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North Shore & Maui Businesses Face Extended Disruptions as Power Restoration Underway

·10 min read·⚡ Act Now

Executive Summary

Hawaiian Electric is initiating power restoration on Oahu's North Shore following proactive circuit deactivations due to flooding, while 170 customers on Maui remain without power. Businesses heavily reliant on electricity should prepare for potential service interruptions impacting operations.

Action Required

High Priority

Continued power outages without restoration updates can lead to significant business losses, spoilage of goods, and inability to serve customers.

Small business operators on Oahu's North Shore should activate emergency power plans and assess inventory for spoilage *immediately*. Tourism operators must communicate with guests and prepare for potential booking adjustments within the next 24-48 hours. Healthcare providers should verify backup generator readiness and coordinate patient care contingencies within the next 12 hours. Ensure perishable agricultural products are secured and document any potential losses within the next 24 hours. Real estate owners should distribute information to tenants regarding expected restoration timelines and their rights/responsibilities within the next 12 hours.

Who's Affected
Small Business OperatorsReal Estate OwnersTourism OperatorsAgriculture & Food ProducersHealthcare Providers
Ripple Effects
  • →Power outages → Reduced business operations → Decreased local spending → Supply chain strain
  • →Extended power disruptions → Deterrent to tourism → Lower occupancy rates → Reduced demand for hospitality services
  • →Business closures → Labor disruption → Potential wage stagnation for affected sectors
  • →Loss of perishable goods → Increased food prices for consumers
Detailed view of electrical components in a power substation under a clear blue sky.
Photo by Phil Evenden

North Shore & Maui Businesses Face Extended Disruptions as Power Restoration Underway

Executive Brief

Hawaiian Electric has begun the process of assessing and restoring power circuits on Oahu's North Shore that were proactively shut down due to flooding. Simultaneously, a significant number of customers on Maui continue to experience outages.

  • Small Business Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui): Expect continued operational downtime, potential loss of perishable goods, and delayed customer service. Implement backup power plans and communicate proactively with staff and customers.
  • Tourism Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui): Coordinate with guests regarding potential disruptions to amenities (AC, Wi-Fi, lighting). Prepare for cancellations and adjust booking policies.
  • Healthcare Providers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui): Ensure critical care facilities have robust backup power. Assess patient needs and consider alternative arrangements for those requiring continuous electricity.
  • Agriculture & Food Producers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui): Monitor temperature-sensitive goods in storage. Secure backup power for critical equipment like pumps and refrigeration.
  • Real Estate Owners (North Shore, Oahu & Maui): Properties without reliable backup power may face tenant dissatisfaction and potential damage claims for spoiled goods.

Action: Small business operators on Oahu's North Shore and Maui should activate emergency power plans and assess inventory for spoilage immediately. Tourism operators must communicate with guests and prepare for potential booking adjustments within the next 24-48 hours.

The Change

As of March 21, 2026, Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has commenced the restoration process for power circuits on Oahu's North Shore. These circuits were intentionally de-energized to mitigate risks associated with severe flooding in the area. While HECO has begun assessments, the timeline for full restoration for all affected customers, particularly on the North Shore, remains uncertain and is contingent on the completion of safety inspections and repair work. Concurrently, HECO reports that approximately 170 customers on Maui are still without power as of the latest update, indicating ongoing or recently resolved localized outages on that island.

Who's Affected?

Small Business Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui)

Businesses operating in the affected areas, especially those on the North Shore of Oahu and parts of Maui, are most directly impacted. Businesses relying on consistent electricity for refrigeration (restaurants, grocery stores, florists), point-of-sale systems (retail, food service), lighting, and general operations face significant disruptions. The proactive de-energization on the North Shore means extended periods without power, leading to potential spoilage of inventory, lost sales, and inability to serve customers. Businesses without backup generators are particularly vulnerable. The communication and coordination challenges will also strain staff resources.

Tourism Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui)

Hotels, vacation rentals, tour operators, and associated hospitality businesses face immediate challenges. Guests may experience disruptions to essential services like air conditioning, hot water, lighting, and Wi-Fi. This can lead to decreased guest satisfaction, negative reviews, and potential booking cancellations or requests for refunds. Properties that cannot provide essential amenities will struggle to maintain service standards. Tour operators may need to cancel or reschedule activities reliant on power or transportation.

Healthcare Providers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui)

Clinics, private practices, and elder care facilities that depend on electricity for life-support equipment, refrigeration of medications, diagnostic tools, and electronic health records are at high risk. While many facilities maintain backup generators, the duration of outages can test the limits of these systems. Telehealth providers may face disruptions to internet connectivity, impacting their ability to reach remote patients. The immediate concern is the continuity of care for vulnerable patients.

Agriculture & Food Producers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui)

Farms, ranches, and food processing facilities reliant on electricity for irrigation pumps, climate control in greenhouses, refrigeration, and processing equipment face potential losses. Crop spoilage due to lack of climate control or refrigeration failure, and the inability to process or store harvested goods, can lead to significant financial setbacks. Aquaculture operations also depend heavily on power for aeration systems.

Real Estate Owners (North Shore, Oahu & Maui)

Landlords and property managers in affected zones must contend with tenant issues. Commercial tenants may face business interruption and seek rent abatement. Residential tenants could experience significant discomfort and inconvenience, potentially leading to lease breaches or demands for compensation, especially if backup power solutions are inadequate or unavailable. Properties with refrigeration or climate-sensitive businesses are at higher risk of damage claims.

Second-Order Effects

Extended power outages on Oahu's North Shore, especially if they persist beyond immediate restoration efforts, can create a cascading effect on local businesses and the broader economy. The inability of local restaurants and shops to operate fully due to power dependency can lead to reduced local spending, impacting the supply chain for goods and services. This reduction in economic activity, coupled with potential damage to perishable inventory among food producers and retailers, can place immense financial strain on small businesses. Furthermore, prolonged disruptions can deter tourists from visiting heavily impacted areas, leading to decreased occupancy rates for accommodations and reduced demand for tour services, creating a negative feedback loop for the island's tourism-dependent economy.

What to Do

For Small Business Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui):

  1. Activate Emergency Power Plans: If you have backup generators, ensure they are operational and fueled. If not, assess if temporary generator rental is feasible for critical equipment (refrigeration, POS systems).
  2. Inventory Assessment & Protection: Immediately assess all perishable inventory. Prioritize moving critical items to any available cold storage or secure alternative cold storage if possible. Document any losses for potential insurance claims.
  3. Communication: Inform staff about operational status and expectations. Update customers via social media, email, or website banners about service disruptions and estimated reopening times.
  4. Financial Review: Monitor sales impact and consider short-term cash flow management strategies. Reach out to your bank or lenders if significant financial strain is anticipated.

For Tourism Operators (North Shore, Oahu & Maui):

  1. Guest Communication: Proactively inform guests of potential service disruptions (e.g., limited AC, Wi-Fi outages, no TV). Provide regular updates as HECO's restoration efforts progress.
  2. Contingency Planning: Have a plan for guests who may need to relocate if essential services become unavailable for an extended period. Review cancellation and rebooking policies and communicate them clearly.
  3. Amenity Prioritization: If you have backup power, prioritize essential guest amenities like lighting, safety systems, and basic connectivity.

For Healthcare Providers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui):

  1. Backup Power Verification: Independently verify the readiness and fuel levels of all backup generators. Conduct load tests if possible and within safety protocols.
  2. Patient Care Coordination: Identify patients critically dependent on electricity. Arrange for their transfer to facilities with guaranteed power or provide specialized portable equipment if available and safe.
  3. Telehealth Preparedness: Advise patients to have backup communication methods or to reschedule non-urgent telehealth appointments if connectivity is unreliable.

For Agriculture & Food Producers (North Shore, Oahu & Maui):

  1. Critical Equipment Monitoring: Ensure backup power is ready for essential equipment such as refrigeration units, freezers, pumps, and ventilation systems.
  2. Inventory Management: Implement strategies to preserve perishable goods, such as pooling resources for portable generators or transferring high-value inventory to unaffected areas if feasible.
  3. Field Operations Assessment: Evaluate weather-related damage to crops and infrastructure. Postpone non-essential field activities that rely on powered equipment.

For Real Estate Owners (North Shore, Oahu & Maui):

  1. Tenant Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with all tenants, especially commercial ones. Document all communications regarding operational status.
  2. Lease Review: Understand your lease obligations regarding service provision and potential force majeure clauses. Advise tenants of any relevant provisions.
  3. Property Assessment: For commercial properties, assess damage to fixtures or inventory if backup power failed. For residential, document any tenant complaints or requests related to prolonged outages.

Action Details

Small business operators on Oahu's North Shore should activate emergency power plans and assess inventory for spoilage immediately. Tourism operators must communicate with guests and prepare for potential booking adjustments within the next 24-48 hours. Healthcare providers should verify backup generator readiness and coordinate patient care contingencies within the next 12 hours. Ensure perishable agricultural products are secured and document any potential losses within the next 24 hours. Real estate owners should distribute information to tenants regarding expected restoration timelines and their rights/responsibilities within the next 12 hours.

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