South Maui Businesses Face Localized Delays: Piʻilani Highway Lane Closure on Jan 20

Localized traffic slowdowns are anticipated on Piʻilani Highway (Route 31) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will close the makai (towards the ocean) southbound lane near Keonekai Road (mileposts 5.6 to 5.8) for shoulder work. While one southbound lane will remain open, congestion is probable. This event, though short-lived, requires immediate logistical planning for businesses operating within or relying on access to this critical South Maui corridor.

Who's Affected

This temporary infrastructure maintenance will directly impact several key business sectors in Maui:

• Small Business Operators:

  • Impact: Restaurants, retail shops, and service providers located near the closure (e.g., along Keonekai Road or requiring access via Piʻilani Highway southbound) may experience delivery delays for supplies and goods. Staff commutes could be extended, potentially affecting opening hours or service availability. Customer access to brick-and-mortar locations could be hampered, leading to lost revenue. Perishable goods, like those for restaurants, are at risk of spoilage if delivery timelines are significantly extended.
  • Example: A restaurant expecting a produce delivery at 10 a.m. might receive it closer to 11:30 a.m. or later, impacting lunch prep.

• Tourism Operators:

  • Impact: Hotels, tour companies, and rental car agencies coordinating guest transportation or activity departures/arrivals in this area will likely face extended travel times. This could lead to missed tours, delayed check-ins, and diminished customer satisfaction. For vacation rental owners, guest arrivals and departures might be subject to delays.
  • Example: A tour departing from an area south of the closure requiring transit through the affected zone might be delayed by 30-60 minutes, potentially shortening the tour duration.

• Agriculture & Food Producers:

  • Impact: Businesses involved in the transport of agricultural products, including farms and food processing facilities, must account for potential delays. Perishable items are particularly vulnerable to spoilage if transit times are significantly extended. This could result in financial losses and reputational damage if orders are compromised.
  • Example: A farmer delivering fresh produce to a South Maui market could face delays that impact the freshness of their goods upon arrival.

• Real Estate Owners:

  • Impact: Property managers and landlords with commercial or residential tenants in the immediate vicinity should anticipate potential disruptions to tenant operations and employee commutes. While the direct impact is short-term, repeated intermittent closures or poor communication can affect the desirability of a location for businesses and employees.

Second-Order Effects

Hawaii's infrastructure constraints mean even short-term closures can have cascading effects:

• Localized Congestion → Increased Fuel Consumption → Higher Operating Costs: Minor traffic jams near Keonekai Road will lead to vehicles idling longer, increasing fuel consumption for delivery trucks and employees. This slightly elevates operating costs for small businesses already managing tight margins. This localized increase in fuel use, compounded by other minor disruptions across the islands, contributes to overall higher transportation expenses.
• Delivery Delays → Reduced Inventory Availability → Customer Dissatisfaction: If perishable goods are delayed, businesses may face stockouts or need to discard spoiled items (higher waste costs). This can lead to frustrated customers who cannot access desired products or services, potentially impacting repeat business and online reviews. For tourism, a delayed transfer can mean a missed flight connection or a shortened vacation activity.

What to Do

Given the immediate timeframe of this closure, proactive adjustments are necessary for affected businesses.

For Small Business Operators:

1. Review Delivery Schedules: Contact your suppliers immediately. If you have scheduled deliveries between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on January 20th, confirm their route and expected arrival time. If possible, reschedule for earlier or later in the day. If rescheduling is not feasible, understand the potential delay and its impact on your operations (e.g., food prep for restaurants, inventory stocking for retail).
2. Communicate with Staff: Inform your employees about the potential for longer commutes. Advise them to leave earlier if possible or to notify management immediately if they anticipate a significant delay. Consider flexible start times for that day if viable for your business model.
3. Manage Customer Expectations: If your business relies on customer foot traffic or appointments, post clear signage regarding potential localized delays and advise customers to allow extra travel time, especially if they are coming from north of the closure.

For Tourism Operators:

1. Adjust Transportation Timings: Reconfirm pick-up and drop-off times for guests utilizing transportation services that will traverse Piʻilani Highway during the closure window. Build in buffer time (at least 30-60 minutes) for guest transfers, airport runs, and activity departures/arrivals.
2. Update Guest Communications: Proactively inform guests booked for activities or requiring transportation during the affected period about the potential for minor delays due to scheduled road work. Set realistic expectations.
3. Monitor Traffic Updates: Stay informed via local traffic reports or HDOT advisories on January 20th for any changes to the closure schedule or severity of congestion.

For Agriculture & Food Producers:

1. Reroute or Reschedule Deliveries: If delivering to locations south of Keonekai Road that require transit through the affected southbound lane, consider alternative routes if practical. If not, reschedule deliveries for before 8 a.m. or after 1 p.m. to avoid the closure window.
2. Assess Perishability Risk: For any deliveries within the window, confirm the transit time and the perishability of the goods. If the risk of spoilage is high, prioritize rescheduling.

For Real Estate Owners:

1. Inform Tenants: Communicate this scheduled closure to commercial tenants in the affected area. Advise them to relay information to their employees and delivery partners. This proactive communication demonstrates good property management.