But even as weather conditions improve, Kauaʻi County emergency officials continue to urge all residents and visitors to stay off roadways and avoid unnecessary travel to allow first responders and emergency crews to continue relief, recovery and restoration operations.
Food distribution sites
Food distribution sites — being coordinated by Kauaʻi County’s Incident Management Team in partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi as well as island churches — will be set up during the next several days at locations around Kauaʻi to help residents affected by Hurricane Lowell.
Distribution availability
Sept. 9
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Holy Cross Church, Kalāheo
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Aloha Church, Līhuʻe
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Church of the Pacific, Princeville
Sept. 10
- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Hale Līhuʻe, Līhuʻe (turn from Rice Street into the parking lot, then exit toward the Convention Hall)
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Holy Cross Church, Kalāheo
Sept. 11
- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Hale Līhuʻe, Līhuʻe (turn from Rice Street into the parking lot, then exit toward the Convention Hall)
Sept. 12
- 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.: ʻEleʻele Baptist Church, ʻEleʻele
Contact Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800 or via email at kema@kauai.gov for additional information.
Līhuʻe Airport
Līhuʻe Airport is open. But travelers should check with their airline about the status of their flight prior to heading to the airport, anticipate delays and allow extra time to check in and clear security.
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reports Lῑhu‘e Airport also is operating on generator backup as power restoration efforts on Kaua‘i continue.
Road closures
Numerous roads are closed islandwide because of storm-related debris and damage. Closures include:
Road Closures:
- Kūhiō Highway, north of Hanalei Bridge to Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant.
- Kūhiō Highway, Waikoko to Lumahai Beach.
- Kūhiō Highway in Kīlauea; traffic being diverted to Kolo Road.
- Hoone Road in Poʻipū is impassable because of debris.
Partial Road Closures:
- Kaumualiʻi Highway is allowing alternating one-lane traffic west of Kauaʻi Humane Society.
- Kūhiō Highway, from Kāhiliholo Road to Kalihiwai Bridge, is allowing alternating one-lane traffic.
- Kaumauliʻi Highway, in the vicinity of Mōʻī Road and Pūʻolo Road, has traffic being diverted to Hanapēpē Road.
Māluhia Road is open in both directions.
Additional closures are expected as Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation and County Public Works crews assess and clear roadways. Debris has been reported islandwide. Road and closure conditions are available at 808-241-1725.
Refuge areas
As of noon Tuesday, 58 people and 1 pet are sheltered at five open refuge areas:
- Kauaʻi High School gym, 3577 Lala Road, Līhuʻe.
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road, Kalāheo.
- Waimea Canyon Middle School, 9555 Huakai Road, Waimea.
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street, Kīlauea.
- Kapaʻa Middle School, 4867 Olohena Road, Kapaʻa.
Refuge areas remain open. Anyone going to a refuge area should bring their own disaster supply go kit, medications and important documents.
Household pets are welcome, though owners must bring their own pet food, water and crates or cages. Do not travel to a refuge area if conditions are unsafe.
State and county offices
All state and county offices in Kauaʻi County will remain closed through Friday.
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary reports the courthouse on Kauaʻi, Puʻuhonua Kaulike in Līhuʻe and Judiciary operations on Kauaʻi will remain closed through Friday because of impacts from the hurricane.
All hearings and trials scheduled for the rest of this week will be rescheduled. To the extent there are emergency proceedings the court determines must be heard, appropriate notice will be issued.
Deadline for filing documents due Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is extended to Monday.
The public can visit the Judiciary website for updates and information.
Essential government services and emergency operations will continue throughout the closure in Kauaʻi County.
Other county closures:
- Puʻuhonua Kaulike.
- Kauaʻi County refuse collection service was suspended at noon Monday until further notice.
- All County parks and campgrounds as well as Wailuā Golf Course are closed until further notice.
- All Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources state parks and state forest reserves are closed until further notice.
- All refuse transfer stations and collection services are suspended until further notice because of numerous road closures. Kekaha Landfill is open for residents only; however, stay off the roads if debris blocks access to the landfill.
- The Kauaʻi Bus suspended service because of safety concerns.
- Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau advises no swimming or outdoor recreational activities until further notice.
Kauaʻi County public schools
All Kauaʻi County public schools on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau High & Elementary School will remain closed through Friday.
All school-related activities scheduled Tuesday in Kauaʻi County also are canceled, including athletic events and practices, extracurricular activities, meetings and other school events.
State Education Department and Hawai‘i Department of Accounting and General Services officials are assessing facilities and will address storm-related impacts and prep facilities for the return of students.
Education Department employees, including teachers and educational assistants, will receive reporting instructions directly from their supervisors and schools based on their roles and local conditions.
Preliminary storm damage was reported at Kauaʻi High School and Kekaha Elementary School so far. Widespread power outages limited schools’ ability to complete formal damage reports. Access to some campuses also is limited.
Preparations are for Kauaʻi County students to return to school Sept. 14, pending completion of campus assessments. Families will receive updates directly from their schools as recovery continues.
Families, students and employees should check the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education website and social media channels for the latest school closure and reopening information.
Kauaʻi Community College
Kauaʻi Community College will remain closed through Friday because of damage and other impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
In-person and online classes are canceled for the remainder of this week, and employees should not report to campus unless specifically directed to do so.
Campus officials are assessing damage and determining what work is needed before the it can safely reopen. Students and employees are asked to stay away from campus while damage assessments and recovery work continue.
Students and employees should monitor their university email, UH RAVE emergency alerts and official campus communication channels for the latest updates.
Kauaʻi County meetings
The next meeting of Kauaʻi County Council, originally planned for Sept. 9, is canceled because of the impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
A revised agenda will be posted on the county website before the next meeting. Items scheduled for Sept. 9 will be carried over to the next scheduled council meeting, and written testimony already submitted to Council Services will remain part of the record.
Kauaʻi County Liquor Control Commission meetings Sept. 9-11 are canceled because of Hurricane Lowell.
All candidates selected for interviews Thursday and Friday will be notified about rescheduled meetings as soon as possible. Members of the public who want to testify should review a revised agenda once it is posted on the county website.
Contact the Liquor Control Commission at 808-241-4966 or via email at liquor@kauai.gov.
Young Brothers shipping update
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announced Tuesday evening that Nāwiliwili Harbor was reopened by U.S, Coast Guard Captain of the Port before 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Shipping firm Young Brothers continues coordinating closely with U.S. Coast Guard, the state Harbors Division and other relevant state agencies as ports reopen and operating conditions are assessed.
Some sailings could continue to change because of storm damage, harbor restrictions, port reopening decisions and ocean conditions.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative
Approximately 33,000 of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s 36,000 member accounts were without power on Tuesday morning after Hurricane Lowell caused significant damage to its transmission and distribution system.
On Tuesday afternoon, the cooperative said it was able to restore 466 members in ‘Ele‘ele and Hanapēpē.
The utility said it has completed inspections of all 1,500 miles of transmission lines on Kauaʻi on Tuesday, and on Wednesday will prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructure and high density population areas. Click here, for full update.
Please stay clear of downed lines and report any that pose an immediate danger to 9-1-1.
- Outage Center and FAQs.
- Contact the utility c-op at 808-246-4300 to update your contact information and receive alerts.
Kaua‘i County Department of Water
An islandwide conservation notice remains in effect. Customers are asked to limit water use to essential needs while crews work to maintain service during power outages. Report outages, low pressure, or water main breaks at 808-245-5400 or visit the department website.
- Power outages can affect pumps and wells. Water service may be interrupted or pressure may drop, even if your home is not damaged.
- Use water sparingly while storm response and utility repairs are ongoing.
- Do not use water you suspect has been contaminated by flooding.
- Report outages, low pressure, or water main breaks to DOW at 808-245-5400.
- Updates will be posted online and on the department’s social media channels.
Document your damage
Residents are urged to closely document damage to their homes and property. A damage assessment form is available through the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency website at https://survey123.arcgis.com/
The information provided will help the County of Kauaʻi understand the scope of residential damage and impacts to our community. Damage reports may be used to determine whether our jurisdiction qualifies for state or federal assistance.
Affected parties still need to file claims with their insurance companies for residential damage and personal property losses. Residents can also notify authorities about public hazards at: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/060659e0fd7344d59ccb2056dcbe53f9. This form is for reporting non-life-threatening roadway and public space flood damage and hazards.
Here is what else you need to know about closures, resources and more.
Generators
If you use a generator, be sure it is placed at least 20 feet away from doors,
windows and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Other closures
- Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s Kauai office will be closed on Sept. 8 and an announcement will be made when the Līhuʻe office reopens.
- Bank of Hawai‘i’s Kaua‘i branches closed on Sept. 8.
Additional water tips
Store water: Use clean containers, preferably those designed for water storage. Do not use containers that might have previously stored hazardous or questionable materials, food with strong odors or are made of easily breakable materials such as glass. Fill the container with tap water, leaving minimal air space between the water and the cap. Store it in a cool, dark place.
What to do after a storm:
- Any water service interruption updates will be posted online, through social media platforms and relayed to local radio stations, as needed.
- After the storm has passed, Department of Water will assess its infrastructure. If water lines are damaged, or conservation notices are issued, continue to conserve water until the department officially announces the conservation notice is lifted.
Receive Department of Water alerts by signing up for Everbridge. You also can visit the department website.
Brown water advisory
After storms or heavy rain, the water may contain higher than normal pollutant levels and Hawaiʻi Department of Health recommends staying out of these affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.
Health officials advises the public to avoid swimming, wading in, or drinking water from any freshwater streams or pond to prevent leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria.
Outdoor recreation
Ocean Safety Bureau officials are advising no swimming or outdoor recreational activities until further notice.
Do not go hiking, camping, swimming, surfing, or participate in other outdoor and ocean recreation if hazards are forecast or present. Outdoor recreation areas may quickly become hazardous. During severe weather, emergency rescues may not be possible. Do not cross swollen rivers or streams, and always check with a lifeguard at any lifeguard station before entering the ocean.
Stay connected
Verizon in anticipation of Hurricane Lowell reinforced its local network and is waiving domestic calls, texts and data charges for consumer value, postpaid and small business customers through Sept. 14 for those on Kauaʻi.
While Verizon’s network is built to handle the unexpected, satellite messaging provides backup if terrestrial services become unavailable.
Verizon customers with compatible satellite-enabled devices — such as iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18+ or Google Pixel 9 or newer — are encouraged to test and familiarize themselves with emergency satellite messaging before the hurricane makes its closest approach.
Pacific Missile Range Facility
Pacific Missile Range Facility remains fully mission capable.
The facility temporarily closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
Visit the Pacific Missile Range Facility Morale, Welfare and Recreation Facebook page for the latest updates.
Important numbers and resources
- Overall emergency management: Kauaʻi Emergency Management website.
- Weather forecasts, advisories, watches and warnings: National Weather Service website or automated weather line at 808-245-6001
- Water service: Kauaʻi County Department of Water website or via phone at 808-245-5400.
- Road closures and conditions: 808-241-1725.
- Up-to-date ocean conditions and safety: Speak to a county lifeguard, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.
- Sign up for Everbridge emergency notifications: Visit the Kauaʻi Emergency Management website and click “Notification Services,” text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777 or call Kauaʻi Emergency Management at 808-241-1800.
Officials remind the public to use 9-1-1 only for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Emergency response can be significantly delayed with callers seeking non-emergency information such as weather updates and road conditions.
Non-emergency hazards should be reported to Kauaʻi Police Department Dispatch at 808-241-1711.
Visitor information
Hurricane Lowell is moving away from the Hawaiian Islands.
Visitors with reservations to Kauaʻi during the next few days should confirm their accommodations remain available. If accommodations are no longer available, consider visiting another part of the state until Kauaʻi fully recovers.
Visitors should also:
- Check directly with their airline for flight changes and confirm their contact information is current.
- Contact their hotel or other accommodation for updates about access, utilities and available services.
- Confirm tours and activities directly with providers, as schedules could change.
- Follow instructions from hotel staff and local officials.
- Avoid downed power lines and areas closed for public safety.
Click here or use the GoHawaii app to get the most updated visitor information. Visitors can also call 1-800-GOHAWAII with questions. You can also get additional information from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority website.
