By Stephanie Salmons 

Following the weekend arrival of Hurricane Lala, which brought heavy rain, high winds and destruction to parts of the Islands, some Hawai‘i businesses are evaluating the damage.

“We’re still gathering a full picture, but the early reports we’re hearing from members, particularly on Hawai‘i Island, track with what’s been reported publicly: power outages, flooding and downed trees affecting operations,” Sherry Menor, president and CEO of Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i told Aloha State Daily Monday in an emailed response to questions. “For small businesses, even a short outage can mean lost inventory, canceled bookings or days of lost revenue they can’t easily absorb. The biggest immediate need is usually the same after any disruption like this: clear information on when power and access will be restored, and some breathing room on things like loan payments or rent while they get back up and running.”

Menor says that information — when the power will be restored and when it’s safe to reopen — is the most immediate need for businesses affected by the storm.

“Beyond that, it’s cash flow,” she says. “A business that’s closed for even a few days, or that lost perishable inventory, doesn’t have the cushion to just absorb that loss. Things like payroll, rent and loan payments don’t pause just because the power did. What helps most in these situations is flexibility: from lenders, landlords and insurers willing to work with businesses during recovery, and clear guidance on what disaster assistance is actually available to them.

“And for the public, if a local business is open and it’s safe to do so, visiting in person or shopping online is one of the most direct ways to help. Every bit of business helps them get back on their feet.”

According to Menor, Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i has been in close contact with the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, organizations that are “on the ground and closely connected with the affected communities.”

“Once damage assessments are more complete, we will work with those chambers and the legislators serving those districts to provide support,” she says.

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