Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery
Published on September 15, 2026
LĪHUʻE – Recovery efforts continue across Kauaʻi following Hurricane Lowell, with several important steps being taken today to restore services and support residents. Certain County parks and park facilities are reopening, select water conservation notices have been lifted and two hurricane resource centers have opened to provide residents with access to recovery information and assistance.
Power restoration remains a major focus, particularly on the North Shore, where crews continue reconnecting neighborhoods affected by extensive damage.
While progress is being made, many residents continue to face impacts from the storm, and the County remains focused on restoring essential services, reopening public facilities and supporting residents and communities throughout the recovery.
For recovery help, resources and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org.
For any non-emergency information, call Aloha United Way at 211.
Afternoon update - at a glance
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Two hurricane recovery resource centers opened today
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Power is restored for 83% of the island
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Two Hurricane Refuge Areas are closing Wednesday; one will stay open
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Many County park and park facilities will reopen Wednesday
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Most Kauaʻi public schools reopened this week
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Water conservation notices were LIFTED for select service areas; however, the notice remains in place for the majority of the island.
Many County park and park facilities reopening
Many of the hard-hit County park and park facilities will reopen as of noon Wednesday, Sept. 16. When re-entering, use caution and heed isolated amenities that may remain closed. Certain beach parks – Ha’ena, Blackpot, Poipu and Salt Pond – along with Hanapepe Stadium football field, are still closed due to storm-related damages.
Water Conservation Notice (NEW UPDATE)
The Department of Water (DOW) has LIFTED the water conservation notice for the Hanapēpē-Ele’ele and Kekaha-Waimea Water Systems service areas on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Customers in these service areas may now resume normal water use.
Water Conservation Notices remain in effect until further notice for the following areas:
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Anahola Water System
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ʻAnini Water System
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Haʻena-Wainiha Water System
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Hanalei Water System
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Kalāheo-Kōloa Water System
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Kīlauea Water System
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Līhuʻe-Kapaʻa Water System
For areas under Water Conservation Notices, please only use water for essential needs.
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Outages can affect pumps and wells, so water may cut out or lose pressure.
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Do not use water if you believe it has been contaminated by flooding.
Hurricane resource centers now open (NEW UPDATE)
Two County 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 – opened today.
Both centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 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.
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Closing: Kalāheo and Līhuʻe neighborhood centers
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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.
Power restoration updates
Power is now restored for about 83% of the island as of this afternoon. Approximately 6,488 members are still without power.
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, teams of personnel are collaborating to restore electricity this week.
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Work will be ongoing in the North Shore area. No timeline is available on when repairs will be completed.
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Flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control. Use extra caution around coned work areas.
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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
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:
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Email: rpassessment@kauai.gov
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Mail: Līhuʻe Civic Center, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
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In person: Drop box at the Līhuʻe Civic Center Moʻikeha Rotunda in the Kapule Building
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The deadline to submit a tax remission form is June 30, 2027.
Storm debris, household waste and recycling (NEW UPDATE)
STORM DEBRIS AND REFUSE DISPOSAL: 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 waste items before making drop-offs. All debris (not including green waste) must not be longer than three feet.
Green waste is organic plant material from yards, landscaping or storm cleanup, such as tree branches, leaves, grass clippings, brush, shrubs and other vegetation.
Site hours (closing times subject to change), locations and accepted materials are:
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Kīlauea Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway | Green Waste
(located past the Kīlauea roundabout and across the street from Anaina Hou Community Park)
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Kapaʻa Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. - 4:30 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)
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Kapaʻa Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kahau Road | Debris
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Līhuʻe Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Ahukini Road | Debris & Green Waste
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Hanapēpē Transfer Station | 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Lele Road | Debris & Green Waste
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Hanalei Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway | Debris
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Kekaha Landfill | Residential: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m./Commercial 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
Kaumuali'i Highway - Debris & Green Waste
HOUSEHOLD RECYCLABLES: HI-5 redemption in Līhuʻe has reopened at the Kauaʻi Resource Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1:30 p.m.) Monday through Saturday. HI-5 redemption in Kapa’a has reopened for its normal operating hours and days: Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other HI-5 redemption locations will remain closed until equipment is repaired. All Kaua’i Recycles drop sites, with the exception of Hanalei Transfer Station, are accepting materials.
SCRAP METAL AND APPLIANCES: Scrap metal and appliances are being accepted for recycling at Puhi Metals, open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kapa’a and Hanapepe Transfer Stations are also accepting scrap metal and appliances from residents.
E-WASTE: Electronic waste is being accepted at Puhi Metals.
REGULAR TRASH COLLECTION: Normal, weekday islandwide refuse collection will continue throughout the week to accessible areas.
Mold warning
After flooding, State Department of Health officials are urging residents to address any mold growth. Mold exposure carries serious health risks, including breathing problems, allergic reactions and infections. For information on how to clean mold and mud post-flood, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-issues-guidance-on-post-flood-cleanup-and-health-safety/.
The Kauaʻi Bus
Regular bus and paratransit service resumed Monday, 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 information, call (808) 246-8110 or visit www.kauai.gov/transportation.
Food distribution
Food distributions will continue at the following locations:
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Thursday, Sept. 17 - St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road, Kōloa | 4:30 to 6 pm
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Thursday, Sept. 17 - Westside Christian Center, 8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
County closures
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The Waimea and Kapaʻa pools, along with Wailua Golf Course, are closed.
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All Neighborhood Centers are closed until further notice.
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County board and commission meetings are suspended.
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The Sept. 16 County Council meeting is canceled.
Report storm damage
As of this afternoon, 716 resident-submitted damage assessments have been logged. So far, 18 homes have been destroyed and 101 homes have suffered major damages.
Residents are encouraged to report storm 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.
Most schools reopen across the island
Most Kauaʻi schools opened this week, with the exception of Hanalei Elementary School. The school is developing contingency plans to operate without electricity and plans to reopen to employees on Sept. 18 and to students on Sept. 21. Boxes with three days’ worth of shelf-stable meals for children 18 and younger (must be present to receive) will be available Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hanalei Elementary School, according to the state Department of Education (DOE).
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.
DOE school and transportation updates at https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-kauai-reopen-hurricane-lowell/ and
https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-kauai-school-bus-route-information/.
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.
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.
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