Mayor Kawakami marks ʻIniki anniversary as Lowell recovery continues

Published on September 11, 2026

LĪHUʻE – Today marks 34 years since Hurricane ʻIniki made landfall on Kauaʻi. As the island recovers from Hurricane Lowell, help is once again arriving from across the state.

“Thirty-four years ago today, ʻIniki changed our island. Many of us remember the hard days that followed, and we also remember who showed up. Neighbors cleared each other’s yards, families shared what they had, and help came from Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and beyond. That is how Kauaʻi rebuilt,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.

“Lowell has tested us again, and once again we are not doing this alone. People from across our state are here working side by side with our own crews to restore power, clear roads, feed families and check on homes. To everyone who answered the call, mahalo. To our community, please keep checking on your kūpuna and your neighbors. Take care of each other. That is who we are, and that is how we will get through this.”

Gov. Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation on Sept. 3, activating the Hawaiʻi National Guard and sending six high-water vehicles to Kauaʻi ahead of the storm. On Wednesday, Green joined Mayor Kawakami on Kauaʻi to assess storm damage and submitted an expedited request for a major disaster declaration to the White House for Kauaʻi and Maui counties. On Thursday, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen joined Mayor Kawakami to assess storm damage. Maui County has sent a debris removal team to Kauaʻi and has offered public information support.

Personnel from across Hawaiʻi are supporting the County’s response. Public information officers from the City and County of Honolulu, including Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s office, are supporting County communications, with some arriving on Kauaʻi before the storm. Honolulu Parks and Recreation staff have also helped with refuge area operations. The Hawaiʻi National Guard is assisting with damage assessments and food distribution, an incident management team from Oʻahu is supporting County emergency operations, and the American Red Cross is helping staff refuge areas. A debris management task force arrived on island Thursday. They are among the many partners helping Kauaʻi recover.

The County has conducted approximately 245 preliminary damage assessments. So far, at least 54 homes have been reported with major damage, and at least seven homes have been destroyed.

If you or someone you know needs help finding food, shelter, financial assistance, mental health support, transportation or other resources, call 211 to reach a trained specialist. You may also call 808-275-2000, text “HELP” to 877-275-6569, or chat with a local specialist at AUW211.org.

The following are updates regarding post-disaster response:

Kauaʻi Recovers website (NEW UPDATE)

The County has launched Kauaʻi Recovers, a new website that brings Hurricane Lowell recovery information together in one place. Visit www.kauairecovers.org to find help or offer help to neighbors, report damage, get storm debris and health and safety information, and access the state’s Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide.

Food distribution (NEW UPDATE)

Food distribution is scheduled today, Friday, Sept. 11, at the following locations:

• ʻEleʻele Baptist Church, 339 Mehana Road, ʻEleʻele, from 7 to 8 a.m.
• Hale Līhuʻe, 4286 Rice St., Līhuʻe, from 8 to 11 a.m.

The Kauaʻi Bus has modified routes to include stops at food distribution sites.

Solid Waste Division (NEW UPDATE)

• The Kekaha Landfill is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please stay off the roads if debris blocks your access to the landfill.
• The Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station is closed due to capacity and access issues.
• The Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa. and Hanapēpē refuse transfer stations open today after 9 a.m. Household and green waste will be accepted until capacity is reached. However, the Kapaʻa refuse transfer station is closed for green waste today, Sept. 11. 
• Solid Waste Division teams will collect refuse at limited capacity from Kalāheo to Anahola today. Residents in these areas should place collection carts at the curb. Do not overfill bins or leave debris sticking out over the top. Place bins clear of overhead wires and away from each other.
• Regular islandwide collection is expected to resume Monday, Sept. 14.
• Goodwill Industries reuse collection at the Kauaʻi Resource Center is canceled today.
• The Solid Waste Division is working to set up alternate green waste collection sites in Kīlauea, Līhuʻe and Kapaʻa. Details will be shared when available.
• Reynolds Recycling in Līhuʻe is open today, Friday, Sept. 11.

Other updates (NEW UPDATE)

• Līhuʻe Civic Center public offices and services remain closed until further notice following a fire at the Kāpule Building. Affected services include Real Property, planning, building and zoning, Wastewater, and sewer bill services. Department of Motor Vehicles services, including driver’s license and vehicle registration, are closed until further notice.
• All County, State and Department of Education offices and schools are closed through today, Friday, Sept. 11. Essential government service employees, including educators, may be called in to prepare for facility reopenings; please contact your appropriate administrator for guidance.
• All County parks, campgrounds and the Wailua Golf Course are closed until further notice.
• The Kauaʻi Bus is running limited service. No fare is required for fixed route or paratransit service at this time. Routes include stops at food distribution sites and refuge areas, and buses run every two hours. For route information, visit kauai.gov/transportation.
• All Department of Land and Natural Resources state parks and state forest reserves are closed until further notice.
• The Pacific Missile Range Facility has closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
• The state Department of Health has issued an islandwide brown water advisory for Kauaʻi. Stay out of floodwaters and ocean water near stream mouths, drainage outlets and harbors, which may contain sewage, animal waste, chemicals and debris.
• The Ocean Safety Bureau advises no swimming or outdoor recreational activities until further notice due to rough ocean conditions and brown water concerns.
• The U.S. Coast Guard has reopened Nāwiliwili Harbor to commercial traffic. Cruise ships are not arriving at this time.

Road closures

Numerous roads are closed islandwide due to storm-related debris and damage. Crews are working as quickly as possible to clear all affected roadways.

• Kūhiō Highway at the double bridges in Wainiha is open for local traffic only and has a weight limit of 5 tons. Access is limited to residents to allow crews to work safely in the area.
• Kaumualiʻi Highway in the vicinity of Moi Road and Puolo Road is open, and traffic is no longer being diverted to Hanapēpē Road.

Traffic lights are non-functioning islandwide. When a traffic light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Additional closures are expected as the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation and County Public Works crews assess and clear roadways.

Essential travel only

The public is urged to drive only for essential needs. Please keep off roads to allow crews to assess damage, clear debris, and restore power and services safely. Do not drive through flooded roadways or around barricades, and stay away from downed power lines.

Document damage

Residents are urged to closely document damage to their homes and property. A damage assessment form is available at bit.ly/kauaidamage. Damage reports help the County understand the scope of residential impacts and may be used to determine whether Kauaʻi qualifies for state or federal assistance. Affected residents still need to file claims with their insurance companies.

Residents can report non-life-threatening roadway and public space hazards at bit.ly/kauaihazard. Businesses can report damage and hazards at bit.ly/lowelldamage.

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (NEW UPDATE)

As of the end of the day Thursday, KIUC has restored power to 72% of the island. Approximately 10,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of more than 33,000. Crews continue working to restore power to remaining members as quickly and safely as possible. Members without power should expect prolonged outages. Stay clear of downed lines and report any that pose an immediate danger to 9-1-1.

• Contact KIUC at 808-246-4300 to update your contact information and receive alerts.
• Outage Center and FAQs: kiuc.outagemap.coop

Kauaʻi Department of Water (NEW UPDATE)

The Kauaʻi Department of Water has restored 97% of its systems. An islandwide conservation notice remains in effect. Customers are asked to limit water use to essential needs while crews work to maintain service.

• Power outages can affect pumps and wells. Water service may be interrupted, or pressure may drop, even if your home is not damaged.
• Do not use water you suspect has been contaminated by flooding.
• Report outages, low pressure or water main breaks to DOW at 808-245-5400. Updates will be posted at kauaiwater.org and on DOW’s social media channels.

Refuge areas (NEW UPDATE)

The following refuge areas remain open:

• Kauaʻi High School Gym, 3577 Lala Road, Līhuʻe
• Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road, Kalāheo
• Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St., Kīlauea

Refuge areas at Waimea Canyon Middle School and Kapaʻa Middle School closed Thursday evening. Anyone going to a refuge area should bring their own disaster supply go-kit, medications and important documents. Household pets are welcome, though owners must bring their own pet food, water, and crates or cages. Do not travel to a refuge area if conditions are unsafe.

Other important numbers and resources

To stay updated, tune in to local media broadcast channels for the most current information. The following resources are available for emergency preparedness:

• Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – kauai.gov/KEMA
• National Weather Service – weather.gov/hfo, or automated weather line at 808-245-6001
• Kauaʻi Department of Water – 808-245-5400 and kauaiwater.org
• Officials remind the public to use 9-1-1 only for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Calls to 9-1-1 for weather updates or general road conditions can significantly delay emergency response. To report non-emergency road hazards or utility issues, contact KPD Dispatch (non-emergency) at 808-755-8516 or 808-652-7837. Due to the ongoing phone outage, KPD’s non-emergency line at 808-241-1711 remains unavailable.

To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services.” You may also text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency’s alternate numbers at 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833. The KEMA non-emergency line, 808-241-1800, remains unavailable due to ongoing outages.

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