee safety protocols and establish clear communication channels for staff regarding work status updates. Identify potential flood-prone areas around your business and take proactive measures. Monitor advisories from the National Weather Service Honolulu. If your business involves food service, reinforce sanitation and food safety protocols, and consider stocking essential supplies.
Tourism Operators
Action: Proactively communicate with guests about potential travel disruptions and offer flexible cancellation or rescheduling policies. Review and activate your emergency action plans for guest safety and property protection. Coordinate closely with airlines and ground transportation providers to anticipate and manage guest arrivals/departures. Ensure all staff are briefed on emergency procedures and communication protocols. Prepare for potential short-term staffing challenges if employees face travel difficulties.
Agriculture & Food Producers
Action: Secure all vulnerable crops, equipment, and facilities against wind and water damage. Ensure adequate drainage and implement erosion control measures where possible. For livestock, ensure they are in secure, dry shelter. Review harvesting schedules and prepare for potential delays. Contact your transportation providers to understand potential disruptions to your supply chain and adjust delivery schedules accordingly. Document any crop or property damage for potential future insurance claims.
Real Estate Owners
Action: Inspect and clear all drainage systems around properties to prevent water accumulation. Secure loose external items that could become projectiles in high winds. For coastal properties, monitor surf and tidal information closely and be prepared to implement evacuation or safety procedures if necessary. Communicate storm preparedness information and safety guidelines to all tenants well in advance of the storm's arrival. Ensure emergency contact information for maintenance and repair services is readily available.
Action Details
Small business operators should review their disaster preparedness plans now and action all necessary storm-proofing measures by Friday, March 14th, 2026, to mitigate potential property damage and operational downtime.
Tourism operators must immediately update their communication channels with guests and staff regarding potential itinerary changes and safety protocols, and review flexible cancellation policies to manage customer impact through Sunday, March 16th, 2026.
Agricultural producers should secure crops and livestock and adjust harvesting/transportation plans today to minimize losses before the storm peak on Saturday, March 15th, 2026.
Real estate owners need to clear drainage systems and secure property by Friday, March 14th, 2026, and closely monitor coastal conditions throughout the weekend.
