Sept. 20, 4 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery
LĪHUʻE – Hurricane Lowell recovery continues across Kauaʻi. Here are the latest updates.
KEMA non-emergency line restored
The Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency's non-emergency line, (808) 241-1800, has been restored and is now operational. Use 911 only for emergencies.
Police non-emergency line restored
The Kauaʻi Police Department's non-emergency dispatch line, (808) 241-1711, is back in service. Use 911 only for emergencies.
North Shore refuse collection resumes
Solid Waste crews will collect refuse in Hāʻena and Wainiha on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Powerhouse Road remains inaccessible, but crews will service carts brought down to Kūhiō Highway. Regular North Shore refuse collection will take place Thursday, Sept. 24.
Emergency food distributions this week
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: Waipā Foundation, Hanalei, noon to 2 p.m. (walk-up; bring reusable bags); ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea, 4045 Kīlauea Road, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: St. Raphael Church, Kōloa, 3 to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 24: Westside Christian Center, Kekaha, 8 a.m. to noon; Lima Ola, ʻEleʻele, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.; Aloha Church, Līhuʻe, 3 to 6 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 25: Hale Līhuʻe, 4286 Rice St., 2 to 5 p.m.
Hurricane resource centers
Starting Monday, the Hanalei and Kōloa hurricane resource centers will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. State staff from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will be on site next week at the County's hurricane resource centers to provide in-person support with unemployment insurance applications. They will be in Hanalei Sept. 21-22 and in Kōloa Sept. 23-24. The County encourages residents to meet with DLIR staff in person if they have experienced challenges applying online. The Hanalei Initiative runs an hourly shuttle, starting at 9 a.m., from The Hanalei Colony Resort to the Hanalei Hurricane Resource Center.
Līhuʻe Civic Center and property tax deadline
In-person services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain closed while computer systems are restored after the Sept. 9 Kāpule Building fire. County offices outside the Civic Center remain open. The Real Property Division is the exception on campus, offering in-person help at the Purchasing Office, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, ahead of the Sept. 30 exemption filing deadline.
Property owners who applied but did not receive an emailed confirmation should resubmit, as paperwork was destroyed in the fire. Submit by email to rpassessment@kauai.gov (preferred), by mail, or at one of two drop boxes: the Moʻikeha Building, ground floor, Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Piʻikoi Building fronting Rice Street. Storm-damaged property owners have until June 30, 2027, to file for disaster tax relief at kauai.gov/lowellrealproperty.
DMV counter services remain unavailable. Vehicle registration renewal options are posted at www.kauairecovers.org.
Power
KIUC reported 97% of members restored as of this afternoon. Crews continue work on the North Shore between Moloaʻa and Hanalei and on scattered outages between Kapaʻa and Kekaha. Clearing continues in Wainiha, Hāʻena and Kōkeʻe so crews can safely reach damaged equipment.
Do not approach utility crews or enter work areas. Members needing a payment plan or financial help can visit kiuc.coop/payment-assistance. For questions, call (808) 246-4300. Outage map: kiuc.outagemap.coop
Some state lands reopen Monday
DLNR will reopen parts of Wailua River State Park, the Waimea Valley section of Puʻu Ka Pele Forest Reserve, and Hunting Unit F on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6:30 a.m., with restrictions. Uluwehi Falls, Nā Ala Hele trails and Kōkeʻe Road remain closed, and most DLNR lands stay closed. Details at dlnr.hawaii.gov.
Roads
State crews continue debris removal along Kaumualiʻi and Kūhiō highways. Kūhiō Highway from Princeville to Kēʻē is open to local traffic only. The weight restriction on Wainiha River Bridge No. 3 has been lifted to 15 tons. Travel only if necessary, since extra traffic slows debris removal, power restoration and road repairs.
Other updates
- The Kīlauea Refuge Area remains open at Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St. This refuge area will close on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. All remaining refuge area residents have been offered the opportunity to connect with housing case management and other wraparound services and support.
- Hanalei Elementary School reopens to students Monday, the last Kauaʻi school to return.
- Households that lost food to power outages may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits. Details at humanservices.hawaii.gov.
- An islandwide brown water advisory remains in effect. Stay out of floodwaters and ocean water near stream mouths, drains and harbors.
- Water Conservation Notices remain for the ʻAnini, Hāʻena-Wainiha and Kīlauea systems. Report outages or leaks at (808) 245-5444.
- Seven debris and refuse sites are open islandwide, with tipping fees waived for storm debris. Hours and accepted materials are at www.kauairecovers.org/debris.
- Kauaʻi Bus fares are waived through Sept. 30; the 900 and 950 express routes are not running.
- Several County beach parks, the Waimea and Kapaʻa pools, Wailua Golf Course and most neighborhood centers remain closed.
Report storm damage
Residents are still encouraged to report storm damage, which helps show the extent of the damage across the island and may help Kauaʻi qualify for state and federal aid. File at bit.ly/kauaidamage, report roadway and public space hazards at bit.ly/kauaihazard, and businesses can report at bit.ly/lowelldamage. Still file a claim with your insurance company.
Contact County offices
Use interim numbers until phone lines are restored: General (808) 726-0702; Secondary (808) 347-9833; DMV (808) 241-1949; Human Resources (808) 720-0424; Agency on Elderly Affairs (808) 855-8017; Prosecuting Attorney (808) 652-7668. Voicemails may not be retrievable.
To sign up for Everbridge, the County's emergency notification service, visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click "Notification Services," text "KAUAIEMA" to 888777, or call KEMA at (808) 241-1800.
For recovery help and updates, visit www.kauairecovers.org or call 211.
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