In the wake of Hurricane Lowell, Kauai small businesses that donated time and supplies to their communities now face steep revenue losses and layoffs. The Musubi Truck, Kauai Juice Co. and Kauai Fresh Fish all reduced staff as customer demand fell and supply lines were disrupted. County officials say visitors are welcome to return but should be patient, check for closures and consider supporting recovery through spending, volunteering or buying gift cards.
Kauai Businesses Ask Tourists To Return With Aloha — But Please Be Patient
This photo taken with a smartphone, People walk past damage caused by Hurricane Lowell on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 in Poʻipū on Kauaʻi's south shore, in Hawaii. (Guy Miller/Honolulu Civil Beat via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The day after Hurricane Lowell battered Kauai on Sept. 7, food truck co-owner Kelly Kakalia watched her staff hand out free meals to hundreds of residents outside their Wailua commercial kitchen. For Kakalia and many others born and raised on the island, the immediate priority was community care, not commerce.
But recovery has an economic cost. The Musubi Truck, a family-run operation with three locations, has laid off roughly half of its 50-person staff and taken one truck out of service because customer demand evaporated after the storm. Across the island, small businesses face sharply reduced foot traffic, damaged inventory and the difficult choice of cutting payroll to survive.
Why visitors were asked to wait
In the storm's immediate aftermath, officials and some residents asked tourists to postpone visits to Kauai — an island that can host more than 28,000 visitors on a typical day — to avoid straining scarce resources, blocking roads needed for utility repairs and aid delivery, and encountering damaged accommodations.
"I appreciated that people gave us space to recover," Kakalia said. "But now that power and water are being restored, we should start to switch the narrative before many of us go out of business. People are canceling their trips in November."
Downed power lines caused by Hurricane Lowell are seen across a road Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi, Hawaii. (Kevin Fujii/Honolulu Civil Beat via AP) CORRECTION: Location corrected from in Poʻipū on Kauaʻi's south shore to Hanapēpē.(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Economic ripple effects
Tourism is the backbone of Hawaii's economy, contributing about $21.75 billion last year. While crowds can complicate recovery logistics, visitors are also vital to restarting local commerce. The tension between protecting recovery operations and reopening the economy has been painfully familiar since the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami has said the island is now "welcoming visitors back," while urging travelers to "come with patience, spend local, and help us recover." More than 3,000 households and businesses remain without power, and some areas still must conserve water. Many residents need generators, financial assistance, food and help clearing debris.
Businesses struggling to keep doors open
Kristal Scott, owner of Kauai Juice Co., said sales fell about 85% after the storm. Her three juice-bar locations and warehouse lost power, spoiling most fresh product; she kept frozen goods running on a generator that required expensive fuel. Scott has had to let go of half of her 45 employees despite carrying business-interruption coverage that did not yield a meaningful payout.
This photo taken by a smartphone, Damage caused by Hurricane Lowell is seen on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 in Poʻipū on Kauaʻi's south shore, in Hawaii. (Guy Miller/Honolulu Civil Beat via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cadena Ragsdale of Kauai Fresh Fish said disrupted air cargo and damage to major clients forced her to lay off all but one employee and sell two vehicles to cover shortfalls. "It's not just about the money, it's about all the fishermen and their families we support," she said. "If areas are closed, don't go there. But if you can come, please be patient and have aloha."
Aid, recovery and how visitors can help
Hawaii Governor Josh Green requested an expedited major federal disaster declaration for Kauai and Maui counties to unlock federal aid and low-interest Small Business Administration loans. Mayor Kawakami urged visitors to check with accommodations and activity providers about possible interruptions and warned that some parks and parts of the north shore remain closed.
Visitors who do travel to Kauai can help by spending at local businesses, volunteering through county-listed opportunities, or buying online gift cards for shops and restaurants they cannot visit in person. The Musubi Truck’s online fundraising for its Feed Our Keiki program provides free meals and supports the business’ operations: "It helps us feed the kids, but it also supports our business," Kakalia said.
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For AP philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
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