Oahu's North Shore Open for Business, but Social Media Perception Threatens Recovery

Oahu's North Shore open for business, but social media perception threatens recovery

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce says tragedy leads people to avoid the area out of respect. That perception is now threatening jobs and forcing hour cuts.

Off the news: Jack Johnson shows up for North Shore | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Well-known North Shore resident Jack Johnson is not only urging people to help his affected neighbors recover from the Kona-low storms, he’s putting his money where his mouth is. The musician/environmentalist/philanthropist and his wife Kim, with their Johnson ‘Ohana Foundation, are committing $500,000 to support flood recovery, which includes a hefty donation to the GoFundMe.org Hawaii Flood Relief Fund.

Cleanup continues on Oahu's North Shore, 23 homes 'lost entirely'

"We now know we lost 23 homes entirely. More than 1400 homes though, were impacted," Mayor Blangiardi said.

Mixed messages about the North Shore affecting businesses

Following the storm, the North Shore saw a flurry of post-disaster activity, replacing the usual crowds of surfers and tourists. Though cleanup efforts have allowed many businesses to reopen, foot traffic in the area remains low.

What to Know About Visiting Oʻahu’s North Shore After Floods

Two powerful storms hit Hawaiʻi this March, bringing record rainfall, causing power outages, damage to roads and severe flooding to communities across the Islands. Some communities on Oʻahu’s North Shore were left nearly underwater. But residents quickly rallied together to support their neighbors and neighborhoods. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services announced on Saturday, March 28, that it’s estimated that 5,…