Kauai businesses feel tourism slowdown as island recovers from Hurricane Lowell
KAUAI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kauai businesses are feeling the squeeze as tourism slows following Hurricane Lowell, with some owners forced to lay off employees and close locations. Cadena Ragsdale, founder of Kauai Fresh Fish, said the business lost about 70% of its sales almost immediately. “We lost about 70% of our sales overnight. And I have laid off, unfortunately, my entire team except for one person. It’s just crazy to go from this like thriving, you know, bustling business to overnight having very little sales and wondering if we’re going to make it,” Ragsdale said. Before Hurricane Lowell, Ragsdale said Kauai Fresh Fish serviced about 15 to 18 restaurants a day.