Oct. 28, Hurricane Lowell recovery, County of Kauaʻi services update
LĪHUʻE – Please see the latest updates on Hurricane Lowell recovery and County of Kauaʻi services below.
Hurricane Lowell Recovery
Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grants (NEW UPDATE)
Due to high demand, the Kauaʻi Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant Program is no longer accepting applications. Businesses and nonprofits can sign up for a waitlist at https://kauaibusinessrecovery.org in case more funding becomes available. For questions, call (808) 210-6839 or email lowell@cochawaii.org.
Emergency food distribution
The County of Kauaʻi is partnering with Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi to hold an emergency food distribution for residents affected by Hurricane Lowell. This is a mobile pantry distribution. Please bring reusable bags or totes.
Friday, Oct. 30
- Hale Līhuʻe, 4286 Rice St., Līhuʻe, 4 to 5 p.m. Turn into the parking lot from the Convention Hall, then exit toward Rice Street (right turn only).
To respect local traffic, please line up no earlier than 15 minutes before the start time.
SBA disaster loans for private nonprofits
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans of up to $2 million to eligible private nonprofit and faith-based organizations affected by Hurricane Lowell. Application deadlines are Dec. 7 for physical damage loans and July 7, 2027, for economic injury loans. Apply at https://www.sba.gov/disaster or call (866) 722-4357.
FEMA Public Assistance for private nonprofits
The Major Disaster Declaration approved Oct. 7 makes FEMA’s Public Assistance program available in Kauaʻi and Maui counties. The program reimburses government agencies and eligible private nonprofits, including houses of worship, for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairs to damaged facilities. It does not provide money directly to individuals or households.
Eligible private nonprofits include organizations that provide critical or essential social services, such as hospitals and medical facilities; utilities, including water, sewer, and electrical systems; senior citizen and community centers; private schools and colleges; custodial and day care facilities; residential services for people with disabilities; assisted living facilities and low-income housing; homeless shelters and rehabilitation services; and performing arts and community arts centers.
The deadline to submit a Request for Public Assistance is Nov. 6. Organizations that sustained damage are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The initial request form takes only a few minutes and does not commit an organization to any further steps.
For help with an application, email the State of Hawaiʻi at dod.hiema.publicassistance@hawaii.gov. An overview of the program is at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/apply.
Visitor information on Kauaʻi Recovers
Visitors planning a trip to Kauaʻi or currently on island can find visitor information resources at https://www.kauairecovers.org/visitor.
Utilities
KIUC has restored power to most of the island. Crews are still working to restore power to some members in Kōkeʻe and a few isolated outages. Do not approach utility crews or enter work areas.
Members needing a payment plan or financial help can visit https://kiuc.coop/payment-assistance or call (808) 246-4300. Collections for delinquent accounts remain suspended at this time. Outage map: https://kiuc.outagemap.coop.
The Department of Water continues its Water Conservation Notice for customers in ʻAnini. 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 https://www.kauairecovers.org/debris.
North Shore refuse collection is on Thursdays. Tuesday service is no longer available.
County of Kauaʻi Services
County of Kauaʻi Online Services
County services have been restored, including the online portal at connect.kauai.gov. Working phone numbers for County offices are at https://www.kauairecovers.org/contact-us.
As of Monday, Oct. 26, the County is covering the $2.50 convenience fee for online motor vehicle registration renewals and sewer payments. The change helps residents continue using these services online following the Sept. 9 Kapule Building fire.
Storm repairs and permits
- Most homes and buildings: If your home or building was built with a County building permit and is not in a flood zone, you do not need a new permit to make necessary repairs for Hurricane Lowell damage. There is no fee and no County inspection is required, but work must still meet building codes. This includes building, electrical, plumbing, driveway, and sign repairs.
- Properties in a flood zone: Contact the Department of Public Works Engineering Division at (808) 241-4883 or pwengineering@kauai.gov before starting work. Include an elevation certificate if you have one. Structures with repair costs equal to 50 percent or more of their value need a building permit and must be rebuilt to current flood standards. Stockpiling debris in a regulatory floodway is prohibited.
- Properties near the shoreline: Repairs require a Special Management Area (SMA) assessment determination before work begins. The same 50 percent standard applies. Contact the Planning Department at planningdepartment@kauai.gov.
- For questions, call the Building Division at (808) 241-4854 or email building@kauai.gov.
Real Property Division
- Owners of storm-damaged property have until June 30, 2027, to file for disaster tax relief at https://www.kauai.gov/Residents/Report-Hurricane-Lowell-Property-Damage.
- For assessment questions, contact (808) 652-7490 or rpassessment@kauai.gov. For billing and collections questions, contact (808) 241-4272 or rpc@kauai.gov.
Division of Motor Vehicles (NEW UPDATE)
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Kapaʻa DMV reopens Nov. 4: The Kapaʻa DMV will reopen Wednesday, Nov. 4, by appointment only. Booking opens Monday, Nov. 2, at www.kauai.gov/DMV. Space is limited, and early appointments are expected to go to people whose driver’s licenses, state IDs, or other credentials expired during the closure. More appointments will be announced as they become available.
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Services by appointment: Vehicle registration and title transactions, dealer and bank transactions, taxi permits, driver’s license and state ID production, permit and road testing, disability parking placards, and commercial driver’s license renewals.
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Not available: Walk-in service, kūpuna hour, utility payments, and sales of tipping coupons or Kauaʻi Bus passes.
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Payment: Credit cards are accepted, but card stations are limited. Customers are encouraged to bring cash or a check.
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Līhuʻe: The County is preparing the Gather space in Līhuʻe as a temporary DMV location. An opening date has not been set.
- Vehicle registration renewals are available online at https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai/lookup and at self-service kiosks at Western Motors in Hanapēpē, Līhuʻe Safeway, Kapaʻa Safeway, and Princeville Foodland.
- Kauaʻi County residents can request an exact duplicate of a valid Hawaiʻi driver’s license through the City and County of Honolulu’s online portal at https://mydmv.hnl.info/hnldl/duplicates. Name, address, and other changes cannot be made online.
- For questions or help booking an appointment, call the DMV at (808) 241-1949 or email kauaidmv@kauai.gov.
Kauaʻi Bus
The 900 and 950 Kauaʻi Bus express routes are not running.
Kekaha Neighborhood Center reservations
The Department of Parks & Recreation is now accepting online applications for new reservations at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. For more information, visit www.kauai.gov/parks.
County of Kauaʻi facilities
- The Waimea Neighborhood Center main hall is closed due to damage. Side rooms are open.
- Kōloa and Hanalei neighborhood centers reopened Monday, Oct. 26.
- Waimea pools remain closed. The Wailua Golf Course driving range is closed until further notice.
- County park closures: Salt Pond (park and pavilions) and Hanapēpē Stadium (football field, pavilion, restrooms, and tennis courts).
- The Poʻipū Beach Park parking lot is closed through Nov. 6 for maintenance and Hurricane Lowell-related work.
- Kauaʻi Recycles drop bins have been permanently removed from the Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station. The bins are now at the Kīlauea Community Agricultural Center (ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea), 4045 Kīlauea Road, Kīlauea. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The site is closed Sundays and County holidays.
- The mobile recycling unit will continue to accept recyclables at Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
County of Kauaʻi alerts
To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, visit https://www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services,” text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call KEMA at (808) 241-1800.
Updates on County of Kauaʻi services and hurricane recovery information are available at https://www.kauairecovers.org.
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