Sept. 15, 11:20 a.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery

Published on September 15, 2026

LĪHUʻE – While recovery is progressing in some areas, conditions remain far from normal for many families. Crews continue restoring power, residents are assessing damages and communities are saddled with the difficult cleanup left by Hurricane Lowell. 

To continue to support residents with recovery assets, the County of Kauaʻi today opened two hurricane resource centers – one on the North Shore at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center, the other on the South Shore at the Kōloa Neighborhood Center. 

Power restoration remains a major focus, particularly on the North Shore, where crews continue reconnecting neighborhoods affected by extensive damage. 

New assessment numbers show 10 homes have been destroyed and 67 suffered major damage.

The total number of resident-submitted damage assessments has reached nearly 680 as of this morning.

For recovery help, resources and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org.

For any non-emergency information, call Aloha United Way at 211.

Morning update - at a glance

• Hurricane recovery resource centers open today

• Power is restored for 82% of the island

• Two Hurricane Refuge Areas are closing Wednesday; one will stay open

• Kīlauea and Hanalei Elementary schools prepare to reopen

• New website launched to submit damage assessments and file for tax relief

• Traffic delays continue as transmission line repairs push forward on the North Shore

• Regular bus and paratransit service resumed Monday

• Islandwide water conservation notice remains in effect until further notice

Hurricane Resource Centers now open (NEW UPDATE)

The County today opened two hurricane resource centers – one on the North Shore at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center and the other on the South Shore at the Kōloa Neighborhood Center. 

Both centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents can meet with nonprofit and agency staff in-person for assistance with recovery needs.

The Hanalei initiative will operate an hourly shuttle starting at 9 a.m. from The Hanalei Colony resort in Wainiha to the Hanalei hurricane resource center.

Refuge areas closing 

With power restoration efforts progressing across Kaua‘i, one Refuge Area will remain open while two others will close on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m.

• Closing: Kalāheo and Līhuʻe neighborhood centers

• Remaining open: Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St.

Individuals utilizing refuge areas have the opportunity to connect with case management and other wraparound services and support. 

More support incoming for power restoration (NEW UPDATE)

Power is now restored for about 82% of the island as of this morning. Roughly 6,500 members are still without power.

Nearly 200 utility workers from Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Big Island, Maui and the Mainland are deployed across the island enhancing restoration efforts, and more are on the way.

With Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) receiving support from its local contractors, Premium Utility Contractor/Grid Tree Experts, Wiggins Tech and Asplundh, along with off-island crews from Hawaiian Electric, Southern California Edison and HMS, about 250 workers are expected to be restoring electricity this week.

Teams have isolated a section of a transmission line from Princeville to Wainiha, allowing crews to safely complete repairs in the affected area while simultaneously reenergizing surrounding areas where power can be safely restored.

Work will be ongoing in the North Shore area. No timeline is available on when repairs will be completed.

Flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control. Use extra caution around coned work areas.

Motorists should expect extended delays and are asked to slow down and remain alert. Stay away from downed utility lines and call 911 if a line poses an immediate danger.

Peak outages impacted about 33,000 customers. KIUC has 13 of 16 transmission lines back up.

Update your contact information with KIUC at 808-246-4300 to get alerts. Outage map: kiuc.outagemap.coop

Most schools reopen across the island (NEW UPDATE)

Kīlauea Elementary School reopened today, Sept. 15, following the reopening of most Kauaʻi schools on Monday.

Power outages have continued to affect Hanalei Elementary School, which remains closed to students. The school is developing contingency plans to operate without electricity and plans to reopen to employees at the end of this week and to students next week.

In the meantime, Hanalei Elementary is working to provide instructional packets and shelf-stable meal boxes for families to pick up this week. Details will be provided soon.

Reopening Schedule

• Tuesday, Sept. 15: Kīlauea Elementary School reopened to students and staff

• Friday, Sept. 18: Hanalei Elementary School reopens to employees only

• Monday, Sept. 21: Hanalei Elementary School reopens to students

Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School also reopened Sept. 15 following its previously scheduled closure on Monday, Sept. 14, ahead of the storm.

All Kauaʻi public schools will provide nonperishable, shelf-stable meals.

Transportation: Special education curb-to-curb service will continue. Some regular education bus routes remain unavailable or may operate with modified service due to road conditions and detours. Affected families have been contacted by schools.

Information: Hawaiʻi Department of Education school and transportation updates at https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-kauai-reopen-hurricane-lowell/ and
https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-kauai-school-bus-route-information/.

Tax relief and damage assessments (NEW UPDATE)

To make it easier for storm victims to submit damage assessments and file for disaster tax relief, the County has launched a new website with links to necessary forms and documents.

Visit kauai.gov/lowellrealproperty 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 Street, Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766

• In person: Drop box at the Līhuʻe Civic Center Moʻikeha Rotunda in the Kapule Building

• • The rotunda will be open between 7:45 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

The deadline to submit a tax remission form is June 30, 2027

Mold warning

After severe flooding, health officials are urging residents to address any mold growth in their homes and on their personal items.

Exposure can elicit serious health risks including breathing problems, allergic reactions, and infections. 

If you plan to clean any areas growing mold, remember the following tips:

• Wear protective gear such as gloves, N-95 masks, boots and eye protection during cleanup.

• Before cleaning, lightly spray moldy surfaces with a soapy solution to reduce airborne particles.

• Clean with soap and water, then disinfect using a bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water). Open windows and doors first and air out rooms after cleaning. Never mix bleach with other cleaning products containing ammonia. Use as directed on the label.

• Allow at least 15 minutes of contact time, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

• Discard materials that cannot be safely cleaned, including carpets, mattresses, upholstery and other porous items wet for more than 24–48 hours, or items that cannot be laundered or disinfected. 

Household waste and recycling (NEW UPDATE)

Normal weekday islandwide refuse collection will continue throughout the week to accessible areas.

The County is now operating seven sites to dispose of storm debris and refuse.

Each site will only accept specific materials, so the public is advised to appropriately separate their waste items before making any drop-offs.

Site hours, locations, and accepted materials are as follows:

• Kīlauea Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway | Green Waste
  (located past the Kīlauea roundabout and across the street from Anaina Hou Community Park)

• Kapaʻa Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kapaʻa Bypass Road | Green Waste
  (accessed via the southbound (one-way) lane of Kapaʻa Bypass Road adjacent to the
  Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex)

• Kapaʻa Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kahau Road | Debris

• Līhuʻe Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Ahukini Road | Debris & Green Waste 

• Hanapēpē Transfer Station | 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Lele Road | Debris & Green Waste

• Hanalei Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway | Debris

• Kekaha Landfill | Residential: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m./Commercial 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
  Kaumuali'i Highway - Debris & Green Waste

The public is reminded that all debris (not including green waste) must not be longer than 3 feet.

HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe has reopened at the Kauaʻi Resource Center and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from Noon to 1:30 p.m.). Other locations will remain closed until equipment is repaired.

The Kauaʻi Bus

Regular bus and paratransit service resumed today and will continue through the week, with no fare payment needed through the end of the week.

The 900 and 950 Anahola-Waimea express routes will not run this week. 

For bus route information, call 808-246-8110 or visit www.kauai.gov/transportation.

Neighborhood Centers closed

All Neighborhood Centers are 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. 

Food distribution

Food distributions will continue at the following locations:

• 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 

• Thursday, Sept. 17 - Westside Christian Center, 8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

County closures

• 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; 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. (Tomorrow – 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.).

• Kūhiō Highway (Vicinity of Kalihiwai Bridge): Tree/Debris removal ongoing and one lane shifting. (Tomorrow – 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 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 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 due to downed utility poles.

• Kūhiō Highway: Princeville to Keʻe Beach open to local traffic only.

Airport and harbors

• Līhuʻe Airport is open and fully operational. 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

An islandwide water conservation notice remains in effect until further notice. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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.

Post-storm scam warning

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.

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

• Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – kauai.gov/KEMA

• National Weather Service – weather.gov/hfo or 808-245-6001

• Department of Water – 808-245-5444 or kauaiwater.org

• Aloha United Way 211 – 808-275-2000 or AUW211.org

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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