Kaua‘i County is in Day 7 of recovery from Hurricane Lowell.
The county’s Hurricane Lowell update Sunday evening said nearly 1 week after the storm caused mass destruction and outages throughout the county, a sense of normalcy is returning.
For recovery help, resources, and updates, visit KauaiRecovers.org.
Resource centers
Opening: Two county resource centers — at Hanalei Neighborhood Center on the North Shore and Kōloa Neighborhood Center on the South Shore — are slated to open Tuesday.
Both will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing residents the opportunity to meet with nonprofit and agency staff in-person for recovery needs assistance.
The Hanalei initiative will operate an hourly shuttle starting at 9 a.m. from The Hanalei Colony resort in Wainiha to the Hanalei Resource Center.
The Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St., will also remain open.
Tax-deductible donations also can be made at the Mālama Kauaʻi website.
Closing: With power restoration efforts progressing across Kaua‘i, two refuge areas at the Kalāheo and Līhuʻe neighborhood centers will close at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16
Individuals utilizing refuge areas have the opportunity to connect with case management and other wraparound services and support.
Līhuʻe Civic Center
- All in-person and counter services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center are closed through Friday following a fire at the Kāpule Building.
- DMV services are unavailable. Appointments will be rescheduled; significant delays are expected when services resume.
- The fire damaged critical County IT systems, affecting transactions, records and phone lines. Temporary systems are being developed.
- Field operations, including residential refuse collection and transfer stations, continue as scheduled.
- Emergency services remain available. Call 911 for emergencies.
- County offices outside the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain open.
- For questions, please contact KEMA at 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833.
Avoid unnecessary travel on roadways
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.
The Kauaʻi Bus
Regular bus and paratransit service resumed Monday. However, the 900 and 950 Anahola-Waimea express routes will not run this week.
Questions and additional information about the Kauaʻi Bus, 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.
Road closures
Numerous roads continue to be closed islandwide.
State road closures and openings
The state Transportation Department reports no state highway is closed in a way that keeps people from reaching their homes.
- Kaumualiʻi Highway (Vicinity of Halfway Bridge): Tree/debris removal ongoing; crews will use the shoulder to minimize traffic impacts.
- Kūhiō Highway (Vicinity of Princeville Transfer Station to Kapaka Street): Tree/Debris removal and one lane shifting. (Tomorrow – 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.).
- Kūhiō Highway (Vicinity of Kalihiwai Bridge): Tree/Debris removal ongoing and one lane shifting. (Tomorrow – 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.).
- Wainiha Bridge #3 (Double bridge on Hāʻena Side): Repair work ongoing. Bridge open to local traffic only. 5-ton weight limit.
- Crews will resume debris clearing under the mauka Wailua River Bridge on Sept. 20.
- Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon roads are still being cleared.
- Halewili Road is open from the ʻEleʻele side of Kaumualiʻi Highway but remains closed from the Kalāheo side of the highway to Kauaʻi Coffee due to downed utility poles.
- Kūhiō Highway: Princeville to Keʻe Beach open to local traffic only.
Neighborhood centers closed
All neighborhood centers remain 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.
Kauaʻi County public schools
Students returned to public classrooms across Kauaʻi on Monday with the exception of Kīlauea and Hanalei elementary schools.
Kīlauea Elementary and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School are set to reopen to staff and students on Tuesday.
Hanalei Elementary School’s reopening following Hurricane Lowell has been delayed to provide additional time for the school community to recover from significant storm impacts in the surrounding area.
Teachers and staff will return to campus Friday, Sept. 18, to prepare for reopening, with students returning Monday, Sept. 21. The school had previously planned for employees to return this Tuesday and students Wednesday.
While the campus remains closed, the school is working to provide instructional packets and shelf-stable meal boxes for families to pick up this week.
The Department will continue working with government leaders, school leaders and community partners and will provide families with any additional updates as needed.
Student transportation also remains impacted.
Special education curb-to-curb transportation will continue to be provided. However, some regular education bus routes will be unable to operate or will operate with modified service due to road conditions and detours. Schools have communicated directly with affected families about the status of bus transportation. For bus service information, click here.
All schools will be providing non-perishable, shelf-stable meals.
Household waste and recycling
Normal weekday islandwide refuse collection resumed Monday morning to accessible areas. Residents should only place their carts out for collection on their designated pickup day.
The County is now operating seven sites to dispose of storm debris and refuse. Each site will only accept specific materials, so the public is advised to appropriately separate their waste items before making any drop-offs.
Site hours, locations and accepted materials are as follows:
- Kīlauea Temporary Site: 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Kūhiō Highway, green waste (located past the Kīlauea roundabout and across the street from Anaina Hou Community Park)
- Kapaʻa Temporary Site: 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.,Kapaʻa Bypass Road, green waste (accessed via the southbound, one-way lane of Kapaʻa Bypass Road adjacent to the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex)
- Kapaʻa Transfer Station: 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Kahau Road, debris
- Līhuʻe Transfer Station: 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Ahukini Road, debris and green waste
- Hanapēpē Transfer Station: 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Lele Road, debris and green waste
- Hanalei Transfer Station: 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Kūhiō Highway, debris
- Kekaha Landfill Residential: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., debris and green waste
All debris (not including green waste) must not be longer than 3 feet.
HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe has reopened at the Kauaʻi Resource Center and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is closed at lunchtime from noon to 1:30 p.m. Other locations will remain closed until equipment is repaired.
Help manage 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.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative restored power to approximately 80 additional customers over the past 24 hours as crews continue working across the island to repair damage caused by Hurricane Lowell.
Power is now restored for about 82% of the island as of Monday morning. Roughly 6,820 members are still without power. Pocket outages remain in portions of Anahola, Kapa‘a, Wailuā, Līhu‘e, Po‘ipū, ʻŌmaʻo, Kalāheo, Lāwa‘i, Hanapēpē and Kaumakani. Kōke‘e also remains out.
Teams have isolated a section of a transmission line from Princeville to Wainiha, allowing crews to safely complete repairs in the affected area while simultaneously reenergizing surrounding areas where power can be safely restored.
This work is part of restoration work prompting a lane closure on the Hanalei side of the Hanalei Bridge.
No timeline is available on when repairs will be complete or when the lane closure will be lifted. Drivers should be prepared for extended delays. Flaggers will be on site for traffic control, but please use extra caution around coned work areas.
Mutual aid: An additional 80 mutual aid personnel were deployed today, bringing the total number of personnel assigned to field operations to approximately 250. Crews are focusing on the extensive North Shore restoration effort as well as remaining pocket outages elsewhere on the island.
The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative is utilizing its existing contractors — Premium Utility Contractor, Asplundh and Wiggins Tech — along with mutual aid partners Hawaiian Electric Company, Southern California Edison and HMS Construction, Inc. to complete restoration work as safely and quickly as possible.
North Shore update: Line crews, working alongside Hawaiian Electric personnel, continued repairing damaged lines, poles and electrical equipment on the North Shore today.
Based on progress to date, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative anticipates that the first North Shore restorations could occur in portions of Princeville and Hanalei Wednesday, although any number of factors – including weather – could impact this estimate.
Once those first restorations are made, there will be a better estimated restoration timeline for the rest of the North Shore. These restoration estimates are based on current conditions and may change if crews encounter additional damage or other unforeseen challenges.
Equipment and supplies: Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative currently has adequate inventories of poles, conductor, transformers and other equipment needed to continue repair and restoration work for the foreseeable future. Additional orders are being placed to replenish inventory and help ensure restoration work can continue without interruption due to supply shortages.
Generation resources: All of Kaua‘i’s large conventional generating units at Port Allen and Kapaia have returned to pre-storm operational status and are sufficient to meet the island’s anticipated electricity needs for the foreseeable future. The Tesla Solar+Storage facility and AES Lāwa‘i Solar+Storage facility are also operational and available to help meet islandwide electricity demand.
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.
Kaua‘i County Department of Water
No precautionary boil water notices are in effect and all water systems are fully restored.
However, an islandwide conservation notice remains in effect as department remote sites continue to rely on generator power. Customers are asked to limit water use to essential needs.
Report outages, low pressure or water main breaks at 808-245-5400 or visit the department website.
Visit the Water Department website and follow the department on social media for additional information and updates. Receive alerts by signing up for Everbridge.
Tax relief and damage assessments
To help make it easier for storm victims to submit damage assessments and file for disaster tax relief, the County has launched a new website with links to necessary forms and documents.
If your home, business, farm, or ranch suffered damage from Hurricane Lowell, visit kauai.gov/lowellrealproperty.
To submit a tax remission form, drop it off in person at the Līhuʻe Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Rotunda or email rpassessment@kauai.gov. You can also mail it to the Līhue Civic Center at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
The deadline to submit for a tax remission is June 30, 2027.
Fuel barge arrives at Port Allen
A fuel barge successfully arrived and off-loaded Sunday morning at Port Allen.
The harbor at Port Allen is open to all government transportation. Rumors that it is closed are false; however, commercial activities such as charter excursions and tour boat operations are suspended until further notice.
Nāwiliwili Harbor is open to cargo ships. No cruise ships are coming in.
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
Anaina Hou remains without power and cleanup continues. Tripp’s Hale, located next to the playground, was severely damaged during the storm.
The park will be closed Monday to allow cleanup and recovery work to continue.
Food distribution through the North Shore Food Pantry will happen as scheduled near the Park & Ride.
Food distribution
Food distributions will continue at the following locations:
- 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday: Anahola Clubhouse, 3900 Kawelo St., Anahola.
- 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday: Kōloa Ball Park, Maluhia Road, Kōloa.
- 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday: St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road, Kōloa.
- 10 a.m. to noon Thursday: Westside Christian Center, 8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha.
SNAP replacement
Households impacted by Hurricane Lowell on Kaua‘i could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
U.S. Department of Agriculture is allowing 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 are 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.
Kong Radio FM 93.5
Kong FM 93.5 is live and actively reporting local news, on air and streaming online.
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
Departing passengers can return to the recommended predeparture guidance of 90 minutes for interisland flights and 2 hours for flights to the mainland now that commercial power is restored.
Refuge areas
As of 1 a.m. Sunday, There were 49 people using the three refuge areas that remain open. Locations are:
- Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center, 3353 ʻEono St.
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Pāpālina Road
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street
County, state and other closures/service disruptions
- Līhuʻe Civic Center will remain closed through this week after a fire at the Kāpule Building.
- 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.
Brown Water advisory
An islandwide brown water advisory remains in effect 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.
State offices to reopen Monday
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.
Courthouse to reopen Monday
The Puʻuhonua Kaulike courthouse in Līhuʻe will resume operations on 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.
Disaster Declarations
Hawaiʻiʻs congressional delegation — senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and representatives Jill Tokuda and Ed Case — on Sunday urged a speedy approval of Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green’s requests for presidential major disaster declarations for communities throughout the state impacted by Hurricanes Lowell and Lala.
The Trump administration’s approval of the requests would help ensure affected communities can access critical federal funding and resources needed to support response, recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“We request that you act quickly to grant Hawai‘i access to all available assistance from federal agencies to speed our recovery from a succession of extreme events in less than 6 months: the kona lows (March), the Kona earthquake (May), Hurricane Lala (August), Tropical Storm Moke (August) and Hurricane Lowell (September),” the delegation wrote in their letter to Trump. “The cumulative impact of these events exceeds the capacity of the state and our counties, warranting federal assistance.”
They added that swift approval of these requests would ensure urgently needed aid to residents impacted by these disasters, including expanded eligibility for food assistance under the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Mold warning
Health officials urge residents to address any mold growth in their homes and on their personal items. Exposure can elicit serious health risks such as breathing problems, allergic reactions and infections.
If you plan to clean any areas growing mold, remember these tips:
- Wear protective gear such as gloves, N-95 masks, boots and eye protection.
- Before cleaning, lightly spray moldy surfaces with a soapy solution to reduce airborne particles.
- Clean with soap and water, then disinfect using a bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water). Open windows and doors first and air out rooms after cleaning. Never mix bleach with cleaning products containing ammonia. Use as directed on the label.
- Allow at least 15 minutes of contact time, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Discard materials that cannot be safely cleaned including carpets, mattresses, upholstery and other porous items that have been wet more than 24 to 48 hours or items that cannot be laundered or disinfected.
Avoid disaster recovery scams
Kauaʻi Police Department continues to urge residents remain vigilant for scams during ongoing Hurricane Lowell recovery.
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.
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.
Qualifying members have access to a range of support options under this program, 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.
To learn more, visit any of the credit union’s 14 branch locations or call the Member Service Call Center at 808-587-2700.
Kauaʻi Community College
Kauaʻi Community College initiated a phased re-opening on Monday, with all in-person and online classes resuming Tuesday.
Phased reopening timeline
- 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.
Resident-submitted damage assessments Sunday surpassed a total of 550.
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.
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.
Verizon is waiving domestic calls, texts and data charges for consumer value, postpaid and small business customers through Sept. 14 for those on Kauaʻi.
Satellite messaging provides backup if terrestrial services are unavailable.
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
Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority encourage travelers with trips booked for Kauaʻi to consider visiting another island to allow the Garden Isle time to heal and recover.
The rest of the state continues to welcome visitors, but it urges anyone with upcoming trips to the islands to monitor conditions.
Next storm
State officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Norbert, which is 1,125 miles east of Hilo as of the 5 a.m. Monday advisory of the National Hurricane Center. A gradual weakening trend is forecast during the next couple of days, and Norbert could become a post-tropical cyclone Tuesday.
But it is never the wrong time to prepare for storms. Click here for preparedness information.
