Sept. 23, 3:40 p.m., County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Recovery and
Kapule Building Fire Update
LĪHUʻE – Hurricane Lowell recovery continues across Kauaʻi. Tropical Depression Fifteen-E has developed into Tropical Storm Nolo. Here are the latest updates.
Hurricane Lowell Recovery
Weather outlook
Weather officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Nolo. As this system approaches the state, it is expected to develop into a hurricane. Hawai’i County is currently under a Hurricane Watch. Strong winds, heavy rain, large and dangerous waves, storm surge and flooding is expected. Officials predict Southeast Big Island and Maui will see the largest impacts.
Emergency Preparedness
The Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) encourages every household, business, and visitor to take time now to build or refresh an emergency kit, review your family plan, and know your evacuation route. Preparation is the single most important step in keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors safe.
Disaster kits should include at least a 14-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, an extra supply of prescription medicines, important documents in a waterproof container, cash in small bills, and other items specific to individual and family needs, including those of keiki, kūpuna, pets, and individuals with access and functional needs.
Tropical Storm Nolo updates are available at hurricanes.gov.
North Shore refuse collection resumes
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
The Hanalei and Kōloa hurricane resource centers are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hanalei Neighborhood Center, 5-5358 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei
- Kōloa Neighborhood Center, 3461B Weliweli Road, Koloa
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 at the Kōloa hurricane resource center on Sept. 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 Thursday, Sept. 24, to provide in-person support with SNAP benefits. Households that lost food to power outages may be eligible for replacement SNAP benefits. Details at humanservices.hawaii.gov.
The Hanalei Initiative runs an hourly shuttle, starting at 9 a.m. from The Hanalei Colony Resort to the Hanalei Hurricane Resource Center.
Real Property
The deadline to file real property tax exemption applications is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. No extensions will be granted. Real Property staff will accept applications at the Hanalei and Kōloa hurricane resource centers daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 23 through 30.
Emergency food distributions this week
In partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi, the following emergency food distributions are scheduled for this week:
- Thursday, Sept. 24: Westside Christian Center, Kekaha, 10 a.m. to noon; Lima Ola, ʻEleʻele, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 25: Hale Līhuʻe, 4286 Rice St., 3 to 5 p.m.
Utilities
KIUC reported 98% of members restored as of Wednesday afternoon. Crews are focused on the areas of Wainiha and Hā‘ena. Pocket outages are also being addressed from Hanalei to Kekaha.
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
The Department of Water continues its Water Conservation Notices to customers in ʻAnini, Hāʻena-Wainiha and Kīlauea water systems. Report outages or leaks at (808) 245-5444.
Refuse
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.
Roads
State crews continue debris removal along Kaumualiʻi and Kūhiō highways. For the safety of workers, motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution. Ha’ena and Wainiha are 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.
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.
County of Kauaʻi Services
Contacts for County of Kauaʻi offices: Phone lines restored
General phone lines for the following County departments are being restored. For the quickest response, callers are advised to speak to a live person versus leaving a voicemail. The following numbers are now back in service:
- Agency on Elderly Affairs: (808) 241-4470 | elderlyaffairs@kauai.gov
- Department of Human Resources (808) 241-4956 | humanresources@kauai.gov
- Department of Liquor Control (808) 241-4966 | liquor@kauai.gov
- Department of Parks and Recreation (808) 241-4460 | parks@kauai.gov
- Department of Public Works
- Administration/Fiscal (808) 241-4198 | publicworks@kauai.gov
- Building Division (808) 241-4854 | building@kauai.gov
- Engineering Division (808) 241-4883 | pwengineering@kauai.gov
- Roads Division (808) 241-4847 | pwroads@kauai.gov
- Solid Waste Division (808) 241-4841 | solidwaste@kauai.gov
- Solid Waste Division - Refuse Collection (808) 241-4091 | solidwaste@kauai.gov
Kaua‘i Farmers Markets
Several farmers markets are reopening this week:
- Monday: Kukui Grove Pau Hana Market, 3 to 5:30 p.m., at 3-2600 Kaumualiʻi Hwy. in Līhuʻe.
- Tuesday: Coconut Marketplace, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 4-484 Kūhiō Hwy. in Kapaʻa.
- Wednesday: Kapaʻa Sunshine Market at Kapaʻa Beach Park, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at 4-1604 Kūhiō Hwy. in Kapaʻa; and Kauaʻi Culinary Market, 3:30 to 6 p.m., at 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St. in Poʻipū.
- Thursday: Coconut Marketplace, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 4-484 Kūhiō Hwy. in Kapaʻa; and Hale Puna, 3 to 5 p.m., at 9600 Kaumualiʻi Hwy. in Waimea.
- Saturday: Grove Farm Market at Puhi, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until supplies last, at 4411 Kikowaena St. in Līhuʻe.
For more information about Farmers Markets and Sunshine Markets, call the Office of Economic Development at (808) 241-4946.
County of Kauaʻi Facilities
- Neighborhood Centers that are open: 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, Kekaha Neighborhood Center (patio only for previously scheduled parties).
- Kauaʻi Bus fares are waived through Sept. 30; the 900 and 950 express routes are not running.
- Waimea and Kapaʻa pools, and Wailua Golf Course remain closed.
- County beach parks are closed at Haʻena, Black Pot, Hanamāʻulu, Poʻipū, and Salt Pond.
- Hanapepe Stadium football field is closed.
Real Property Division and Division of Motor Vehicles
- In-person services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain closed while computer systems are being restored following the Sept. 9 Kāpule Building fire.
- County offices outside the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain open.
- The Real Property Division is the exception on campus, offering in-person help at the former Purchasing Office at the Līhuʻe Civic Center, 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 service is available at the satellite DMV in Kapaʻa and the trailer located in the parking lot of the Līhuʻe Civic Center (for inquiries only). At this time, expired driverʻs licenses which are unable to be renewed due to the DMV closure will not be penalized. Vehicle registration renewal services are available online at https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai/lookup and at community kiosks in Hanapēpē, Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa and Princeville.
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 www.kauai.gov/Planning-Commission.
County of Kauaʻi Alerts
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.
Updates to County of Kauaʻi services and hurricane recovery information may be found by visiting www.kauairecovers.org or calling 211.
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