Business Disruption Imminent: Storm Impacts Critical Operations Statewide

A severe weather system is currently impacting Hawaii, bringing high winds, heavy rainfall, and significant power outages affecting thousands of residents and businesses. The state government has announced closures, and further disruptions are predicted into Monday. This event necessitates immediate business continuity planning and response.

The Change

As of Sunday, February 9, 2026, strong winds have swept across the Hawaiian Islands, causing widespread disruption. The most critical immediate impact is the loss of electrical power to thousands of homes and businesses, with additional storm activity forecast to continue through Monday. The state government has officially shut down non-essential services, underscoring the severity of the situation. This is not merely an inconvenience; it represents a direct threat to ongoing business operations, supply chain integrity, and potentially physical assets.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators (small-operator)

• Immediate Operational Halt: Businesses relying on electricity for point-of-sale systems, lighting, refrigeration, and essential equipment are forced to cease or significantly curtail operations. This directly translates to lost revenue and potential spoilage of inventory (e.g., restaurants, retail shops).
• Increased Operating Costs: Extended power outages require backup generator fuel or manual workarounds. Post-storm, businesses may face costs related to damage assessment, repair, and potentially increased insurance premiums.
• Staffing Challenges: Employees may be unable to commute due to storm conditions, road closures, or personal safety concerns, leading to staffing shortages during recovery.

Real Estate Owners (real-estate)

• Property Damage Assessment: Owners must immediately assess buildings for wind damage, water intrusion, and structural integrity. This requires prompt inspection to mitigate further damage and ensure tenant safety.
• Tenant Communication & Support: Landlords need to communicate effectively with tenants regarding building safety, availability of essential services (where possible), and expected timelines for repairs.
• Infrastructure Strain: Widespread outages can strain local utility infrastructure, potentially leading to longer restoration times and requiring owners to consider alternative power solutions for critical building systems.

Tourism Operators (tourism-operator)

• Travel Disruptions: Airlines may cancel flights due to weather conditions, impacting arrivals and departures. This directly affects hotel occupancy rates and tour bookings. Hawaiian Airlines is a key provider to monitor for cancellations.
• Guest Experience Degradation: Hotels and vacation rentals without power face significant challenges providing amenities, air conditioning, and other essential services, leading to guest dissatisfaction and potential compensation claims.
• Activity Cancellations: Outdoor tours and excursions (e.g., snorkeling, hiking, boat trips) are likely to be canceled due to safety concerns associated with high winds and rough seas, leading to direct revenue loss.

Agriculture & Food Producers (agriculture)

• Crop & Livestock Risk: High winds can cause significant physical damage to crops, greenhouses, and farm structures. Livestock may also be at risk from exposure and lack of water or power for ventilation systems (e.g., poultry farms).
• Supply Chain Interruption: Perishable goods in storage may spoil if refrigeration fails. Transportation of goods to markets or export facilities can be delayed due to road closures and port disruptions, impacting both local supply and export revenues.
• Water System Strain: Remote agricultural areas might rely on powered pumps for irrigation or water supply, which could be disrupted.

Healthcare Providers (healthcare)

• Patient Care Continuity: Hospitals and clinics without reliable power face critical challenges. Life-support systems, diagnostic equipment (e.g., MRI, CT scanners), and electronic health records are dependent on electricity. Backup generators are essential but may have finite fuel.
• Telehealth Interruption: Internet and power outages will disrupt telehealth services, limiting access to care for patients who rely on remote consultations. This also impacts remote patient monitoring.
• Medication Adherence & Storage: Refrigeration of sensitive medications and vaccines is critical. Power outages threaten the efficacy and safety of these supplies.

Second-Order Effects

The immediate impact of power outages extends beyond basic inconvenience. For Hawaii's island economy, these disruptions create cascading effects:

• Power Outages → Spoilage/Damage → Increased Insurance Claims → Higher Premiums for Businesses: Widespread damage to inventory and property leads to a surge in insurance claims. Insurers, facing increased payouts, will inevitably raise premiums for businesses and homeowners across the state, increasing the cost of doing business and living in Hawaii.

• Storm Disruption → Reduced Visitor Arrivals → Lower Tourism Revenue → Strain on Service Sector Employment: Flight cancellations and damaged infrastructure deter tourists. This leads to decreased demand for hotel rooms, restaurants, and tours, potentially resulting in temporary layoffs or reduced hours for workers in the hospitality sector.

• Infrastructure Damage → Extended Repair Times → Increased Import Dependency & Costs: If critical infrastructure like ports or roads are damaged, the already high costs of importing goods will further increase due to delays and potential rerouting, impacting inventory availability and prices for virtually all goods.

What to Do

Given the high urgency and immediate impact of this storm, businesses must take swift action to mitigate risks.

Small Business Operators

Act Now: Implement your emergency preparedness plan immediately. This includes:

1. Secure Premises: Board up windows and doors if necessary. Secure outdoor furniture and equipment.
2. Protect Inventory: Move vulnerable inventory to safer locations or use backup cooling/power if available. Document inventory before and after the storm for insurance claims.
3. Communicate with Staff: Ensure employees have a clear understanding of safety protocols, work expectations during outages, and how to report their status.
4. Secure Financials: Ensure critical data is backed up off-site or in the cloud. Have emergency cash reserves if possible.
5. Contact Insurance: Document all damages with photos and videos as soon as it is safe to do so. Notify your insurance provider proactively.

Real Estate Owners

Act Now: Prioritize property safety and tenant communication.

1. Inspect Immediately: Once safe, conduct a thorough inspection of all properties for structural damage, water intrusion, and electrical hazards.
2. Coordinate Repairs: Engage pre-vetted contractors immediately for emergency repairs to prevent further damage.
3. Communicate Clearly: Provide tenants with regular updates on building status, utility restoration, and safety advisories. Establish a clear point of contact for urgent issues.
4. Review Leases: Understand lease provisions related to force majeure events and tenant responsibilities during emergencies.

Tourism Operators

Act Now: Focus on guest safety, communication, and operational adjustments.

1. Monitor Travel Alerts: Stay updated on airline and inter-island ferry status. Communicate proactively with arriving and departing guests about potential disruptions.
2. Guest Welfare: Ensure hotels and accommodations have adequate backup power for essential services and communicate any service limitations to guests.
3. Cancel/Reschedule Safely: If tours or activities must be canceled, manage rescheduling and refund policies efficiently and empathetically.
4. Staff Briefing: Ensure all staff are informed about emergency procedures and guest communication protocols.

Agriculture & Food Producers

Act Now: Prioritize asset protection and assess critical resource needs.

1. Secure Assets: Protect crops, livestock, and farm structures from wind and water damage. Move vulnerable equipment or feed indoors if possible.
2. Manage Perishables: Assess refrigeration status. Implement backup power or contingency plans for food storage. Prioritize the distribution or preservation of high-value perishables if feasible.
3. Water & Power: Check the status of irrigation systems and water sources. Conserve water where possible.
4. Logistics Assessment: Contact transportation partners regarding potential delays and assess road conditions for future product movement.

Healthcare Providers

Act Now: Ensure patient safety and service continuity.

1. Activate Emergency Power: Ensure backup generators are operational and fuel supplies are sufficient. Test critical medical equipment that relies on backup power.
2. Patient Monitoring: Implement protocols for monitoring patients, especially those on life support or with critical conditions, during power outages. Consider patient transfers if facilities are compromised.
3. Telehealth Contingency: Alert patients to potential telehealth disruptions. Have alternative communication methods ready if internet services fail.
4. Medication & Supply Security: Secure all medications and sensitive supplies, especially temperature-controlled items, to prevent spoilage or loss.