Hurricane Lowell Damages Kauai, Knocks Out Power to Thousands

Hurricane Lowell brought fierce winds and heavy rain to Hawaii’s western islands Tuesday, causing widespread power outages on Kauai and damaging coastal roads. Nearly all 35,000 members of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative lost power, and about 300 people sought shelter. Sustained winds at Lihue Airport reached just above 50 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph, forcing the airport to close. Waves tore apart a coastal road and deposited sand and lava rocks into a beachside park. While the storm weakened and warnings were lifted for Kauai, Niihau, and Oahu, flooding and mudslides remain a risk. Derek Kawakami, mayor of Kauai County, said crews are using heavy equipment to clear debris. Rochelle Ballard, a former professional surfer, reported a friend’s house was destroyed, but her surf school and a neighboring restaurant were undamaged, adding that the island has weathered similar storms before. Lori Benkert, a Kauai real estate agent, experienced a power outage and noted a main road was closed due to fallen trees.

Though the center of Hurricane Lowell passed west of the islands, tropical storm-force winds extended across a wide area. The National Hurricane Center reported the storm is expected to continue weakening. Along the Southern California coast, dangerous surf conditions from the remnants of Hurricane Marie are expected to persist for several days.

Background

• Hawaii experienced heavy rain and flooding from Hurricane Lala in late August 2026, though the eye of the storm did not make direct landfall [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-16].
• As of September 4, 2026, three tropical cyclones, Lowell, Karina, and Marie, were active in the Northeast Pacific, exceeding the typical number of storms for that time of year [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-04].
• Hawaii’s first congressional district is currently represented by Ed Case, a centrist Democrat who won the Democratic primary against a progressive challenger on August 9, 2026 [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-09].
• The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell approached on September 6, 2026 [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-06].

Our reading

Our reading is that Kauai County is experiencing the immediate aftermath of a significant weather event, with widespread infrastructure damage and disruption to daily life. While the hurricane itself weakened before directly impacting the island, the storm’s force was sufficient to cause substantial problems, and the risk of secondary hazards like flooding and mudslides remains. The report suggests the island is accustomed to such storms, but that does not diminish the current impact.

What to watch

• The extent of flooding and mudslide damage on Kauai in the coming days, as reported by Kauai County officials [Kauai County website].
• The National Hurricane Center’s updates on the weakening of Hurricane Lowell and the continued surf conditions along the Southern California coast [National Hurricane Center website].
• The number of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative customers who have their power restored in the next 72 hours [Kauai Island Utility Cooperative website].

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