Lowell Recovery

The public is urged to avoid Kōke‘e State Park and Kōke‘e Road, where many catastrophic, unmitigated hazards exist throughout the landscape.

The relief organization started with 18 local volunteers before Hurricane Lowell struck on Labor Day, and at one point had about 100 before scaling down as Kauaʻi recovers.

Customers in those water systems can resume normal water use; there also are several other water systems around the island that continue to be asked to conserve water until further notice.

The community also can directly help communities affected by the storm by donating to or sharing the 2026 Hurricane Relief Fund.

Most of the power was restored in Princeville. Crews today will be working on bringing additional customers online in Hanalei, Kīlauea and other areas between Moloa‘a and Hanalei.

In the wake of Hurricane Lowell’s devastation in Kauaʻi, local businesses like North Shore Bike Doktor and Pineapple Kayaks Kauaʻi face a difficult crossroads as they navigate recovery efforts amid uncertainty in the tourism-dependent economy.

Live corals already were documented washed ashore on Kauaʻi, while underwater assessments are being mobilized to determine the extent of reef damage and marine debris.

The 250 Normalcy Kits were sent by a youth-led nonprofit 5,000 miles to Kaua’i and came with a message: “You are not alone.”

Water conservation notices remain in effect until further notice for customers of several other water systems around the Garden Isle.

Communities in Kauaʻi are tirelessly working through the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell, as striking images reveal the extensive damage caused over Labor Day weekend.

Based on progress to date, the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative said it anticipates the first North Shore restorations could occur Wednesday in portions of Princeville and Hanalei, weather permitting.

The mass food distribution event in support of Hurricane Lowell relief efforts on Kauaʻi and was in partnership with Domino’s Hawaiʻi and Rainbow Helicopters; fresh slices and aloha arrived the afternoon of Sept. 10.

As all four major counties on Hawaiʻi recover from flooding and damages, leaders say coastal retreat, better access and backup power are needed, especially in rural areas.

Teams saw and continue to see significant damage in parts of the island as they work to reach the hardest hit areas; emergency supply distribution and damage assessment teams are making their way into these areas.

Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami said now isn’t the time to visit the Garden Island, but the island is on the path to recovery.

Mountain Biking Kauaʻi is rallying volunteers to help clear trails of debris, but also emphasized that this work is secondary to household and community recovery.

A University of Hawaiʻi team reconstructed Hurricane Lowell hour by hour using observations from a statewide network of weather stations with experimental high-resolution mapping tools.

Kaua‘i County officials held a moment of silence during their morning briefing on Friday for the 25th anniversary of the country’s worst terrorist attack and the impacts of Hurricane ‘Iniki that wrecked the island 34 years ago.

“Now we all again have the opportunity of rebuilding and recovery of our lives together on Kaua’i,” said KONG Radio on-air personality Ron Wiley.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green reports Kauaʻi power restored to 72%; roads, airport and port infrastructure repairs continue in aftermath of storm, also provides update about Hurricane Lala recovery on Big Island.