Hurricane-ravaged island asks tourists to return with aloha and patience

Watching her staff happily hand out free meals to hundreds of residents outside their Wailua commercial kitchen, food truck co-owner Kelly Kakalia felt fulfilled.

The event occurred the day after Hurricane Lowell knocked out power, washed out roads, and felled trees across Kauai. Kakalia focused on her community, not sales. The island where she was born and raised needed time to recover and put locals first.

But now The Musubi Truck, Kakalia's family-run business with three locations, has had to lay off half its 50-person staff and close one truck. Since the Sept. 7 storm, demand for their poke bowls, spam musubi, and bento boxes has plummeted.

After Lowell struck, officials and residents requested tourists reconsider visiting Kauai, an island seeing over 28,000 visitors daily. They feared tourists would strain limited resources and clog roads needed for aid delivery and utility restoration, while some hotels suffered severe damage.

Kakalia is grateful visitors gave the island space to recover—work that continues since the storm. But small business owners worry too long a pause will inflict economic havoc, forcing more layoffs and financial gaps too large to recover from.

"Now that power and water is being restored, we should start to switch the narrative before many of us go out of business," said Kakalia, 36. "People are canceling their trips in November."

When visitors should return is a familiar dilemma in Hawaii, where tourism injected $21.75 billion into the economy last year. After disaster, inconsiderate crowds can hinder recovery. Eventually, however, visitors are key to reviving the economy.

That tension was pronounced on Maui after 2023 wildfires wiped out historic Lahaina, killing over 100 people.

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

Amid cleanup, revenue dries up

Over 3,000 Kauai households and businesses lack power, with some areas conserving water. Affected residents need generators, aid, food, and help clearing debris from property.

The community led recovery efforts by donating supplies, setting up relief hubs, distributing gas and generators, and offering equipment to move trees and clean damaged neighborhoods.

As work progresses, some businesses feel ready to open partially to customers, but foot traffic remains slow.

"It’s scary out there," said Kristal Scott of Kauai Juice Co., the business she has run for 16 years. "Other businesses are already shutting their doors."

Scott’s warehouse and three juice locations went dark after Lowell, leaving one store without power. Most fresh product spoiled, though Scott saved frozen goods using generators running expensive fuel.

Her shops suffered minor damage, but not enough for Scott, 41, to receive a meaningful insurance payout despite holding business interruption coverage.

With sales down 85%, Scott laid off half her 45 employees, hoping they return when things improve. "I beg them," she said. "I'm like ‘Please, please, this is temporary.’ "

The impact spreads beyond storefronts to farmers and fishermen supplying the hospitality industry and local food supply chain.

"It’s not just about the money, or me, it’s about all the fishermen we’re supporting and their families and their livelihoods," said Cadena Ragsdale, owner of Kauai Fresh Fish, a seafood supplier that sources 100% Hawaii-caught fish from local fishermen for hotels and restaurants. "Without us, where are they going to sell fish?"

Ragsdale's "heart sank" seeing video of damage at her main client, a south shore coastal restaurant. Interrupted air cargo prevented inter-island shipping. She laid off seven of her eight staff members and is selling two vehicles to bridge gaps.

Though "eye-opening" for small business owners relying on tourism, Ragsdale, 41, said the primary focus is staying afloat. If an area is closed, she said, "Don't go there." But, "Please come ... be patient, have respect and aloha."

Ways to help while the state awaits support

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green requested an expedited federal disaster declaration for Kauai and Maui counties following Lowell, the latest climate disruption this year including flooding, Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke.

A declaration would unlock low-interest Small Business Administration loans, though President Donald Trump has not yet approved the request. State grant funding was made available for earlier disasters.

Mayor Kawakami said returning tourists should check with lodging and activity providers about interruptions, warning that some beach parks and north shore communities remain closed.

Visitors to Kauai can help by spending locally and registering for volunteer opportunities listed on the county website, Kawakami said.

Those living off island can also support local shops by purchasing digital gift cards online.

The Musubi Truck gathered money online for its Feed Our Keiki program, distributing free meals to local children. Now the program serves a double purpose.

"It helps us feed the kids, but it also supports our business," Kakalia said, "keeps us cooking."