Sept. 11, 4:50 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Update
County launches KauaiRecovers.org to assist residents with storm recovery
LĪHUʻE – As Kauaʻi continues to recover from Hurricane Lowell, County officials have launched KauaiRecovers.org, a centralized resource connecting residents with important information and assistance. The website provides ways for residents to report damage to their homes, address safety concerns, and properly dispose of storm debris. It also includes information on where to receive assistance, ways to support recovery, and the latest updates on the County’s ongoing storm response.
“We know there are many hands coming together to help our island right now, and KauaiRecovers.org serves as a one-stop shop connecting our residents with the critical information and assistance they need,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “This website provides ways for people to receive help, but also opportunities for those who want to give back and support our recovery. This is community helping community. Just as we saw 34 years ago following Hurricane Iniki, we are once again seeing neighbors helping neighbors. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our neighbor island brothers and sisters, as well as our state, federal, and nonprofit partners who have stepped forward to help Kauaʻi in our time of need.”
As part of the ongoing response to Hurricane Lowell, the County has conducted approximately 301 preliminary damage assessments. So far, 57 homes have been reported with major damage, and at least seven homes have been destroyed.
The following are updates regarding post-disaster response.
Food distribution (NEW UPDATE)
Food distribution is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at the following locations:
- 7 to 8 a.m. – ʻEleʻele Baptist Church, ʻEleʻele
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Anaina Hou Community Park, Kīlauea
The Kauaʻi Bus has modified its routes to include stops at food distribution sites.
Solid Waste Division (NEW UPDATE)
- The Kekaha Landfill will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
- The Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station is closed due to capacity and access issues.
- The Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa, and Hanapēpē refuse transfer stations will be open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
- Although service is usually suspended on Saturdays, Solid Waste Division crews will collect refuse at limited capacity from Lāwaʻi, Kalāheo, and ʻŌmaʻo.
- Regular islandwide collection is expected to resume Monday, Sept. 14.
- The Solid Waste Division is working to set up alternate green waste collection sites in Kīlauea, Kapaʻa, and Līhuʻe.
- The County’s recycling contractor will resume processing HI-5 materials in Līhuʻe on Saturday, Sept. 12. Service in all other locations remains suspended pending equipment repairs.
Refuge areas (NEW UPDATE)
To allow Kauaʻi High School to resume operations, the County will transition the Līhuʻe refuge area from the Kauaʻi High School gym to the Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The following refuge area will close at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12:
- Kauaʻi High School gym, 3577 Lala Road, Līhuʻe
The following refuge area will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12:
- Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center, 3353 ʻEono Street, Līhuʻe
The following refuge areas remain open:
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road, Kalāheo
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street, Kīlauea
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 to 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 state Department of Transportation and County Department of Public Works crews assess and clear roadways.
County facilities and services (NEW UPDATE)
- Līhuʻe Civic Center public offices and services remain closed until further notice following a fire at the Kapule Building. Affected services include Real Property, Planning, building and zoning, Wastewater, and sewer billing. Division of Motor Vehicles services, including driver’s licensing and vehicle registration, are also closed until further notice.
- Essential government service employees, including educators, may be called in to prepare for facility reopenings. Employees should contact their appropriate administrator for guidance.
- All County parks, campgrounds, and the Wailua Golf Course are closed until further notice.
- County swimming pools at Waimea and Kapaʻa are closed until further notice.
- All County board and commission meetings are suspended until further notice.
- The Kauaʻi County Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, has been canceled.
- 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 state Department of Land and Natural Resources parks and 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 U.S. Coast Guard has reopened Nāwiliwili Harbor to commercial traffic. Cruise ships are not arriving at this time.
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 Friday, KIUC had restored power to 72 percent 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
The Kauaʻi Department of Water has restored 97 percent 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 the Department of Water at 808-245-5400. Updates will be posted at kauaiwater.org and on the department’s social media channels.
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:
- 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 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 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.
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