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Help explain the impact of COVID-19

By Staff | Jul 16, 2020

Chambers of Commerce across the state and the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) are partnering to conduct a survey to study the business impact of COVID-19.

Businesses can go to www.surveyshare.com/s/AYA9K9C to take the survey.

This is a follow-up survey that measures changes in employment and employee wages, monthly revenue and revenue sources, current state of operations and plan for trans-Pacific tourism opening, impact of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and business outlook.

“As Hawaii’s business community continues to struggle with the impact of COVID-19, it’s vital that we have an accurate representation of what local businesses are experiencing,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. “Social media and word-of-mouth only tell part of the story. Participating in this survey will help us advocate for further assistance for local businesses.”

This Chamber-UHERO survey follows up on an initial poll conducted in April that found that one in four Hawaii businesses anticipate closing – even after receiving PPP loans.

Hopefully, West Maui resorts and business owners will have a clear projection on tourism and what to expect in the next few months.

A Lanai resident was shocked when she visited the West Side last week Wednesday.

“Lahaina and Kaanapali are downright scary! We really need to figure out how to get tourists back into West Maui,” she wrote. “Paia has local people walking around, but Lahaina is just empty!”

Menor-McNamara urges residents to safeguard against the spread of the Coronavirus and shop at local businesses.

“Wearing masks has proven to be critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Let’s all do our part in helping the economy and to avoid another shutdown by wearing and encouraging others to wear masks,” she wrote.

“Another way to save businesses is to support local. Every day, we read or hear about a business shutting down. To mitigate the situation, according to the #savehawaiisbusinesses coalition, let’s BE VOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL.”