Nov. 4, 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
Emergency food distribution (NEW)
The County of Kauaʻi is partnering with Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi to hold an emergency food distribution this week for residents affected by Hurricane Lowell. This is a mobile pantry distribution. Please bring reusable bags or totes.
Friday, Nov. 6
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.
Relief grants for farmers and ranchers (NEW)
Farmers and ranchers whose agricultural lands were affected by Hurricane Lowell and the other recent storms can apply for up to $1,500 through the state's Emergency Farmer Relief grant program. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 29, 2027.
- Farms, orchards, ranches, and similar operations statewide are eligible. Each applicant can receive one $1,500 check per year.
- Applicants will need to submit tax documents, such as a W-9, Schedule C, or Schedule F, as proof of farming or ranching work.
- Funding is limited. If more eligible applications come in than funds allow, they will be processed first-come, first-served.
- Checks are expected to be available for pickup at locations statewide starting early to mid-January. Applicants will be told when and where to collect them.
- The application portal is at https://dab.hawaii.gov.
- Questions: dab.info@hawaii.gov or (808) 973-9560.
Hurricane Lowell CASPER survey (NEW)
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health's Kauaʻi District Health Office and the County of Kauaʻi will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey Nov. 16 to 20 to learn about Hurricane Lowell impacts and ongoing recovery needs. The results will help guide local recovery work by county, state, and federal partners and community organizations.
- Survey teams will go door to door in 30 randomly selected areas around the island. Seven homes in each area will be selected.
- Teams include Department of Health staff, supported by the Kauaʻi Medical Reserve Corps and KEMA. Team members will wear vests identifying them as part of the DOH survey team and will carry ID cards.
- The survey takes less than 10 minutes and is voluntary. Responses are confidential, and no names or addresses are collected. Households can choose to complete it by phone instead.
- Questions cover emergency supplies right after the storm, physical and economic impacts, health and well-being, and recovery needs.
- Results will be shared in a public report. Past Kauaʻi CASPER survey reports are at https://health.hawaii.gov/kauai/Casper.
Business Recovery Grants
Due to high demand, the Kauaʻi Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant Program is no longer accepting applications. Businesses and nonprofits can join the waitlist at https://kauaibusinessrecovery.org in case more funding becomes available.
Help for nonprofits
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FEMA Public Assistance: Private nonprofits that provide critical or essential services, including houses of worship, community centers, schools, and care facilities, may be reimbursed for storm cleanup and repairs. The deadline to submit a Request for Public Assistance is this Friday, Nov. 6. The form takes a few minutes and does not commit an organization to anything. For help, email dod.hiema.publicassistance@hawaii.gov or visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/apply.
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SBA disaster loans: Low-interest loans of up to $2 million are available to private nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Deadlines are Dec. 7 for physical damage and July 7, 2027, for economic injury. Apply at https://www.sba.gov/disaster or call (866) 722-4357.
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 and recycling
- Seven debris and refuse sites are open islandwide, and tipping fees are waived for storm debris. Hours and accepted materials are at https://www.kauairecovers.org/debris.
- North Shore refuse collection is on Thursdays only.
- Kauaʻi Recycles bins have permanently moved from the Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station to the Kīlauea Community Agricultural Center (ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea), 4045 Kīlauea Road. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays and County holidays. The mobile recycling unit still visits Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea on Tuesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Storm repairs and property tax relief
- If your home or building was built with a County permit and is not in a flood zone, you do not need a new permit to repair Hurricane Lowell damage. Work must still meet building codes.
- Properties in a flood zone or near the shoreline need County review before work begins. Flood zone: call Public Works at (808) 241-4883. Shoreline: email planningdepartment@kauai.gov. Other questions: call the Building Division at (808) 241-4854.
- 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.
County of Kauaʻi Services
Division of Motor Vehicles
- The Kapaʻa DMV reopened today, Wednesday, Nov. 4, by appointment only. Book at www.kauai.gov/DMV. Space is limited, and early appointments are expected to go to people whose licenses, state IDs, or other credentials expired during the closure.
- Walk-ins and kūpuna hour are not available. Bring cash or a check if you can, since card stations are limited.
- Renew vehicle registration online at https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai/lookup or at kiosks at Western Motors in Hanapēpē, Līhuʻe Safeway, Kapaʻa Safeway, and Princeville Foodland. Request a duplicate driver's license at https://mydmv.hnl.info/hnldl/duplicates.
- A temporary DMV location is being prepared at the Gather space in Līhuʻe. An opening date has not been set.
- Questions: (808) 241-1949 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov.
Online payments
The County is covering the $2.50 convenience fee for online vehicle registration renewals and sewer payments.
Parks, facilities, and transit
- Closed: Waimea Neighborhood Center main hall (side rooms open), Waimea pools, Wailua Golf Course driving range, Salt Pond Beach Park and pavilions, and Hanapēpē Stadium.
- The Poʻipū Beach Park parking lot is closed through Nov. 6 for maintenance and storm repairs.
- Morgans Pond at Lydgate Beach Park is closed until further notice due to the presence of logs and fine wood particles in and surrounding the area.
- The Kekaha Neighborhood Center is accepting new reservations online. Visit www.kauai.gov/parks.
- The Kauaʻi Bus 900 and 950 express routes are not running.
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, working County phone numbers, and visitor information are at https://www.kauairecovers.org.
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