Sept. 16, 5:35 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery
LĪHUʻE – Recovery efforts continue across Kauaʻi today as crews prepare for increased rain from the remnants of Norbert and work to restore communities hit by Hurricane Lowell.
Residents should prepare for possible temporary closures of County roads, facilities, and services if conditions worsen. Even small amounts of rain can affect vulnerable areas hard hit by Hurricane Lowell. Conditions are expected to vary across the island.
While power and essential services have been restored in some areas, other communities, particularly along the North Shore, continue to recover from significant Lowell impacts.
Power restoration remains a major focus. Most Princeville customers and some in Hanalei regained power overnight, and crews are working today in Hanalei, Kīlauea, and other North Shore communities.
The County is also providing direct support for residents through two hurricane recovery resource centers at the Hanalei and Kōloa neighborhood centers, which offer recovery information, resources, and assistance.
As conditions allow, many County parks and park facilities reopened today, giving residents access to community spaces as the island moves through recovery.
Officials continue to assess storm damage, restore essential services, and coordinate resources across Kauaʻi.
For recovery help, resources, and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org. For non-emergency information, call Aloha United Way at 211.
Evening update at a glance
- The National Weather Service forecasts rain and flooding risks from the remnants of Norbert tonight through Thursday night
- Two hurricane recovery resource centers, launched Tuesday, remain open daily
- Power is restored for about 91% of KIUC members
- One refuge area remains open; two closed this morning
- Many County parks and park facilities reopened at noon
- Most Kauaʻi public schools reopened earlier this week
- Water conservation notices were LIFTED for five service areas and remain in effect for four: Anahola, ʻAnini, Hāʻena-Wainiha, and Kīlauea
- The Kīlauea Temporary Green Waste Site closed today due to weather. It is scheduled to be opened tomorrow, Sept. 17, weather permitting
Weather outlook (NEW UPDATE)
Moisture left behind by Norbert is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and an increased risk of flooding tonight through Thursday night and possibly Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A Flood Watch is in effect from 6 p.m. today through 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
Trade winds will keep showers focused primarily over windward areas, while elevated moisture and atmospheric instability could increase the potential for flooding, particularly in windward and mountainous areas.
The rain could pose added challenges for areas of Kauaʻi still recovering from Hurricane Lowell, where soils may be saturated, drainage systems compromised, and storm debris still present.
Many County parks and park facilities reopen (NEW UPDATE)
Many hard-hit County parks and park facilities reopened at noon today, Sept. 16. Use caution when visiting, as some amenities may remain closed. Hāʻena, Black Pot, Poʻipū, and Salt Pond beach parks, along with the Hanapēpē Stadium football field, remain closed due to storm damage.
Water conservation notices (NEW UPDATE)
The Department of Water lifted Water Conservation Notices today, Sept. 16, for the Hanalei, Kalāheo-Kōloa/Poʻipū, and Līhuʻe-Kapaʻa (including Puhi) service areas. Notices were lifted Tuesday, Sept. 15, for the Hanapēpē-ʻEleʻele and Kekaha-Waimea service areas. Customers in these service areas may resume normal water use.
Water Conservation Notices remain in effect until further notice for the following service areas:
- Anahola Water System
- ʻAnini Water System
- Hāʻena-Wainiha Water System
- Kīlauea Water System
In these areas:
- Please use water only for essential needs.
- Outages can affect pumps and wells, so water may cut out or lose pressure.
- 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.
Hurricane recovery resource centers open
Residents are encouraged to meet in person with nonprofit and government staff for recovery assistance at two County hurricane recovery resource centers: one on the North Shore at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center and one on the South Shore at the Kōloa Neighborhood Center. Both centers opened Sept. 15 and are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Hanalei Initiative operates an hourly shuttle, starting at 9 a.m., from Hanalei Colony Resort in Wainiha to the Hanalei center.
Kīlauea refuge area remains open
With power restoration progressing across Kauaʻi, one refuge area remains open. Two others closed at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 16.
- Remaining open: Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St.
- Closed this morning: Kalāheo and Līhuʻe neighborhood centers
People staying at refuge areas can connect with case management and other wraparound services and support.
Power restoration (NEW UPDATE)
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) crews restored power to most members in Princeville and some in Hanalei late Tuesday night, bringing islandwide restoration to about 91%. About 3,100 members remain without power:
- Moloaʻa to Hanalei: about 2,000 members
- Wainiha and Hāʻena: about 500 members
- Kōkeʻe: about 100 members
- Scattered pockets from Anahola to Kekaha: about 500 members
Crews are working today to restore more members in Hanalei, Kīlauea, and other areas between Moloaʻa and Hanalei. KIUC has not released specific areas or times. Repairs to the transmission lines that feed Wainiha and Hāʻena require helicopter support, and power there is not expected to return until the end of next week at the earliest.
KIUC is receiving support from 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 Construction.
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 stay alert. Stay away from downed utility lines, and call 911 if a line poses an immediate danger.
Peak outages affected about 33,000 members.
Update your contact information with KIUC at 808-246-4300 to receive alerts. Outage map: kiuc.outagemap.coop
Tax relief and damage assessments (NEW UPDATE)
To make it easier for storm-affected property owners to submit damage assessments and file for disaster tax relief, the County has launched a new website with links to the necessary forms and documents.
Visit kauai.gov/lowellrealproperty if your home, business, farm, or ranch was damaged by Hurricane Lowell. The deadline to submit a tax remission form is June 30, 2027.
To submit a tax remission form:
- Email: rpassessment@kauai.gov
- Mail: Līhuʻe Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
- In person: Dropbox at the Līhuʻe Civic Center Moʻikeha Rotunda in the Kāpule Building. The rotunda is open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Storm debris, household waste, and recycling (NEW UPDATE)
County waste disposal and temporary sites may close or adjust hours for safety. Please check for the latest updates before traveling to a disposal site.
The Kīlauea Temporary Green Waste Site on Kūhiō Highway closed today, Sept. 16, due to weather.
STORM DEBRIS AND REFUSE DISPOSAL: The County is operating seven sites for storm debris and refuse disposal, weather permitting. Each site accepts only specific materials, so please separate waste items before drop-off. All debris, except green waste, must be 3 feet long or shorter.
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:
- Hanalei Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway | Debris
- Kīlauea Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Kūhiō Highway, past the Kīlauea roundabout and across from Anaina Hou Community Park | Green waste
- Kapaʻa Temporary Site | 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Kapaʻa Bypass Road, accessed from the one-way southbound lane next to the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex | Green waste
- Kapaʻa Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. | Kahau Road | Debris
- Līhuʻe Transfer Station | 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. | Ahukini Road | Debris and green waste
- Hanapēpē Transfer Station | 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. | Lele Road | Debris and green waste
- Kekaha Landfill | Residential 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; commercial 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Kaumualiʻi Highway | Debris and green waste
HOUSEHOLD RECYCLABLES: HI5 redemption in Līhuʻe has reopened at the Kauaʻi Resource Center, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.). HI5 redemption in Kapaʻa has resumed normal hours, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other HI5 redemption locations remain closed until equipment is repaired. All Kauaʻi Recycles drop sites, except the Hanalei Transfer Station, are accepting materials.
SCRAP METAL AND APPLIANCES: Scrap metal and appliances are accepted for recycling at Puhi Metals on Puhi Road, open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Kapaʻa and Hanapēpē transfer stations are also accepting scrap metal and appliances from residents.
E-WASTE: Electronic waste is accepted at Puhi Metals on Puhi Road and Kekaha Landfill.
REGULAR TRASH COLLECTION: Normal weekday islandwide refuse collection continues this week in accessible areas.
Mold warning
After flooding, the state Department of Health urges residents to address any mold growth. Mold exposure carries serious health risks, including breathing problems, allergic reactions, and infections. For guidance on cleaning mold and mud after a 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 fares 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:
- Thursday, Sept. 17 | 10 a.m. to noon | Westside Christian Center, 8041 Kekaha Road, Kekaha
- Thursday, Sept. 17 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | St. Raphael’s Church, 3011 Hapa Road, Kōloa
County closures
- The Waimea and Kapaʻa pools and the Wailua Golf Course are closed.
- Neighborhood centers are closed until further notice, except for the Hanalei and Kōloa neighborhood centers serving as hurricane recovery resource centers and the Kīlauea Neighborhood Center refuge area.
- County board and commission meetings are suspended.
- The Sept. 16 County Council meeting was canceled.
Report storm damage
As of this morning, 747 resident-submitted damage assessments have been logged. Eighteen homes have been destroyed and 101 have major damage.
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 requested 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 reopened
Most Kauaʻi public schools reopened this week, except Hanalei Elementary School, which is preparing contingency plans to operate without electricity. The school plans to reopen to employees Sept. 18 and to students Sept. 21, 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. Schools have contacted affected families.
DOE school and transportation updates are available 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 reminds residents to stay alert for scams during Hurricane Lowell recovery. Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, social media messages, or other communications offering assistance or requesting information.
For verified Hurricane Lowell recovery information, visit the County of Kauaʻi’s official channels and KauaiRecovers.org.
More information 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, 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.
For recovery help, resources, and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org.
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