Hawaii Tourism Declined After August 2026 Storms
A series of severe storms in August and September 2026 disrupted travel and significantly impacted visitor spending.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Forecasts
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Hawaii recorded $1.59 billion in total visitor spending during August 2026, as storms hindered travel across the state. Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke caused widespread infrastructure damage and forced hundreds of flight cancellations.
Why it matters
Natural disasters including Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke reduced tourism demand and curtailed travel capacity throughout the islands. The resulting economic strain highlights the vulnerability of the local visitor-dependent economy to extreme weather.
Hurricane Lala caused estimated total economic damage of $3 billion to $5 billion across the state. Following these events, Hurricane Lowell brought additional flooding and power outages to Kaua'i, Ni'ihau, and O'ahu in September.
The players
Alaska Airlines
This major carrier operates significant air travel routes to and from the Hawaiian islands.
Hawaiian Airlines
This is the largest airline based in Hawaii and serves as a primary provider of inter-island and transpacific air travel.
Southwest Airlines
This airline expanded its presence in the Hawaii market significantly in recent years.
The details
Hurricane Lala triggered severe flooding, landslides, and power outages, while Tropical Storm Moke delivered heavy rain and wind to East Maui and Hawai'i Island. Alaska, Hawaiian, and Southwest Airlines canceled a combined total of over 200 flights during the period.
Timeline
August 14-16, 2026: Hurricane Lala impacted the state.
August 22-24, 2026: Tropical Storm Moke affected parts of the islands.
September 7-8, 2026: Hurricane Lowell caused flooding and power outages on Kaua'i, Ni'ihau, and O'ahu.
Seasonal Patterns
The 2026 storm season serves as a follow-up to the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires as a major environmental challenge to Hawaii's tourism economy. This series of events follows the pattern of disaster-related disruptions to the state economy established by the 2023 wildfires.
Travelers should verify flight statuses directly with carriers and monitor local government alerts for ongoing road recovery updates. Residents in affected areas should continue to follow official emergency guidance regarding infrastructure and utility restoration.
The takeaway
The sustained impact of multiple storms underscores the necessity for travelers to maintain flexible itineraries when planning visits during hurricane season. Diversifying economic reliance remains a central challenge for the state as it manages the recovery from these environmental events.
Further reading
For additional context on regional climate trends, visit Forecasts.
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Do recent natural disasters make you less likely to plan travel to vulnerable regions?
