Kaua‘i County has conducted 231 preliminary damage assessments as part of the ongoing response in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell.
There have been 54 reports of homes that sustained major damage so far; at least 7 homes were destroyed.
211 Hawaiʻi is here to help if you or someone you know needs help finding food, shelter, financial assistance, mental health support, transportation or other community resources, .
Simply call 211 to connect with a trained specialist who can provide information about available services and resources throughout Hawaiʻi. You also can call 808-275-2000, text “HELP” to 877-275-6569 or chat with a local specialist at AUW211.org.
Kauaʻi County emergency officials also 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.
Kauaʻi County public schools
Power was restored to a majority of Kauaʻi County public school campuses, and school teams continue recovery work and facility assessments as Hawaiʻi Department of Education prepares to welcome students back to school Monday, following a week of closures because of impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
Nine of the 15 public school campuses on Kauaʻi had their power restored as of Thursday morning, with utilities and other essential services continuing to come back online in communities around the island.
Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary remained without power and water; although, limited water service was returning at Kīlauea Elementary. School and Department teams will need time to check campus systems and complete necessary preparations before students can return once utilities are restored.
The schools expect to make a determination about Monday operations by 4 p.m. Friday and will notify families directly.
State Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Kauaʻi Complex Area Superintendent Leila Maeda-Kobayashi visited schools Wednesday to see storm impacts and recovery work firsthand.
They observed downed trees and branches, roof and ceiling damage, water intrusion and debris at several campuses.
A portable classroom lost its roof and other classrooms sustained ceiling damage at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary in Līhuʻe.
School employees are working to support recovery efforts.
Custodians have cleared debris and checking campuses, cafeteria staff have assessed kitchens and food supplies and removed food that could no longer be safely used while school administrators have inspected classrooms, documented damage and identified needed repairs.
Teachers and educational assistants are scheduled to return to campuses Friday in preparation for resuming instruction, including plans for paper-based lessons at schools where power might not yet be available.
Kauaʻi public schools remain closed to students through Friday. Families will receive reopening information and any school-specific instructions directly from their schools as recovery work continues.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative as of shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday restored more than 12,000 additional customers during the past 24 hours in portions of Anahola, Kapa‘a, Wailuā, Līhu‘e, and Po‘ipū.
About 66% of co-op members are restored compared with 32% yesterday.
Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and Wilcox Medical Center were energized as of Wednesday night.
Critical infrastructure restoration: Repairs to circuits in Līhu‘e that feed the Judiciary complex, Kaua‘i Police Department and Rice Street are ongoing. It is possible these areas could be restored Thursday evening. The cooperative also worked on the Līhu‘e Airport circuit and anticipate the airport will be restored Thursday evening as well.
North Shore damage assessments: Crews focused on clearing vegetation and repairs to transmission lines Thursday from Kapa‘a to the North Shore. This work is a critical first step in restoring the North Shore. Once the transmission system is repaired, work can begin to address damage to the distribution system. Hawaiian Electric crews will begin damage assessments to the North Shore distribution system tomorrow. There is no estimate on the time frame for restoration of the North Shore; however, the utility cooperative will dedicate 10 crews to restoration next week.
Debris clearing: A team was deployed to conduct site assessments and assist with coordination among other utilities to determine priority for safely resolving these issues. They are also, when safely able, working with members to temporarily address access issues to their homes.
Mutual assistance: Recovery support is being provided by Hawaiian Electric, Southern California Electric and HMS Construction. The total mutual aid effort involves nearly 100 personnel once all arrive on island, supplementing Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative line crews and contractors. Hawaiian Electric crews are already arriving, and others are expected to arrive this weekend.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative suspended collections activities for delinquent accounts. Resumption of collections activities will be evaluated once Hurricane Lowell restoration is completed.
Generator safety
- Keep generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide from entering.
- Never plug a generator directly into a household outlet; use properly rated extension cords or a professionally installed transfer switch to prevent dangerous back feeding onto utility lines.
- Keep the generator dry, allow it to cool before refueling, and follow all manufacturer instructions for safe operation.
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 co-op at 808-246-4300 to update your contact information and receive alerts.
Food distribution sites
Food distribution sites are set up at locations around Kauaʻi. They are being coordinated by Kauaʻi County’s Incident Management Team in partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank-Kauaʻi and island churches.
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.
However, the airport has operated on backup generators since Hurricane Lowell knocked out power Tuesday. The storm also damaged one of the airport’s two backup generators.
Security screening was reduced to one line to minimize the load on that single generator, which resulted in extended screening times, and even with a backup generator there have been periodic power drops.
That has required the Transportation Security Administration to reset its system when the power comes back on, causing further delays.
Canine screening units are being used to help alleviate the situation. Travelers are advised to allow extra time.
Airline partners are maintaining the number of flights, but spacing them out to allow passengers more time to get through security. Flights will be spaced out into the night, with no cancellations anticipated at this time.
HDOT continues to work closely with Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, which pulled crews from other sites to prioritize restoring power at the airport.
Travelers should continue to 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.
Road closures
Crews are working as quickly as possible to clear all affected roadways.
- Kūhiō Highway at the double bridges in Wainiha is open for local traffic only and has a weight limit of 5 tons. Access is limited to residents to allow crews to work safely in the area.
Open roads
- Kaumualiʻi Highway in the vicinity of Moi Road and Pūʻolo Road is now open; traffic is no longer being diverted to Hanapēpē Road.
Traffic lights are non-functioning islandwide. When a traffic light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Additional closures are expected as Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and Kauaʻi County Public Works crews assess and clear roadways. Debris has been reported islandwide.
Do not drive through flooded roadways or around barricades, and stay away from downed power lines.
Solid Waste Division
the Hanapēpē transfer station is not accepting solid waste at this time because of an electrical issue with its compactor. Green waste will still be accepted at the facility until capacity is reached.
Facility status updates
- Kekaha Landfill is open is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, stay off the roads if debris blocks your access to the landfill.
- Hanalei transfer station is closed because of capacity and access issues.
- Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa and Hanapēpē transfer stations will be open after 9 a.m. Friday. Household and green waste is being accepted at these sites until capacity is reached.
- Teams will collect refuse at a limited capacity from Kalāheo to Anahola on Friday because of dangerous conditions. Residents in these areas are advised to place their collection carts out on their curbs. The public is reminded not to overfill bins and not leave any debris sticking out over the top. The county also advises residents to place bins in areas clear of any overhead wires and away from each other. Regular islandwide collection schedule is expected to resume Monday.
- Goodwill Industries Reuses collection at Kaua‘i Resource Center was canceled for Friday.
- Officials are working on standing up alternate green waste collection sites in Kīlauea, Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a. Details will be shared when available.
- Recycling contractor remains without power and cannot service Kauaʻi Recycles bins or process HI-5 materials. Service will resume once power is restored.
Help manage the post-storm waste
- Separate waste into green waste, metals and putrescible waste (food and other materials that can spoil).
- Prioritize disposal of putrescible waste first to help reduce odors, pests and other impacts while collection services are disrupted.
- Mixed waste should be kept free of rainwater and any other liquids such as cooking oil, etc.
Tipping fees for storm-generated debris are waived at Kekaha Landfill and county transfer stations as residents and businesses clean up from Hurricane Lowell.
Kong Radio FM 93.5
Kauaʻi’s major radio station Kong FM 93.5 is back on the air.
The radio station was operating on generator power, but at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, while Category 2 Hurricane Lowell was still generating strong winds on Kauaʻi, the generator at the transmitters failed.
Kong is live and actively reporting local news, on air and streaming online. Provide link.
As of 1:15 p.m. Thursday, four of the five radio stations owned by Pacific Media Group on Kauaʻi were on-air and could also be streamed through their websites. FM97 is not on air because of damage to that tower (different site to the other stations’ tower) but the streaming service is available online.
Ron Wiley with Kong wants to assure the community that they can tune in to receive updates.
Donations
Through Friday, Mālama Kaua‘i is directing all donations we receive toward helping families and farms directly impacted by Hurricane Lowell. If you are in a position to help, even a small donation will become part of our community’s effort to pick up the pieces and help our neighbors begin again, the nonprofit said.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at MalamaKauai.org/donate.
Refuge areas
Because there were no overnight evacuees, the county closed the following refuge areas Thursday evening:
- Waimea Canyon Middle School, 9555 Huakaʻi Road, Waimea.
- Kapaʻa Middle School, 4867 Olohena Road, Kapaʻa.
The following refuge areas remain open:
- Kauaʻi High School gym, 3577 Lālā Road, Līhuʻe.
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road, Kalāheo.
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street, Kīlauea.
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 Sept. 11.
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.
Bank of Hawai‘i
Bank of Hawai‘i’s Kapa‘a Branch on Kaua‘i has reopened. It is running on the same modified business hours as the Līhu‘e and ‘Ele‘ele branches:
- Monday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Kauaʻi County Council:
The Sept. 9 meeting of the Kauaʻi County Council was canceled.
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 scheduled for Sept. 9 to 11 are canceled.
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.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Commission
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands announces two scheduled upcoming meetings are canceled on Kaua‘i as recovery efforts continue following impacts of Hurricane Lowell.
Meetings canceled
Sept. 11
- Hawaiian Homes Commission — Kaua‘i Island Meeting
Sept. 12
- Kaua‘i residential project lease awards
Those impacted by the cancellations were contacted directly. Formal public announcements will be made when the meetings are rescheduled.
Visit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands website for additional information about upcoming department awards dates and scheduled commission meetings.
Other county updates
- Līhuʻe Civic Center: Public offices and services remain closed until further notice following a fire at the Kāpule Building. Affected services include driver’s license and vehicle services, Real Property, planning, building and zoning, Solid Waste and sewer bill services.
- All county, state and Hawaiʻi Department of Education offices and schools are closed through Friday. Essential government service employees including educators might be called into prepare for facility re-opening; contact your appropriate administrator for guidance.
- All county parks, campgrounds and Wailuā Golf Course are closed until further notice.
- The Kauaʻi Bus resumed limited service. No fare is required for fixed route or paratransit service during this time. Routes were modified to include stops at food distribution sites and refuge areas. Buses will run every 2 hours. Visit the county website for route information.
- All Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources state parks and state forest reserves are closed until further notice.
- Pacific Missile Range Facility closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued an islandwide brown water advisory for Kauaʻi. Stay out of floodwaters and ocean water near stream mouths, drainage outlets and harbors which might contain sewage, animal waste, chemicals and debris.
- Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau advises no swimming or outdoor recreational activities until further notice because of rough ocean conditions and brown waters concerns.
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.
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.
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 website.
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 online. This form is for reporting non-life-threatening roadway and public space flood damage and hazards.
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.
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
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.
