The lines are long, the road is rough, and the cleanup will take days, but on Kauai’s west side, patience has become another way to help.
In Waimea, Lowell has tested the residents’ endurance as they find ways to make the difficult days a little easier for one another.
Scenes of generosity from local residents were everywhere. Whether it was letting drivers go first, checking on a neighbor, businesses sharing a warm meal, or people offering rides.
Wai Stanley and Mike Stewart were discreetly distributing gasoline to residents and families.
“Today, our brother Mike has offered 50 gallons of free gas,” Stanley said. “We have diesel and regular, and we just served a couple of families.”
The Niʻihau resident mentioned that her faith in God motivated her to take action and support her community.
“We keep our faith in God and that he will help us through this,” she said. “Iʻm also not going to share how Niʻihau is doing. I think that is up to the Robinsons to share that information.”
Gasoline has been the most essential and sought-after item among residents.
“Weʻll make our way to the North Shore tomorrow,” Stewart told Kauaʻi Now. “We hope to help those folks however we can as well.”
Long lines of cars waiting to fuel up have been observed islandwide, from Princeville to Waimea.
“I think Iʻve serviced the entire island,” the gas station attendant at the Hele gas station in Kapaʻa stated to customers.
The Hele station saw heavy traffic Thursday afternoon, with several Kauaʻi Police officers directing it.
Across the Garden Island, Lowell left behind the familiar signs of destruction — debris, damaged property, blocked roads, a collapsed pier and disruptions to everyday life.
However, beyond the physical cleanup, there is also the task of restoring a sense of normalcy.
“Today is a good day for a barbecue,” a Waimea resident said.
