Kaua‘i News

The Līhuʻe Airport closed at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, and state, county offices, Department of Education schools, and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary operations will be closed on Tuesday.

The siren was activated Monday night before hurricane-force winds from Lowell were forecast to arrive, giving residents a final signal to move indoors and stay there

The storm with sustained winds of 110 mph is moving north-northeastward at 18 mph, with the core forecast to pass near or just west of Niʻihau tonight and early Tuesday.

People living or staying at exposed oceanfront properties on Kauaʻi that could get high storm surge should move to a safer location as soon as possible, before wind, rain and ocean conditions make travel unsafe.

The National Weather Service has now issued a flash flood warning for Kauaʻi, Niʻihau.

On Sunday it was the calm before the storm, with Kauaʻi County officials urging residents to brace for severe weather starting to arrive Monday by stocking supplies, securing homes, and considering refuge areas as a last resort.

Customers are asked to limit water use to essential uses only such as drinking, cooking, laundry and sanitation purposes until Hurricane Lowell has safely passed and conditions have returned to normal.

David Hitzl, National Weather Service Emergency Response Specialist, said the biggest threat Category 3 Hurricane Lowell poses to Kaua‘i County is surf, which “is going to be enormous.”

Crews on Aug. 16 began clearing Kainahola Stream in Kapaʻa along Kapaʻa Bypass Road; an estimated completion date will be released as work progresses.

$22,000 in Kaua‘i Strong funds deployed to 3 local nonprofits to strengthen resilience of vulnerable families and households by enabling delivery of proactive preparedness outreach and rapid procurement and distribution of essential food, supplies and other life-sustaining resources before the storm.

Free, family-friendly event brings 30-plus vendors, health teams, live entertainment and local food to Waimea on Sept. 19.

Event organizers said canceling was a last resort after they explored alternate routes, reduced road closures and other adjustments, but none were acceptable.

The 4-year project, in partnership with University of Nebraska-Lincoln, began Sept. 1 and will combine artificial intelligence, environmental sampling, advanced genetic analysis and high-resolution chemical analysis to identify and monitor potential risks to aquaculture, livestock and agricultural systems.

Moisture along the eastern flank of Hurricane Lowell will bring periods of heavy rain to the main Hawaiian Islands late Sunday through Tuesday.

Granting the 15-day extension provides a 45-day acceptance period, the maximum allowable time by state law; the state now has until Sept. 29 to decide on impact statement.

Guests also will have the opportunity to tour the Kauaʻi Veterans Museum, which will be open during the event.

Plastic pollution doesn’t take vacations — and luckily, neither does the Surfrider network; even as summer winds down, Surfrider activists have been hard at work reducing plastic pollution and protecting beloved places.

The Port of Nāwiliwili will be open with special gate hours from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. today (Sept. 5) for cargo pickup.

In observance of Labor Day on Sept. 7 there will be no contraflow or lane closures unless otherwise permitted. The Kaua‘i Marathon and Half-Marathon (https://thekauaimarathon.com/the-race/the-course/) also is scheduled Sept. 6, with several road closures necessary.

Salvin Hilario was sentenced to five years in prison for the death of Kailon Tyndzik in a hit-and-run last year despite family protests against the plea deal.