Only the best hotels have sufficiently powerful generators to make up the deficiency. As the Oloffson is on the same circuit as the Presidential Palace, it is never blacked out. They have American Banknote Company printed on them. Small denomination notes are in appalling condition and there is always a shortage of them. Try to break down large notes whenever possible.
Coins are few and far between.
The gourde was tied at 5 to the dollar during the US occupation. In the 1980s it began to trade at a slightly lower value on a parallel market, but the official rate was kept until 1991, when the Aristide government severed the tie and let the gourde float. From 7.5 to the dollar at the time of the September 1991 coup, it fell to 15 in 1995 and 17 by mid-1997 where it stabilized. Travellers cheques are difficult to change in some banks. So far, so good.