Many small business owners, including Airbnb hosts, face significant financial losses and operational difficulties. Rosie Ah Yen, who operates Connect IT and owns 21 Airbnb properties says the situation is dire. 

She has been forced to issue numerous refunds to guests due to the unreliable electricity supply. 

"We never thought we would need a generator, but now it's becoming a necessity," she explained. The outages have not only disrupted bookings but have also caused damage to essential electronic equipment, including computers and microwaves.

Another Airbnb owner, who has resided in Samoa for seven years, requested anonymity and expressed deep frustration at the government’s handling of the crisis. "They're killing so many businesses," he said. "I tell people in New Zealand who want to come here for a holiday: 'Save your money. Go somewhere else.' You're here, and you don’t have power. It’s embarrassing."

"If I’m renting an Airbnb, who’s responsible for the power? The owner? The government? At the very least, they should be providing generators," he said. "You can’t expect people to run a business with no power."

The Airbnb owner also expressed his concerns about the everyday Samoans struggling through the crisis. "I feel sorry for the average Samoan. They have so little now, and the government feels they have a right to take a basic necessity like power away from them. It’s just crazy," he said.

He criticised the country’s leadership, arguing that government officials have failed to address the crisis. "Both parties are to blame. She (referring to PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa) just came out once, said something, and that was it. She’s done next to nothing about it. It’s terrible."

Beyond the direct impact on Airbnb hosts, the power cuts are taking a toll on the broader business community, especially those operating remotely or relying on technology. 

"We've had to adapt and do more jobs online, but it's still unclear what the long-term effects will be," said Ah Yen. She also notes that Connect IT has suffered losses as equipment such as printers and computers have been damaged by sudden outages.

As the outages continue, affected business owners are left with no choice but to find their own solutions, investing in expensive generators or solar panels to stay operational. However, for many, this additional financial burden is unsustainable. "We are just making do with what we can," Ah Yen said.