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Revision: A previous version of this press release included incorrect food distribution times. The food distribution times have been updated to reflect the correct schedule.
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Sept. 21, 4 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery
LĪHUʻE – Hurricane Lowell recovery continues across Kauaʻi. Here are the latest updates.
Phone lines restored
General phone lines for the following County departments are now back in service:
- The Agency on Elderly Affairs: (808) 241-4470
- The Department of Human Resources: (808) 241-4956
- The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney: (808) 241-1888
Weather outlook
Officials are monitoring a developing weather system that is the remnants of former Tropical Depression Fifteen-E. The system could bring increased winds beginning Wednesday night, with potential for stronger winds at higher elevations going into the weekend. The system’s track and strength remain uncertain, and potential impacts for Kauaʻi have not been determined. Residents should continue to monitor official weather updates as the system develops.
Kaua‘i Sunshine Markets
Several farmers markets are reopening this week:
- Monday: Kukui Grove Pau Hana Market, 3 - 5:30 p.m., Līhuʻe.
- Tuesday: Coconut Marketplace, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Kapaʻa.
- Wednesday: Kapaʻa Sunshine Market, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Kapaʻa; Kauaʻi Culinary Market, 3:30 - 6 p.m., Poʻipū.
- Thursday: Coconut Marketplace, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Kapaʻa; Hale Puna, 3 - 5 p.m., Waimea.
- Saturday: Grove Farm Market, starting at 9:30 a.m. until supplies last, Līhuʻe.
For more information about Sunshine Markets, call the Office of Economic Development at (808) 241-4946.
Neighborhood Centers
Now open:
- Kekaha Neighborhood Center (patio only for previously scheduled parties)
- Waimea Neighborhood Center (side rooms only; main hall closed due to damage)
- Waimea Smokey Valley Clubhouse
- Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center and Multipurpose Center
- Kalaheo Neighborhood Center
- Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center (old and new)
- Anahola Clubhouse
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.
Hurricane resource centers
Starting Monday, the Hanalei and Kōloa hurricane resource centers will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Unemployment insurance: State staff from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) will provide in-person support with unemployment insurance applications. DLIR staff will be in Hanalei Sept. 21-22 and Kōloa Sept. 23-24. The County encourages residents who have experienced challenges applying online to meet with DLIR staff in person.
SNAP benefits: DHS staff will be on site at both the Kōloa and Hanalei hurricane resource centers on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Thursday, Sept. 24, to provide in-person support with SNAP benefits.
The Hanalei Initiative runs an hourly shuttle, starting at 9 a.m., from The Hanalei Colony Resort to the Hanalei Hurricane Resource Center.
Emergency food distributions this week
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Tuesday, Sept. 22: Waipā Foundation, Hanalei, noon to 2 p.m. (walk-up; bring reusable bags); ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea, 4045 Kīlauea Road, 3 to 5 p.m.
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Wednesday, Sept. 23: St. Raphael Church, Kōloa, 4 to 6 p.m.
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Thursday, Sept. 24: Westside Christian Center, Kekaha, 10 a.m. to noon; Lima Ola, ʻEleʻele, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.; Aloha Church, Līhuʻe, 4 to 6 p.m.
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Friday, Sept. 25: Hale Līhuʻe, 4286 Rice St., 3 to 5 p.m.
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 98% of members restored as of Monday 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
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.
Some state lands reopen
DLNR reopened parts of Wailua River State Park, the Waimea Valley section of Puʻu Ka Pele Forest Reserve, and Hunting Unit F this morning 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.
Other updates
- The Sept. 8 Planning Commission meeting has been rescheduled to Oct. 13. Agenda items originally scheduled for the Oct. 13 meeting will also be considered at this meeting. For more information, please contact the Planning Department at 808-241-4050 or visit kauai.gov/Planning-Commission.
- 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.
- Households that lost food to power outages may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits. Details at hawaii.gov.
- The island wide Brown Water Advisory for Kaua‘i has been cancelled; however, a Brown Water Advisory has been issued for various areas around the island. Stay out of floodwater and ocean water near stream mouths and drains. For more information visit the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch System at eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb.
- 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 kauairecovers.org/debris.
- Kauaʻi Bus fares are waived through Sept. 30; the 900 and 950 express routes are not running.
- Several County beach parks, both the Waimea and Kapaʻa pools, and Wailua Golf Course 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. 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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