Severe Weather Through Monday Disrupts Operations & Raises Immediate Safety Concerns for Hawaii Businesses

Hawaii businesses must immediately assess and adjust operations in response to severe weather expected to impact the islands through Monday, February 10th. Dangerous surf, heavy rainfall, and strong winds pose immediate risks to property, supply chains, and staff safety, necessitating urgent contingency planning.

The Change

A multi-hazard weather system is forecast to bring hazardous conditions to all Hawaiian Islands from Saturday through Monday. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for high surf, flash floods, and strong winds. Specific impacts include:

• High Surf: Dangerous surf conditions are expected along north and west-facing shores, with potential for significant wave run-up and coastal erosion. National Weather Service Honolulu
• Heavy Rainfall: Widespread heavy rainfall is anticipated, leading to potential flash flooding, landslides, and hazardous driving conditions.
• Strong Winds: Damaging wind gusts are possible, which could cause power outages and damage to infrastructure and property.

These conditions are expected to peak by Sunday and begin to subside Monday, but the immediate timeframe requires proactive measures.

Who's Affected

Tourism Operators

• Hotels & Vacation Rentals: Expect cancellations and potential damage from high surf and wind. Property managers should prepare for emergency communications with guests and monitor coastal areas for erosion or inundation. Consider offering flexible rebooking policies. Hawaii Tourism Authority
• Tour Companies: Outdoor activities, boat tours, and helicopter excursions are highly likely to be canceled. Proactive communication with booked clients is crucial, and rescheduling or refund policies should be clearly communicated. Staff safety during setup and takedown of equipment also becomes a higher risk.
• Hospitality Businesses (Restaurants, Retail): Foot traffic will likely decrease significantly due to hazardous travel conditions and public advisories. Businesses in flood-prone areas or those with outdoor seating need to secure property and consider temporary closures during peak storm periods.

Agriculture & Food Producers

• Farms & Ranches: Heavy rains can lead to crop damage, soil erosion, and flooding of fields. Livestock will require additional shelter and monitoring. Access to farms may be restricted by flooded roads, impacting harvests and delivery schedules. Hawaii Department of Agriculture
• Aquaculture: Pond integrity could be compromised by extreme weather. Operations should secure any vulnerable infrastructure.
• Export Logistics: Inter-island and outbound shipping could face delays due to port closures or rough seas, impacting perishable goods.

Small Business Operators

• Restaurants & Retail: Similar to hospitality, expect reduced customer traffic. Secure outdoor signage, patio furniture, and any façade elements that could be dislodged by high winds. Ensure staff have safe travel routes to and from work.
• Service Businesses: Businesses relying on client appointments outdoors or travel will likely face cancellations. Consider offering remote service options if feasible or flexible rescheduling.

Real Estate Owners

• Property Managers: Conduct pre-storm inspections of properties, particularly older structures or those in known flood or wind-prone areas. Ensure drainage systems are clear. Advise tenants of safety precautions and emergency contact information.
• Coastal Property Owners: High surf and potential storm surge present a significant erosion and inundation risk. Secure all outdoor assets and monitor coastal defenses. FEMA - Preparing for Hurricanes
• Developers: Construction sites must secure materials and equipment to prevent them from becoming hazards. Project timelines may be delayed due to unsafe working conditions and access issues. [

Second-Order Effects

Severe weather events in Hawaii exacerbate existing logistical challenges. Disruptions to inter-island and intra-island transportation due to high surf and flooding can lead to immediate shortages of perishable goods, increasing costs for affected businesses like restaurants and retailers. This can then ripple into reduced consumer spending as prices rise and the availability of goods becomes uncertain. Furthermore, property damage from high winds and flooding necessitates costly repairs, diverting capital that could otherwise be used for expansion or operational improvements, potentially delaying necessary infrastructure upgrades and impacting long-term business resilience.

What to Do

Tourism Operators

• Action: Immediately review cancellation and rebooking policies. Communicate proactively with guests regarding potential disruptions and safety advisories. Secure all outdoor areas and equipment. Ensure staff are briefed on emergency procedures.
• Timeline: Through Monday, February 10th.

Agriculture & Food Producers

• Action: Secure crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure. Monitor weather alerts for flood and wind warnings. Adjust harvest and delivery schedules as necessary. Assess road accessibility to fields and facilities.
• Timeline: Through Monday, February 10th.

Small Business Operators

• Action: Secure outdoor assets (signage, furniture). Review employee travel safety and consider flexible work arrangements or temporary closures if conditions become hazardous. Prepare for potential supply chain delays.
• Timeline: Through Monday, February 10th.

Real Estate Owners

• Action: Inspect properties for potential vulnerabilities, clear drainage systems, and secure outdoor items. Notify tenants of safety precautions and provide emergency contact information. For coastal properties, implement erosion mitigation measures if possible and monitor sea levels closely.
• Timeline: Through Monday, February 10th.

Action Details:

All impacted roles should prioritize staff and customer safety. For tourism and hospitality, offer flexible rescheduling or cancellations to mitigate negative reviews and customer dissatisfaction. Agriculture and food producers should document any crop or infrastructure damage for potential insurance claims or disaster relief applications. Small businesses should focus on securing physical assets to prevent damage and liability. Real estate owners must ensure properties are as watertight and wind-resistant as possible, and that tenants are informed and prepared.