Originally Posted by alanwar
JT, I'd appreciate it if you could give some examples as it is hard for me to get a complete picture from the media. I can imagine that runoff from the rivers would at least cloud the ocean or perhaps cause contamination with leptosporosis and the the beaches will be full of debris. Traffic would be bad with roads being damaged and reconstruction. Other infrastructure and buildings might also be affected. Is there any way for a mainlander to help ?
Perhaps it is too early to think about this and I apologize if it is but I also wonder if this is going to significantly affect visitors perceptions. Could this be a turning point where people lose interest in Kauai, the property bubble pops and developers decide to put development on hold ? Wishful thinking ?
Alan
I think it is too early to know the scope of the damage. It isn't possible to drive everywhere right now and even see the situation, so I'm basing it on talking with friends around the island, and what we've seen in our limited drives. Other people too seem to be staying home and not driving (a smart thing). The roads that I have been on are severely potholed, damaged, and partially washed out and/or covered. This morning the Poipu golf course had a huge! river running through the middle of it.
A fund has abeen set up to help people affected:
http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/
As for changing long-term visitors' perceptions, I would say no. Only perhaps those people who are here now and in the next few months. We tend to be a repeat-business island, and I think those visitors will definitely be back. Development throughout the island is going forward in the biggest way ever, and that is not going to change. Real estate might suffer some short term storm damage-related impact, as well as a slow down and potential down-side based on west coast real estate. However most people I talk with don't see Kauai real estate prices decreasing due to the extremely limited availability, and continuing high demand, based on many sound factors.
I'd guess that we're just in a very big mess for the next month or so, to a lesser degree the next several months as we try to clean up, and the next year or so, as we repair the infrastructure. Just my opinion of course, based on what I see, read and hear.
Today was supposed to be much better weather, but as of this moment is sure doesn't look that way. If the Waita (Koloa) reservoir fails, then the scope of the problems, at least on the south shore, could increase dramatically.