A string of storms has hit Hawaii's tourism business hard, which is bad news for hotels, restaurants, and workers, but good for anyone who wants an empty beach and an easy dinner reservation.

• Back-to-back storms this year — Kona lows in March, then Hurricanes Lala and Lowell — have led to canceled flights and canceled trips.
• Visitor arrivals across the state are expected to fall slightly this year, with spending down 2%; Kauai is hit hardest, with arrivals projected to drop more than 6%.
• During the worst stretch, daily arrivals from the mainland fell from 3,000–4,000 to about 1,000, cutting statewide visitor numbers roughly in half.
• Jobs are at risk, and West Coast travelers thinking about October or Thanksgiving trips are now having second thoughts.
• Kauai's mayor says the island is open and cancellations have slowed, though Hanalei and Haena are still recovering.

Outlook: The state is pushing new messaging to show travelers where they can go, but the fall shoulder season looks weak.