Kauai Businesses Urge Tourists to Return as Recovery From Hurricane Lowell Continues

Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Lowell knocked out power, washed out roads and felled trees across Kauai, small business owners are grappling with a difficult question: when should tourists come back?

The storm, which struck on Sept. 7, prompted officials and residents to urge visitors to stay away so the island could focus on recovery. That pause has come at a steep cost. Kelly Kakalia, co-owner of The Musubi Truck, a family-run business with three locations, has laid off half of her roughly 50 staff and shut down one truck. Demand for poke bowls, spam musubi and bento boxes has dried up.

Kakalia, 36, said she was grateful that would-be visitors heeded calls to give the island space, but she now worries that an extended shutdown will cause lasting economic damage. "Now that power and water is being restored, we should start to switch the narrative before many of us go out of business," she said, adding that people are already canceling November trips.

The dilemma is familiar in Hawaii, where tourism injected $21.75 billion into the economy last year. After a disaster, crowds of tourists can strain limited resources and clog roads needed for utility crews and aid delivery. Eventually, however, they become essential to reviving the economy. The tension was especially acute on Maui after wildfires destroyed Lahaina in 2023, killing more than 100 people.

On Thursday, Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said the island is now "welcoming visitors back," while asking them to respect the ongoing recovery. "Come with patience, spend local, and help us recover," he said.

More than 3,000 households and businesses still lack power, and some areas remain under water conservation notices. Residents need generators, financial assistance, food, and help clearing debris and cleaning out properties. Community-led efforts have filled much of the gap, with residents donating supplies, setting up relief hubs, distributing gas and generators, and using their own tools and vehicles to clean up damaged neighborhoods.

Some businesses felt ready to partially reopen this week, but foot traffic was slow. Kristal Scott, who has run Kauai Juice Co. for 16 years, said her three juice bar locations and warehouse went dark after the storm, and one store remains without power. Most of her fresh product spoiled, though she saved frozen goods by running a freezer on generators fueled by expensive diesel. Her shops sustained minor damage, but not enough to secure a meaningful insurance payout despite business interruption coverage. With sales down 85%, Scott, 41, let go of half of her 45 employees. "I beg them," she said. "I'm like 'Please, please, this is temporary.'"

The effects ripple beyond storefronts to farmers and fishermen who supply the hospitality industry and the local food chain. Cadena Ragsdale, owner of Kauai Fresh Fish, a seafood supplier that sources 100% Hawaii-caught fish for hotels and restaurants, said her "heart sank" when she saw video of severe damage at her largest client, a seaside restaurant on the south shore. Interrupted air cargo prevented her from shipping interisland. She laid off all but one of her eight-person team this week and is selling two vehicles to fill the gaps.

"It's not just about the money, or me, it's about all the fishermen we're supporting and their families and their livelihoods," Ragsdale, 41, said. "Without us, where are they going to sell fish?"

Even as the experience has been "eye-opening" about how much small businesses rely on tourism, Ragsdale said the immediate focus is staying afloat. If an area is closed, she said, "Don't go there." But, "Please come ... be patient, have respect and aloha."

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has requested an expedited major federal disaster declaration for Kauai and Maui counties in response to Lowell, the latest in a series of climate disruptions this year including major flooding, Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke. A declaration would unlock low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration, though President Donald Trump has not yet approved the request. The state made small business grant funding available for earlier disasters this year.

Kawakami said returning tourists should check with their accommodations and activity providers about possible interruptions, and cautioned that some beach parks and communities on the far north shore remain closed. Visitors can help not just by spending locally, he said, but also by signing up for volunteer opportunities listed on a county website. Even those off island can buy online gift cards from local shops.

The Musubi Truck has already collected money online for its Feed Our Keiki program, which distributes free meals in the community. Now the program serves a dual purpose. "It helps us feed the kids, but it also supports our business," Kakalia said, "keeps us cooking."