Kaua‘i County is in Day 10 of recovery from Hurricane Lowell.
Recovery efforts continue around Kauaʻi as crews prepare for increased rain from remnants of former Tropical Storm Norbert and work to restore communities hit by Hurricane Lowell.
Residents should prepare for possible temporary closures of county roads, facilities and services if conditions worsen. Even small amounts of rain can affect vulnerable areas hard-hit by Hurricane Lowell. Conditions are expected to vary around the island.
While power and essential services are restored in some areas, other communities, particularly along the North Shore, continue to recover from significant Lowell impacts.
The recent fire at the Kāpule Building in Līhuʻe destroyed infrastructure tht has plunged Kauaʻi’s DMV operations into chaos, halting in-person services and leaving residents scrambling for alternative solutions. For full story, click here.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Wednesday evening that all state land and parks it oversees will remain closed for the foreseeable future. For full story, click here.
Hanalei Initiative is running an hourly shuttle starting at 9 a.m. from The Hanalei Colony resort in Wainiha to the Hanalei resource center.
Visit KauaiRecovers.org for recovery help, resources and update. You also can call Aloha United Way at 2-1-1, text “HELP” to 877-275-6569 or chat with a local specialist at AUW211.org for any non-emergency information.
Water conservation notice
Water Conservation Notices remain in effect for:
- Anahola Water System
- ʻAnini Water System
- Hāʻena-Wainiha Water System
- Kīlauea Water System
In these areas:
- Use water only for essential needs.
- Outages can affect pumps and wells, so water may cut out or lose pressure.
- Do not use water if you believe it has been contaminated by flooding.
All other areas have had their water conservation notices canceled. Click here for more information about areas still under conservation notices. Visit the Water Department website and follow the department on social media for additional information and updates. Receive alerts by signing up for Everbridge.
Kīlauea refuge area remains open
The only refuge that remains open is Kīlauea Neighborhood Center at 2460 Keneke St.
People staying at refuge areas can connect with case management and other wraparound services and support.
Power restoration updates
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative said about 91% of customers have power, with 3,100 remaining to be restored as of Wednesday evening:
- Moloaʻa to Hanalei: About 2,000 members.
- Wainiha and Hāʻena: About 500 members.
- Kōkeʻe: About 100 members. (Kōke‘e remains without power; a restoration timeline has not been developed for the area.)
- Scattered pockets from Anahola to Kekaha: About 500 members.
Crews worked Wednesday to restore additional members in Hanalei, Kīlauea and other areas between Moloaʻa and Hanalei. There is no exact timeframe when these areas will be completely restored.
Personnel also continued planning for necessary repairs to transmission infrastructure that feeds Wainiha and Hā‘ena, with the earliest estimated restoration at the end of next week. Helicopter assistance is required. In addition to infrastructure repair, significant work remains to clear debris, open access ways and manage vegetation in the area.
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, its contractors and mutual aid partners also continue to address a number of small outages remaining in areas between Anahola and Kekaha.
Pending service orders and line extensions:
The utility cooperative suspended processing routine service orders and line extensions to focus all efforts on Hurricane Lowell restoration efforts, including safety-related service orders. Refrain from calling to check on the status of your service order or application so the co-op can remain focused on restoration priorities.
Outage verifications:
If your insurance carrier requires verification of an outage caused by Hurricane Lowell, download, fill out and then submit this form per instructions on the form. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative will process the request as quickly as possible. It must be submitted by the member of record for your account. Remember to sign the form before submitting it. You also can find this information on the cooperative website.
Remember to make sure your contact information with Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is updated by calling 808-246-4300 to get alerts. Check ongoing outages online.
Find links to helpful resources on the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative website. 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.
Food distribution
- 10 a.m. to noon Thursday: Westside Christian Center, 8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha.
- 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday: St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road, Kōloa.
SNAP replacement
Households impacted by Hurricane Lowell on Kaua‘i could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
The 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.
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 information technology 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 9-1-1 for emergencies.
- County offices outside the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain open.
- For questions, call 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.
State road closures and openings
Numerous roads continue to be closed islandwide; however, 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. (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
- Kūhiō Highway (vicinity of Kalihiwai Bridge): Tree/debris removal ongoing and one-lane shifting. (8:30 a.m. to 3 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 because of downed utility poles.
- Kūhiō Highway: Princeville to Keʻe Beach open to local traffic only.
Kauaʻi County public schools
All public schools are open except Hanalei Elementary. Teachers and staff will return to campus Friday to prepare for reopening, with students returning Monday, Sept. 21.
Student transportation
Student transportation also remains impacted around Kauaʻi.
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.
Tax relief and damage assessments
The county launched a new website with links to necessary forms and documents to make it easier for storm-impacted property owners to submit damage assessments and file for disaster tax relief.
Visit the site if your home, business, farm or ranch suffered damage from Hurricane Lowell.
To submit a tax remission form:
- Email: rpassessment@kauai.gov
- Mail: Līhuʻe Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
- In-person: Drop box at the Līhuʻe Civic Center Moʻikeha Rotunda in the Kāpule Building
- Open hours: Rotunda will be open between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Deadline to submit a tax remission form: June 30, 2027
Storm debris, household waste and recycling
County waste disposal and temporary sites could close or adjust hours for safety. Check for the latest updates before traveling to a disposal site.
The county is operating seven sites to dispose of storm debris and refuse. Each site will only accept specific materials, so the public is advised to separate waste items before making drop-offs. All debrisexcept green waste, must be 3 feet long or shorter.
Green waste is organic plant material from yards, landscaping or storm cleanup, such as tree branches, leaves, grass clippings, brush, shrubs and other vegetation.
Site hours (closing times subject to change), locations and accepted materials are:
- Hanalei transfer station, 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Kūhiō Highway, debris.
- Kīlauea temporary site, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Kūhiō Highway, past Kīlauea roundabout and across from Anaina Hou Community Park, green waste.
- Kapaʻa temporary site, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Kapaʻa Bypass Road, green waste. The site is accessed via the southbound, one-way lane of Kapaʻa Bypass Road adjacent to Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex.
- Kapaʻa transfer station, 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Kāhau Road, debris.
- Līhuʻe transfer station, 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., ʻAhukini Road, debris and green waste.
- Hanapēpē transfer xtation, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Lele Road, debris and green waste.
- Kekaha Landfill, residential waste loads 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., commercial waste loads 8 a.m.to 3:30 p.m., Kaumuali‘i Highway, debris and green waste.
Household recyclables:
HI5 redemption in Līhuʻe has reopened at the Kauaʻi Resource Center, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.). HI5 redemption in Kapaʻa has resumed normal hours, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other HI5 redemption locations remain closed until equipment is repaired. All
- HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe is reopen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) Monday through Saturday at Kauaʻi Resource Center.
- HI-5 redemption in Kapaʻa re-open for normal hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
- Other HI-5 redemption locations remain closed until equipment is repaired. All Kauaʻi Recycles drop sites, except Hanalei transfer station, are accepting materials.
Scrap metal and appliances: Accepted for recycling at Puhi Metals from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Puhi Road location. Kapaʻa and Hanapēpē transfer stations are also accepting scrap metal and appliances from residents.
E-waste: Electronic waste is being accepted at Puhi Metals and Kekaha Landfill.
Regular trash collection: Normal weekday islandwide refuse collection continues to accessible areas.
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.
Ports and harbors
- Nāwiliwili Harbor is open to cargo ships. No cruise ships are arriving.
- Port Allen is open for operations.
Līhuʻe Airport
Departing passengers can return to recommended predeparture guidance of 90 minutes for interisland flights and 2 hours for flights to the mainland.
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.
Food distribution through the North Shore Food Pantry will happen as scheduled near the Park & Ride.
Kong Radio FM 93.5
Kong FM 93.5 is live and actively reporting local news, on air and streaming online.
County, state and other closures/service disruptions
- Waimea and Kapaʻa pools, along with Wailuā Golf Course, remain closed.
- All neighborhood centers are closed until further notice, except in Hanalei and Kōloa, which are serving as hurricane recovery resource centers, and Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, which continues to operate as a refuge area.
- County board and commission meetings are suspended.
- The Sept. 16 county council meeting is canceled.
- All state Department of Land and Natural Resources parks and forest reserves will be closed for the foreseeable future because of widespread damage from Hurricane Lowell. The public is especially urged to avoid Kōke‘e State Park and Kōke‘e Road, where many catastrophic, unmitigated hazards exist throughout the landscape. Road clearing may require many more weeks. These areas will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Trees have fallen across Waimea Canyon Drive, Kokeʻe Road and across virtually all internal park dirt roads that access facilities, including approximately 100 leased recreational cabins.
- Division of State Parks closed the road into Kōkeʻe State Park as part of the total park closure. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation also closed Waimea Canyon Road above the lower junction.
- Following reports of people disregarding the closure and trying to access cabins, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are posted at the junction of Kōkeʻe Road and Waimea Canyon Road, maintaining a 24/7 roadblock, controlling traffic and access. Access is allowed during daytime hours until 6 p.m. for people who have legitimate business. All others continue to be denied entry.
- Pacific Missile Range Facility closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
Board of Water Supply meetings to continue as scheduled
The next regular Kaua’i County Board of Water Supply meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 24 in the Department of Water administration building, second floor board room, at 4398 Pua Loke St. in Līhuʻe.
It was not impacted by the civic center closures and will continue regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
Visit the Department of Water website for additional information.
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.
Courthouse reopen
The Puʻuhonua Kaulike courthouse in Līhuʻe resumed operations Monday, with hearings, trials and other court proceedings proceeding 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.
Mold warning
State health officials urge residents to address any mold growth following flooding. Mold exposure carries serious health risks, including breathing problems, allergic reactions and infections. For information on how to clean mold and mud post-flood, Click here for additional information about how to clean mold and mud post-flood.
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 modified business hours:
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Monday through Saturday.
- Closed: Sunday.
The ‘Ele‘ele Branch hours are:
- 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.
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 Kawakami and 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.
Be prepared for the next storm
It is never the wrong time to prepare for storms. Click here for preparedness information.
