Upcountry Maui Businesses Face Continued Operational Risk Amid Incomplete Power Restoration
While significant progress has been made in restoring power following overnight weather-related outages, approximately 230 customers in Upcountry Maui, specifically in the Pi‘iholo area, are still without electricity. Crews are actively working to repair a broken pole and downed lines, but a definitive timeline for full restoration has not been provided. This ongoing situation poses a sustained operational risk for businesses reliant on consistent power.
The Change
As of the latest update, power has been restored to about 80% of customers affected by overnight strong winds and heavy rain impacting the Upcountry Maui region. Specifically, power was restored to approximately 960 customers in parts of Makawao around 6:45 a.m. today. However, a remaining pocket of about 230 customers in the Pi‘iholo area are still experiencing an outage due to critical infrastructure damage (a broken pole and downed lines). The repair efforts are ongoing, but the duration for restoring these final customers remains uncertain.
Who's Affected
Small Business Operators: Businesses in the Pi‘iholo area and surrounding affected zones must contend with the potential for interrupted operations. This includes risks of spoiled inventory for food and beverage establishments, disruption to point-of-sale systems, and potential loss of customer appointments or sales. The extended nature of pocket outages can also lead to increased costs for generators or business downtime.
Tourism Operators: Hotels, vacation rentals, and tour providers in the affected areas face challenges in maintaining guest services. Essential amenities like HVAC, lighting, and internet connectivity can be compromised, leading to guest dissatisfaction. For tour operators, the ability to coordinate logistics and operate from affected base locations could be hampered.
Agriculture & Food Producers: Farmers and food producers utilizing climate-controlled storage, refrigeration, or powered processing equipment in the Pi‘iholo area are at risk of significant product loss. Extended outages can impact crop viability and food safety protocols.
Healthcare Providers: Private practices, clinics, and telehealth providers in the affected region face critical challenges. The reliance on stable electricity for essential medical equipment, patient monitoring, and electronic health records makes backup power solutions paramount. Any prolonged outage could necessitate the suspension of services or transfer of patients.
Real Estate Owners: While not directly impacted by the outage unless their properties are within the Pi‘iholo zone, property owners and managers should be aware of potential impacts on tenants. Lease agreements might include clauses regarding essential services, and repeated outages could affect tenant retention and property value in the long term.
Second-Order Effects
Ongoing power insecurities in localized or broader areas due to weather events or infrastructure failures can exacerbate Hawaii's existing economic vulnerabilities. For instance, frequent or prolonged outages for businesses, particularly those in tourism and food service, can lead to increased operating costs if backup generators are required. These higher costs may then be passed on to consumers through price increases, contributing to inflation and potentially impacting the overall competitiveness of Hawaii's tourism sector. Furthermore, businesses unable to maintain consistent operations due to unreliable power may be less likely to invest in expansion or hire additional staff, indirectly affecting local employment and wage growth.
What to Do
Small Business Operators
Develop or review your business continuity plan specifically addressing power outages. Assess your inventory for perishability and consider purchasing or leasing backup generators if you haven't already. Communicate proactively with your staff regarding potential operational changes and explore options for remote work or staggered shifts if feasible. Review insurance policies for coverage related to business interruption due to power loss.
Tourism Operators
Ensure that guest communication channels are robust to inform visitors of any service disruptions. Verify the functionality and fuel levels of backup generators for critical guest services (e.g., lighting, elevators, internet). Consider offering service credits or adjusted pricing for guests significantly affected by amenity outages. Coordinate closely with utility providers for the most current restoration estimates.
Agriculture & Food Producers
Inspect all climate-controlled storage and processing equipment. Ensure any backup power systems are operational and adequately fueled. Prioritize high-value or perishable goods in terms of protection and monitor weather forecasts for any approaching storms that could prolong current or future disruptions.
Healthcare Providers
Confirm that all backup power systems (e.g., generators, UPS) for critical medical equipment and patient care areas are fully functional and regularly tested. Review emergency protocols for patient safety and data integrity during power disruptions. Maintain clear communication lines with utility companies and regulatory bodies regarding essential service needs.
Real Estate Owners
For properties within or near the affected areas, check with tenants about any impacts on their operations. If you provide backup power to any units or common areas, ensure these systems are operational. Document any instances of significant service disruption as this may inform future lease negotiations or property management strategies.
ACTION DETAILS
Monitor the Maui Electric Company website and local news outlets for official updates on power restoration timelines in Upcountry Maui. If power is not fully restored within the next 24 hours or if further weather events threaten additional outages, then businesses in affected zones should activate their contingency plans, including the use of backup generators and inventory management strategies to prevent spoilage or operational shutdowns.
