Sept. 13, 12:20 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery
Published on September 13, 2026
LĪHUʻE – From near and far, help continues to pour in for Kauaʻi in the recovery from Hurricane Lowell.
Overnight and early this morning, utility trucks to help restore energy across the island arrived aboard a giant cargo plane at the Līhuʻe airport.
Although the number of resident-submitted damage assessments have risen to nearly 515, there is encouraging news that the number of evacuees utilizing hurricane refuge areas is going down.
Meanwhile, law enforcement is warning community members to be on high alert for scammers offering assistance to those in need.
For recovery help, resources, and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org.
Today at a glance
- Utility trucks arrive aboard cargo planes to support restoration efforts.
- KPD warns the public of post-disaster scams.
- Officials lift boil water notices for Kīlauea and Wainiha-Haena
- KIUC repair work prompts lane closure in Hanalei.
- Most Kauaʻi schools reopening tomorrow.
- Two temporary debris sites open.
- No bus service is available on Sunday.
- Power is restored for 82% of the island.
- Island-wide water conservation notice remains in effect.
Utility support arrives via military cargo plane(NEW UPDATE)
Late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Air Force crews aboard a Hickam-based C-17 Globemaster III made critical deliveries at the Līhuʻe Airport.
Service members helped offload Southern California Edison crew members and six utility trucks to support KIUC power restoration efforts. The trucks were originally sent to Hilo following Hurricane Lala. The vehicles were transported to Kauaʻi following approval from Governor Josh Green.
This supplement of support is a shining example of collaboration amongst various government agencies and private entities. The cooperation involved seamless communication between the State of Hawaiʻi, The County of Kauaʻi, The U.S. Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, Hawaiʻi National Guard, Southern California Edison and Hawaiian Electric.
Fuel barge arrives at Port Allen (NEW UPDATE)
A fuel barge successfully arrived and offloaded this morning at Port Allen.
The County once again reaffirms its confirmation that Port Allen is open to all government transportation. Rumors that Port Allen is closed are FALSE.
Commercial activities including charter excursions and tour boat operations are currently suspended until further notice.
The County reminds everyone to make sure to confirm all information through official sources and media outlets before sharing or acting on it.
Post-storm scam warning (NEW UPDATE)
The Kauaʻi Police Department is reminding residents to remain vigilant for scams during ongoing recovery from Hurricane Lowell. Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, social media messages, or other communications offering assistance or requesting information.
For verified information regarding Hurricane Lowell recovery, visit the County of Kauaʻi’s official channels and KauaiRecovers.org.
Schools reopening tomorrow (NEW UPDATE)
Nearly all Kauaʻi Department of Education schools will reopen tomorrow, Sept. 14.
Hanalei and Kīlauea Elementary schools will remain closed through at least Sept. 14 but the DOE aims to have the campuses reopened by Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School was previously scheduled to be closed Sept. 14 and is set to reopen as planned on Sept. 15.
Bus routes will operate on modified schedules; individual schools have contacted parents through email and digital app notifications with bus route details.
All schools will be providing non-perishable, shelf-stable meals.
Neighborhood Centers closed
All Neighborhood Centers are now closed until further notice. The Department of Parks and Recreation is temporarily suspending recreational use of these facilities to support the County’s hurricane response and recovery efforts.
The Kauaʻi Bus
No bus routes will be operating today, Sept. 13.
Regular bus and paratransit service resumes tomorrow, Sept. 14.
The 900 and 950 Anahola-Waimea express routes will not run the week of Sept. 13. For route information, call 808-246-8110 or visit www.kauai.gov/transportation.
Food distribution
Food distributions will continue at the following locations:
- Sunday, Sept. 13 - Kapa‘a United Church of Christ, 1315 Ulu Street, Kapa‘a | 1 to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Anahola Clubhouse, 3900 Kawelo Street, Anahola | 4 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Kōloa Ball Park, Maluhia Road, Kōloa | 3 to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 17 - St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road Kōloa | 4:30 to 6 pm
Refuge areas (NEW UPDATE)
As of 1 a.m. Sept. 13, 49 people were utilizing the Countyʻs three Hurricane Refuge Areas that remain open. Locations include:
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street
- Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center, 3353 ʻEono Street
Household waste and recycling
A temporary debris site in Kīlauea off Kūhiō Highway opened at 9 a.m. The site is accepting green waste and is located past the Kīlauea roundabout and across the street from Anaina Hou Community Park.
A temporary green waste site off Kapaʻa Bypass Road is open until 3:15 p.m. today; it can be accessed via the southbound (one-way) lane of Kapaʻa Bypass Road adjacent to the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex.
The Līhuʻe and Hanapēpē transfer stations and Kekaha Landfill are open for debris and green waste.
The Kapa‘a Station is currently not accepting green waste.
The Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station has reopened to accept mixed waste only; no green waste, metals, or appliances are able to be accepted at this time.
Regular islandwide refuse collection pickup for Monday customers is expected to resume Monday, Sept. 14 to accessible areas.
HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe has resumed. Other locations will remain closed until equipment is repaired.
KIUC traffic alert (NEW UPDATE)
Work this morning to repair damaged transmission poles on the Hanalei side of the Hanalei Bridge is prompting a lane closure that’s expected to last into the early evening. Alternating traffic is being allowed through the area but drivers should be prepared for extended delays.
Flaggers will be on site for traffic control, but please use extra caution around coned work areas.
We appreciate everyone’s patience, support, and cooperation while this important work is completed. Please slow down, stay alert, and be safe.
Power restoration (NEW UPDATE)
Power is now restored for about 82% of the island as of Sunday morning. Roughly 7,000 members are still without power. Peak outages impacted about 33,000 customers. KIUC has 13 of 15 transmission lines back up.
Today, about 100 additional personnel from Hawaiian Electric Company, Southern Cal Edison, and HMS Construction, Inc. joined restoration efforts.
In total, KIUC will deploy roughly 250 personnel to help customers get back online.
Heavy focus is being placed on repairing transmission lines serving the North Shore. Once the transmission system is operational, and the distribution lines are deemed safe to energize, KIUC can begin repowering North Shore communities. KIUC aims to begin those restorations early next week.
Stay away from downed utility lines and call 911 if a line is an immediate danger. Update your contact information with KIUC at 808-246-4300 to get alerts. Outage map: kiuc.outagemap.coop
County closures
- Līhuʻe Civic Center remains closed until further notice after a fire at the Kāpule Building. Impacted services include Real Property, Planning, building and zoning, Wastewater, sewer billing, and the DMV, including driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.
- All County parks, campgrounds, and the Wailua Golf Course are closed.
- The Waimea and Kapaʻa pools are closed.
- County board and commission meetings are suspended.
- The Sept. 16 County Council meeting is canceled.
State road closures (NEW UPDATE)
- Kaumualiʻi Highway (Vicinity of Halfway Bridge): Tree/debris removal ongoing with one lane shifting. Crews aim to complete work by 2 p.m. and clear both lanes.
- Kūhiō Highway (Vicinity of Princeville Transfer Station to Kapaka Street): Tree/Debris removal and one lane shifting.
- Kūhiō Highway (Vicinity of Kalihiwai Bridge): Tree/Debris removal ongoing and one lane shifting.
- 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 Sept. 20.
- All of Kuamoʻo Road is clear.
- Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon roads are still being cleared.
- Ahukini Road is now fully open.
- 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
- Monday, Sept. 14: one lane closed on Kaumualiʻi Highway between Kipu Road and Kaumakani, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Airport and harbors:
- Līhuʻe Airport is open and back on regular power. Arrive 90 minutes early for interisland flights and two hours early for flights to the continent.
- Nāwiliwili Harbor is open to cargo ships. No cruise ships are coming in.
- Port Allen is open for operations.
Other closures and advisories:
- State parks and forest reserves are closed.
- The Pacific Missile Range Facility has closed its recreation sites and guest pass program.
- A brown water advisory remains in effect islandwide. Stay out of floodwater and out of the ocean near stream mouths, drains, and harbors. The water may carry sewage, animal waste, chemicals, and debris.
More closures are possible as crews continue clearing roads.
Department of Water (NEW UPDATE)
The Department of Water has canceled the boil water notice for Kīlauea.
DOW systems are fully restored but an island-wide water conservation notice remains in effect. Conservation is needed as DOW remote sites are still relying on generator power.
Please only use water for essential needs.
- Outages can affect pumps and wells, so water may cut out or lose pressure even if your home is fine.
- Do not use water if you believe it has been contaminated by flooding.
- To report a water service outage, or leak, call 808-245-5444. Updates are posted at kauaiwater.org.
Driving
Police are urging the public to travel only if necessary. Officers are escorting work crews, and extra traffic is slowing debris removal, power restoration, and road repairs.
- Skip non-essential travel. This includes general sightseeing and driving to view storm damage.
- Pull to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches.
- Never follow a police escort or use one to get into a closed area.
- Obey closures, barricades, and directions from officers and flaggers.
- Treat every dark traffic light as a four-way stop. Lights are out islandwide.
- Report hazards like downed lines or blocked roads. Do not stop to take photos.
Next storm
State officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Norbert, which could pass the islands late next week. Currently, it is too early to predict the storm’s track, but in anticipation of possible impacts, now is the time to restock your emergency supplies. For preparedness information, visit ready.hawaii.gov.
Visitors
Hawaiʻi is still welcoming visitors but is also urging anyone with upcoming trips to the islands to monitor conditions. The state is also encouraging travelers with upcoming trips to Kauaʻi to consider visiting another island to allow Kauaʻi time to heal and recover from Hurricane Lowell.
Numbers and resources
Use 911 only for life-threatening emergencies. Calls about weather or road conditions tie up the line and delay help for others. For non-emergencies, call KPD Dispatch at 808-755-8516 or 808-652-7837. KPD’s usual non-emergency line, 808-241-1711, is still down.
To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click on “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.
For recovery help, resources, and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org.
Report your damage
Take photos, write down what was damaged, and file a report at bit.ly/kauaidamage. These reports show how much of the island was hit and may help Kauaʻi qualify for state and federal aid. The state has asked for a fast-tracked presidential disaster declaration. You still need to file a claim with your insurance company.
Report roadway and public space hazards at bit.ly/kauaihazard. Businesses can report damage at bit.ly/lowelldamage.
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