Hawaii’s tourism sector suffers over $300 million loss from storms

HONOLULU (KHON2) — In March, severe weather hit the state during back-to-back Kona low storm systems during a peak time for visitors.

Total tourism loss during the storms is estimated at over $300 million, according to the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The severe weather prompted trip cancellations from visitors, resulting in about $14 million in hotel revenue loss.

But businesses from every sector can feel the economic impact of losing Spring Break travelers.

“With the lack of visitors that are coming is the lack of people going to restaurants, people going to shopping and people just enjoying the state in general,” James Kunane Tokioka, Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said.

Oahu’s North Shore was hit hard with what was described as catastrophic flooding and has been on the road to recovery ever since.

“For most people who come to Oahu, they’ll take a day and drive out to the North Shore, but that visitor was not coming,” Tokioka said. “Haleiwa, in my understanding, was fine, but people didn’t want to go out there because of the destruction in Waialua and that’s understandable. What’s sad is that a lot of the businesses out there have been decimated as far as visitors coming out there.”

Tokioka said that a grant program for impacted businesses will be available soon with the new federal funds approved.

“That money is going to be circulated through DBEDT to the City and County of Oahu and it’s $400 million. Then, $100 million will be going to Maui and Hawaii Island to help small businesses with grants.”

He added, “There’s certainly paperwork that has to be done.  A similar thing happened in Lahaina when the fires happened. But this time we know better how to get it out faster. If anyone’s business was affected, keep an eye out for the City’s announcement.”

Until then, officials are asking residents to give flood-impacted businesses revenue.

“Residents on this island, instead of going to your local place for now, you might want to just take a drive out to the North Shore on the weekend, or if you are off on the weekday, and help the restaurants and the businesses out there. I know a lot of them are tourist locations or tourist shops. But, you know, it’s fun to be a tourist every now and then,” Tokioka said