About 100 businesses at the twin office towers of Topa Financial Center are facing a prolonged disruption after a Topa Financial Center power outage linked to equipment damage shut down both buildings in downtown Honolulu.
The 20-story towers front Ala Moana Boulevard across from Aloha Tower Marketplace. Power went out on July 23 when a basement air-conditioning chiller leak in one tower damaged the electrical system that serves both buildings, according to the property owner.
Topa Financial Center power outage timeline
The outage was initially expected to last a day. The owner now estimates roughly two more weeks to restore service to the Ewa tower facing Fort Street Mall, and about a month for the Diamond Head tower on Bishop Street where the leak and damage occurred.
“This is a trying time for the tenants and we are trying our best to assist them while quickly working on engineering solutions for the building to reopen,” Avalon Group President and CEO Christine Camp said in a statement.
Temporary workspace and tenant support
Honolulu-based Avalon Group, which also owns the neighboring Davies Pacific Center, has set up a co-working hub there for affected tenants. As of Wednesday, the hub offered about 100 desks, 80 offices and nine conference rooms at no cost, along with free printing through Davies tenant Professional Image. Camp said another 50 desks and 50 offices are planned at Davies in the coming days.
Parking at Topa remains open for tenants. Avalon is also working to bring in emergency power to operate elevators and lights using generators, though electrical issues have so far prevented those systems from running.
Retailers and small businesses hit hard
The extended closure is especially difficult for ground-floor retailers in the indoor promenade. Jan Park, who has operated Flowers for You at Topa since 1987, said the longer timeline was devastating. She discarded lei and fresh flowers over the weekend, then returned midweek to remove potted plants from the darkened shop.
Office tenants across the two towers include law, accounting and engineering firms, along with other professional services. Camp said Avalon has found temporary space for all tenants who requested it. Bar Leather Apron is working to reestablish its bar on the ground floor of Davies, and Orthosports Physical Therapy has reopened inside the indoor pickleball club Pickles at Forte in the former downtown Walmart building that Avalon owns.
Making do during the outage
Some street-facing businesses are improvising to stay open. Furniture Plus Design President Scott Barley said the office furniture dealership spent about $10,000 on 10 portable battery-powered generators to run computers and a server in its showroom and workspace. “It’s impacting us, but we’re limping along,” he said. “We’re making it work.”
