Kaua‘i County is in Day 6 of recovery from Hurricane Lane.
The scope of destruction left behind by Hurricane Lowell continues to grow.
In addition to 301 county damage assessments, community members as of Saturday evening now self-submitted more than 464 residential damage reports.
County assessments remain steady at 57 homes suffering major damage and 7 homes destroyed.
Remember to visit the recently launched KauaiRecovers.org to find recovery help, resources and updates.
The centralized online resource connects residents with important information as the county continues to recover from Hurricane Lowell.
It provides ways for residents to report damage to their homes, address safety concerns and properly dispose of storm debris. It also includes information about ways to support recovery and the latest updates about ongoing storm response.
Port Allen rumors
The county is debunking rumors regarding critical storm recovery resources and infrastructure in response to growing misinformation.
County officials confirmed that any claims regarding the full closure of Port Allen and any speculation that a fuel barge flipped in the water are false.
Port Allen is open for full operations, with the exception of nighttime operations.
A fuel barge is scheduled to arrive today.
Neighborhood centers closed
All neighborhood centers are now closed until further notice. Kauaʻi County Parks and Recreation is temporarily suspending recreational use of the facilities to support county hurricane response and recovery efforts.
Disaster recovery scams
Kauaʻi Police Department reminds residents to remain vigilant for scams during ongoing Hurricane Lowell recovery.
Residents are encouraged to use caution with unsolicited calls, texts, emails, social media messages or other communications offering assistance or requesting information.
Scams and fraudulent activity can increase during times of disaster as scammers try to take advantage of confusion, urgency and residents seeking assistance. They might impersonate law enforcement, government agencies, relief organizations, charities or other trusted entities in an effort to obtain personal information, money or access to financial accounts.
The public is reminded to:
- Verify who is contacting them before providing information or accepting assistance.
- Do not share passwords, financial information, Social Security numbers or verification codes.
- Do not send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to unsolicited contacts.
- Be cautious with links, QR codes and requests for donations.
- Use official government and agency channels to verify disaster-related information.
Visit Kauaʻi County official channels and KauaiRecovers.org for verified information about Hurricane Lowell recovery.
Stay off roadways and avoid unnecessary travel
Kauaʻi Police Department continues to urge the public to travel only if necessary.
Officers are escorting work crews, and extra traffic is slowing debris removal, power restoration and road repairs.
- Report hazards including downed lines or blocked roads. Do not stop to take photos.
- Skip non-essential travel. This includes general sightseeing and driving to view storm damage.
- Pull to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches.
- Never follow a police escort or use one to get into a closed area.
- Obey closures, barricades and directions from officers and flaggers.
- Treat every dark traffic light as a 4-way stop. Lights remain out islandwide.
- Obey all posted closures, barricades and directions from officers and flaggers.
- Allow extra time and expect delays on roads that are open.
There will be a single lane closure from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday on Kaumuali’i Highway, possible in either direction, in the vicinity of Kīpū Road to the Kaumakani area, for storm cleanup at multiple locations.
The Kauaʻi Bus
No bus routes will operate Sunday. The Kauaʻi Bus regular bus and paratransit services resume Monday.
The 900 and 950 Anahola-Waimea express routes will not run this week.
Questions: Call 808-246-8110 or visit the county website.
Rides are free until further notice. Buses stop at food distribution sites and refuge areas. Expect delays.
Kaua‘i County Department of Water
County officials reported late Saturday morning that water systems are 100% restored; however, 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.
A precautionary boil water notice was canceled Friday for the Wainiha-Hāʻena Water System was canceled effective immediately.
Laboratory results of water samples collected Sept. 10 indicate the water is safe for consumption. No further customer action is required at this time and customers in the Wainiha-Hāʻena area can now resume normal water use.
Another precautionary boil water notice was canceled Saturday for the Kīlauea Water System effective immediately.
Laboratory results on the samples collected on Sept. 11 indicate water is safe for consumption. No further customer action is required at this time and customers in the Kīlauea area can now resume normal water use.
Visit the Water Department website and follow the department on social media for additional information and updates. Receive alerts by signing up for Everbridge.
Kauaʻi County public schools
Most Hawaiʻi Department of Education public schools on Kauaʻi will reopen to students Monday, following a week of closures because of impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
Electricity was restored to 12 of 15 public school campuses as of Friday afternoon on Kauaʻi. Three schools remain without power: Kapa‘a High, Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary.
Kapaʻa High remains without power but is able to safely operate, with contingency plans in place for instruction and gas-powered cafeteria equipment available to provide meals to students.
Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary will remain closed to students and staff Monday:
- Neither campus has potable water available. The schools also are preparing contingency plans to support continued learning if the lack of potable water prevents the campuses from reopening.
Kauaʻi public schools not identified above are scheduled to resume regular operations Monday. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School will proceed with a previously scheduled waiver day for staff professional development Monday, with students returning Tuesday.
Teachers and educational assistants returned Friday to campuses to prepare for students’ return.
Hawaiʻi Department of Education will continue monitoring conditions at the schools that remain closed and will provide families with updates on reopening as information becomes available.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative restored power to about 76% of members Saturday compared with 73% Friday. Peak outages impacted about 33,000 customers.
About 1,200 additional customers were restored in a 24-hour period from Friday to Saturday. Outages remain on the North Shore and in portions of Līhu‘e, Kalāheo, Kōloa, Kekaha and Kōke‘e.
Lane closure: A lane closure with alternating traffic will be in effect today so the utility cooperative can repair transmission poles on the Hanalei side of Hanalei Bridge. Work could take 8 or more hours to complete. The exact start time was still to be determined Saturday. Work is expected to continue into the early evening. Motorists should be prepared for delays, plan accordingly and use extra caution around coned work areas. Flaggers will be onsite for traffic control.
Mutual aid: About 100 additional Hawaiian Electric, Southern Cal Edison and HMS Construction Inc. personnel are now on Kaua‘i to supplement Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative crews and contractors. A total of roughly 250 co-op personnel are deployed to field operations in the restoration effort. The state assisted with coordinating a military transport of vehicles and equipment for Southern Cal Edison crews, who are relocating from Hilo to Kaua‘i this weekend.
North Shore update: Significant effort is being placed on making repairs to transmission lines serving the North Shore. Energizing the transmission system is a critical first step in repowering members in that area. Simultaneously, crews are making damage assessments and repairs to distribution lines. Once the transmission system is operational and distribution lines deemed safe to energize, repowering North Shore members can begin. Those restorations could start early this week. More information will be provided as soon as it is available, and daily communication with customers will continue via the Everbridge notification system. North Shore co-op members are encouraged to call the cooperative at 808-246-4300 to confirm/update their contact information to receive these messages.
Generation resources: All Kaua‘i large conventional generation units at Port Allen and Kapaʻia are back to pre-storm operational status and adequate to keep the island powered for the foreseeable future. The following power sources also are operational and available for meeting power demand: Tesla Solar+Storage facility and AES Lāwa‘i Solar+Storage Facility.
Equipment and supplies: Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has adequate inventory of poles, line, transformers and other equipment necessary to conduct repair and restoration work for the foreseeable future. Orders are being placed to ensure restoration work will not be suspended because of lack of supplies.
Stay away from downed utility lines and call 9-1-1 if a line is an immediate danger. Update your contact information with Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative at 808-246-4300 to get alerts. You can view outage updates with the online outage map.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative suspended collections activities for delinquent accounts. Resumption of collections activities will be evaluated once Hurricane Lowell restoration is completed.
More information about restoration efforts and links to additional resources can be found at the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative website.
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.
Anaina Hou Community Park
Like much of the North Shore, Anaina Hou remains without power and the campus is still picking up the pieces from Hurricane Lowell.
While cleanup continues, the park was open Saturday and will be today during Farmers Market hours to provide space for local farmers and community. The playground also will be open during market hours so keiki and families have a place to gather.
Tripp’s Hale, located next to the playground, was severely damaged during the storm. Respect the fencing and barricades surrounding the structure and keep a safe distance from the damaged area.
These barriers are in place for everyone’s safety while damage assessment continues and next steps are determined.
Food distribution through the North Shore Food Pantry will take place as normally scheduled near the Park & Ride.
The campus will close for the remainder of the day following Farmers Market. Cleanup and recovery work will continue as conditions and resources allow.
Additional updates will be shared as available.
SNAP food replacement
Households impacted by Hurricane Lowell on Kaua‘i could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Rather than require SNAP households to report food losses individually, U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed Hawai‘i to approve automatic mass replacements of 60% benefits for residents who lost food as a result of power outages.
The waiver applies to Kaua‘i residents. More details will be made available through the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services.
SNAP participants in areas hardest hit by the disaster may have a portion of their August benefits replaced.
More information about nutrition assistance available to residents of Kaua‘i impacted by Lowell can be found online.
Kong Radio FM 93.5
Kauaʻi’s major radio station Kong FM 93.5 is back on the air. Kong is live and actively reporting local news, on air and streaming online.
Food distribution
Food distributions continue at the following times and locations:
- 1 to 4 p.m. today: Kapa‘a United Church of Christ, 1315 Ulu St., Kapa‘a.
- 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 15: Anahola Clubhouse, 3900 Kawelo St., Anahola.
- 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 15: Kōloa Ball Park, Maluhia Road, Kōloa.
- 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17: St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road, Kōloa.
211 Hawaiʻi
211 Hawaiʻi is available to provide information to people who need need 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.
Līhuʻe Airport
Commercial power was restored to Lῑhu‘e Airport on Thursday. Departing passengers can return to the recommended predeparture guidance of 90 minutes for interisland flights and 2 hours for flights to the mainland.
The state is sending a 600 kilowatt power generator from Honolulu to Kaua‘i to serve as an inline backup to Lῑhu‘e Airport’s existing generator. It also is in the process of replacing the existing generator with a new 1,000 kilowatt generator.
Delivery of the 600 kilowatt backup generator to the airport is expected in late September. The new 1,000 kilowatt generator is expected to be installed in 2029.
Road closures
Numerous roads continue to be closed islandwide.
The state Transportation Department reports no state highway is closed in a way that keeps people from reaching their homes.
- Kūhiō Highway (Highways56/560) are open through Hāʻena. Crews will resume debris clearing Sept. 20 under the mauka Wailuā River Bridge.
- Wainiha double bridges are open to local traffic only, with a 5-ton weight limit.
- Kūhiō Highway southbound morning contraflow through the Wailuā corridor resumed normal hours Saturday. Normal contraflow hours are 4:15 to 11:15 a.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
- All of Kuamoʻo Road is clear.
- Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon roads are still being cleared.
- Ahukini Road is now fully open.
- Halewili Road is open from the ʻEleʻele side of Kaumualiʻi Highway but remains closed from the Kalāheo side to Kauaʻi Coffee because of downed utility poles
- Kaumualiʻi Highway, in the vicinity of Mōʻī Road and Pūʻolo Road is open, and traffic is no longer being diverted to Hanapēpē Road.
- One lane closed on Kaumualiʻi Highway, between Kīpū Road and Kaumakani, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Additional closures could happen as Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and county Department of Public Works crews assess and clear roadways.
Crews are working as quickly as possible to clear all affected roadways.
Trash and recycling
- A temporary debris site in Kīlauea is set to open at 9 a.m. today. The site will accept mixed and green waste; it is accessible off Kūhiō Highway, past the Kīlauea roundabout and across the street from Anaina Hou Community Park. The county is prioritizing disposal of food waste and will not accept scrap metal, appliances, recyclables and other items at the Kīlauea site. The public is reminded that green and mixed waste must be separated.
- A temporary green waste site is open off Kapaʻa Bypass Road. It will be open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. today. Drivers can access the site via the southbound (one-way) lane of Kapaʻa Bypass Road adjacent to the Bryan J Baptiste Sports Complex.
- HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe resumed. Other locations will remain closed until equipment is repaired.
- Hanapēpē transfer station and Kekaha Landfill are open for trash and green waste.
- Kapa‘a and Līhuʻe transfer stations are accepting trash only. Green waste drop-off is expected to resume Sunday at Līhu‘e transfer station.
- Hanalei transfer station is reopen and accepting mixed waste only; no green waste, metals or appliances can be accepted at this time.
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.
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
There were 59 people and 3 pets using refuge areas as of 9 a.m. Saturday.
Open now:
- Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center, 3353 ʻEono St.
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Pāpālina Road
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street
State offices
Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green announced Saturday that state offices will reopen Monday as conditions continue to improve following Hurricane Lowell.
State employees should report to their normal worksites or follow their department regular telework schedules unless otherwise directed by supervisors.
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary also announced Saturday that the courthouse on Kauaʻi, Puʻuhonua Kaulike in Līhuʻe, and Judiciary operations on the island will reopen and resume Monday.
Hearings, trials and other court proceedings scheduled for Monday will proceed as scheduled.
The public can visit the Judiciary website for updates and information.
Parties also can monitor the state’s online public case information system eCourt Kokua for the most current information regarding hearings, trials and case activity.
Bank of Hawai‘i
Bank of Hawai‘i’s Kapa‘a Branch is open, but operating on the same modified business hours:
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Monday through Saturday.
- Closed: Sunday.
Bank of Hawai‘i’s ‘Ele‘ele Branch hours are as follows:
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Monday through Friday.
- Closed: Saturday and Sunday.
Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union is expanding its Emergency Member Relief Program to provide immediate financial assistance to members impacted by Hurricane Lowell.
The program, which was recently made available to members impacted by Hurricane Lala, offers several financial relief options to help members manage unexpected expenses and other financial challenges following the storms.
Through Hawaii State Federal Credit Union’s Emergency Member Relief Program, qualifying members have access to a range of support options, including:
- Emergency assistance loans: Access up to $5,000 with no payments required for the first three months and no prepayment penalty for qualifying members.
- Deferral on loan payments: Payment deferrals on eligible consumer loans for one to three months. Interest will continue to accrue during the deferral period, and the loan term will be extended, resulting in a final balloon payment. Deferral options for mortgages, home equity lines of credit and revolving credit may vary.
- Penalty-free term share withdrawals: Withdrawals from existing term share accounts without an early withdrawal penalty.
Members interested in learning more about emergency relief programs are encouraged to visit any of the credit union’s 14 branch locations, call the Member Service Call Center at 808-587-2700.
County, state and other closures/service disruptions
- Līhuʻe Civic Center is closed until further notice after a fire at the Kāpule Building. That includes Real Property, Planning, building and zoning, Wastewater, sewer billing and the DMV, including driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.
- All county parks, campgrounds and Wailuā Golf Course are closed.
- Waimea and Kapaʻa swimming pools are closed.
- County board and commission meetings are suspended. The Sept. 16 Kauaʻi County Council meeting is canceled.
- All state Department of Land and Natural Resources parks and forest reserves are closed until further notice.
- Pacific Missile Range Facility closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
- State 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 could contain sewage, animal waste, chemicals and debris.
- Nāwiliwili Harbor is open to cargo ships. No cruise ships are arriving.
More closures are possible as crews continue clearing roads.
Kauaʻi Community College
Kauaʻi Community College will initiate a phased re-opening beginning Monday, with all in-person and online classes resuming Tuesday following recovery efforts from Hurricane Lowell.
Phased reopening timeline
- Campus closed through Sunday: The campus remains closed to all non-essential personnel while facilities and information technology staff work to restore power stability, service HVAC systems, repair a broken water line, clear downed trees and clean indoor facilities.
- Monday (faculty and staff only): The campus opens for employees to reconnect, assess physical spaces, troubleshoot moisture and air conditioning systems and prepare.
- Tuesday (students return): The campus opens fully for standard operations, and all in-person and digital instruction resumes.
Academic adjustments, support
Campus leadership emphasized that the health, safety, well-being and academic success of the campus community remain top priorities:
- Cross-campus support: Kauaʻi Community College coordinated throughout the University of Hawaiʻi system to create flexibility for students enrolled in online courses hosted by other campuses and who missed classes or assignments during the closure. The vice chancellor’s office is also prepared to advocate on behalf of affected students.
- Academic flexibility: Chancellor Margaret Sanchez assured the campus community that leadership and faculty will work collaboratively to address missed instructional time, assignments and academic deadlines once conditions stabilize.
- Workplace accommodations: Employees navigating personal property damage, family commitments or community disaster recovery efforts that prevent returning Monday are encouraged to reach out directly to their supervisors.
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.
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
T-Mobile has restored coverage across major population centers and throughout the northern part of the island, however, recovery work remains ongoing in southern Kauaʻi, where downed trees and access challenges continue to impact some locations.
As commercial power returns, teams are repositioning generators and other resources to support restoration efforts. T-Mobile remains focused on helping customers, communities and first responders stay connected by:
- Maintaining unlimited talk, text and data
- Waiving overage charges for impacted customers across Hawaiʻi through Sept. 15
- Providing devices with T-Priority to support emergency response communications
- Offering charging supplies for community distribution on Kauaʻi
- Coordinating with state and local partners to support recovery efforts
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.
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
Hawaiʻi continues to welcome visitors, but it urges anyone with upcoming trips to the islands to monitor conditions. The state also encourages travelers with trips booked for Kauaʻi to consider visiting another island to allow the Garden Isle time to heal and recover.
Next storm
State officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Norbert, which could pass the islands late next week. It is too early to predict the storm’s track, but in anticipation of possible impacts, now is the time to restock emergency supplies. Click here for preparedness information.
