West Maui Businesses Face Significant Operational Disruptions from Public Safety Power Shutoffs and Traffic Redesigns

Executive Brief: Hawaiian Electric's planned public safety power shutoffs are directly triggering significant traffic pattern alterations across West Maui. These changes, effective immediately and subject to unpredictable extensions, will impede logistics, delay deliveries, and potentially restrict customer access for a broad range of businesses within the affected zones. Proactive operational adjustments and clear customer communication are critical to mitigating service interruptions and financial impacts. Businesses operating in or servicing West Maui must immediately review and revise delivery routes, staffing plans, and customer communication strategies for the next 72 hours, and establish contingency plans for future shutoff events.

The Change: Immediate Traffic Pattern Alterations in West Maui

Starting Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is implementing adjusted traffic patterns in West Maui in response to ongoing public safety power shutoffs by Hawaiian Electric. These shutoffs are designed to prevent fires during high-risk weather conditions, but their implementation leads to traffic control measures, including potential road closures and rerouting. The duration and specific impact of these traffic changes are contingent upon the power shutoff schedule, which itself can be unpredictable and subject to rapid changes based on weather forecasts. This means businesses need to prepare for dynamic and potentially prolonged disruptions to their normal operational flow.

Who's Affected?

This situation directly impacts any business reliant on the consistent and predictable movement of goods, services, or people within West Maui:

Small Business Operators (Restaurants, Retail, Services)

• Delivery & Logistics: Restaurants and retail shops will face significant delays in receiving inventory, supplies, and outgoing deliveries. This can lead to stock shortages, spoiled goods, and missed sales opportunities. Expected delays could range from 30 minutes to over an hour per delivery depending on the specific route and time of day, accumulating substantial operational friction daily.
• Customer Access: Reduced road access may deter customers, leading to a direct drop in foot traffic and sales. Service-based businesses may find it challenging to reach client locations within their service windows.
• Staffing: Employees commuting into or out of West Maui may experience significant delays, potentially leading to late arrivals or no-shows, disrupting service delivery. Businesses should consider flexible work arrangements or providing advance notice of potential commute challenges.

Tourism Operators (Hotels, Tour Companies, Vacation Rentals)

• Guest Transportation: Tourists traveling to and from hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals may encounter traffic congestion, impacting airport transfers, car rental pickups, and general guest mobility around the island.
• Tour Operations: Tour companies operating in or departing from West Maui will need to adjust pick-up times and potentially alter tour routes, leading to shortened tours or cancellations. This can negatively impact customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
• Service Deliveries: Hotels and vacation rentals rely on consistent deliveries for food, beverages, laundry services, and maintenance supplies. Disruptions here can impact guest experience and operational efficiency.

Agriculture & Food Producers

• Perishable Goods: Farmers and food producers delivering fresh produce, seafood, and other perishable items to West Maui restaurants, hotels, and markets face critical challenges. Delivery windows are already tight for these products; added delays could lead to significant spoilage and financial losses. The inability to make timely deliveries to a key market segment could force producers to seek alternative, potentially less lucrative, markets.
• Supply Chain: Businesses importing specialized agricultural inputs or equipment into West Maui for farming operations may also experience delays.

Real Estate Owners (Property Owners, Developers, Landlords)

• Property Access: Property managers and maintenance crews may face delays accessing properties for essential repairs, inspections, or tenant services. This impacts the ability to maintain property standards and respond to urgent tenant issues.
• Construction Projects: New development or renovation projects in West Maui could experience construction material delivery delays and increased labor travel times, potentially pushing back project timelines and increasing costs.
• Tenant Impact: Tenants may experience disruptions in their own commutes or deliveries, potentially leading to dissatisfaction or requests for rent abatuation if impacts are severe and prolonged.

Second-Order Effects

These immediate traffic disruptions are poised to trigger a cascade of secondary effects throughout Hawaii's already constrained island economy:

• Increased Logistics Costs: Delivery surcharges may become necessary for businesses servicing West Maui, or these costs will be absorbed, impacting profit margins. This could lead to higher prices for consumers and tourists in the region.
• Reduced Tourism Competitiveness: If West Maui becomes known for transit difficulties and service unreliability due to power shutoffs and traffic issues, it could deter future tourist bookings, impacting Hawaii's primary economic driver.
• Labor Shortages Exacerbated: Difficulty for employees commuting to West Maui could worsen existing labor shortages in the hospitality and service sectors, forcing businesses to offer higher wages or reduce operating hours.
• Supply Chain Vulnerability: The reliance on a single power provider and the resulting infrastructure-dependent traffic management highlights the fragility of supply chains for critical goods in island economies. This event may spur calls for more resilient, localized infrastructure solutions.

What to Do

Given the immediate and unpredictable nature of these power shutoffs and traffic alterations, all affected businesses must take swift action.

For Small Business Operators:

• Immediate Action (Next 72 Hours):
  • Review Delivery Schedules: Contact all critical suppliers to confirm their ability to deliver and discuss potential alternative drop-off points outside of immediate shutoff zones if feasible.
  • Prepare for Delays: Inform customers about potential delays in service or delivery. Proactive communication can mitigate frustration and retain customer loyalty.
  • Assess Staffing Impact: Communicate with employees about potential commute challenges. Consider flexible start times or remote work options where applicable.
  • Monitor HDOT & Hawaiian Electric Alerts: Stay updated on traffic advisories and power shutoff notifications through official channels.
• Contingency Planning (Ongoing): Develop a protocol for future shutoff events, including pre-approved alternative routes, communication templates for customers, and emergency supplier contacts.

For Tourism Operators:

• Immediate Action (Next 72 Hours):
  • Guest Communication: Proactively inform guests booked for tours or requiring airport transfers about potential road closures and delays. Provide clear instructions for alternative access points to your establishment.
  • Schedule Adjustments: Review tour schedules and operational plans. Be prepared to modify itineraries or offer flexible booking options.
  • Staff Briefing: Ensure all staff are aware of the traffic situation and can provide accurate information and assistance to guests.
• Contingency Planning (Ongoing): Integrate power shutoff and traffic disruption protocols into your standard operating procedures. Explore partnerships with local transport services for contingency planning.

For Agriculture & Food Producers:

• Immediate Action (Next 72 Hours):
  • Contact Buyers: Reach out to all West Maui-based clients (restaurants, markets, hotels) to confirm their receiving capabilities and discuss potential reschedule dates or alternative delivery locations.
  • Evaluate Perishability: Assess the shelf life of your current inventory and prioritize deliveries to unaffected areas if West Maui deliveries become impossible.
  • Explore Alternative Markets: Identify and prepare to pivot to other markets if West Maui becomes inaccessible for a prolonged period.
• Contingency Planning (Ongoing): Develop relationships with buyers in closer proximity to production sites and build buffer stock where feasible to manage supply chain interruptions.

For Real Estate Owners:

• Immediate Action (Next 72 Hours):
  • Tenant Communication: Inform tenants of potential access issues for external services (deliveries, contractors) and provide direct contact information for property management in case of personal access challenges.
  • Contractor Coordination: Alert any contractors scheduled for work on properties in West Maui about potential delays and rescheduled timelines.
  • Monitor Site Access: If overseeing active construction, maintain constant communication with site supervisors regarding delivery schedules and personnel access.
• Contingency Planning (Ongoing): Establish a log of critical service providers who can operate with minimal disruption during power shutoffs and traffic alterations. Review lease agreements for clauses related to force majeure events and operational disruptions.