City launches Stay Open O‘ahu to help small businesses prepare for disasters
Stay Open Oʻahu is a free disaster resilience program connecting local small businesses with the resources and support they need to prepare for disruptions and recover more quickly.
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu has launched Stay Open Oʻahu, a free disaster preparedness and resilience program designed to help Oʻahu small businesses prepare for disruptions, continue operating during emergencies when it is safe to do so, and recover more quickly afterward.
The program expands the Oʻahu Business Connector (OBC) and is available at no cost to small business owners across the island.
Small businesses are the backbone of Oʻahu’s economy. They create local jobs, provide essential goods and services, and help sustain communities across the island. But when emergencies strike, whether from severe storms, flooding, wildfires, power outages, public health emergencies or supply chain disruptions, small businesses can be among the most vulnerable.
Many operate with limited staff, time and resources, and even a short disruption can have lasting consequences.
“Over the past several years, we have seen firsthand how quickly a major storm or other emergency can disrupt our communities and our economy,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our small businesses are incredibly important to Oʻahu, and we want to make sure they have the information, tools and support they need before an emergency happens. Stay Open Oʻahu is about being prepared, protecting livelihoods and helping our businesses and communities become more resilient.”
Stay Open Oʻahu will provide practical, accessible support at every stage of a disruption, before, during and after. Resources are tailored to the realities of doing business on Oʻahu and include:
- An online resource hub connecting businesses with preparedness and mitigation information, nonprofit organizations and government resources
- A Business Disaster Preparedness Guidebook with easy-to-use tools and step-by-step guidance for developing a business resilience plan
- Free in-person workshops offering hands-on assistance to help business owners develop preparedness and continuity plans
- Access to a trusted network of community partners and City resources before, during, and after emergencies
The program is designed to meet business owners wherever they are in the preparedness process, whether they are developing a plan for the first time or strengthening an existing one.
Free workshops across Oʻahu
Stay Open Oʻahu will host a series of free workshops across the island to guide business owners through the preparedness planning process. Small business owners, managers, and other decision-makers can register for the following sessions:
- Leeward Oʻahu: Thursday, September 3, 9–11 a.m.
- Windward Oʻahu: Wednesday, September 9, 9–11 a.m.
- Virtual: Wednesday, September 9, 3–5 p.m.
- Honolulu: Thursday, September 10, 2–4 p.m.
- Central Oʻahu: Wednesday, September 23, 9–11 a.m.
- North Shore: Tuesday, September 29, 1–3 p.m.
Registration link for the workshops: click here
Recent events, including the Kona Low storms and Tropical Storm Lala, have demonstrated how quickly severe weather and other emergencies can disrupt businesses and communities across Oʻahu. Preparing before a disaster can help businesses protect employees, safeguard critical information and equipment, maintain essential operations, and reopen more quickly after an emergency.
Stay Open Oʻahu reflects the City’s commitment to strengthening Oʻahu’s resilience by ensuring small businesses have clear information, practical tools, and trusted resources available when they need them most.
The program is free and open to small businesses across Oʻahu. Business owners can access resources, receive program updates, and register for upcoming workshops at
Newsletter signup: https://oahubusinessconnector.org/newsletter/
For more information, contact alyssa.goslee@honolulu.gov.
—PAU—
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