Hurricane Lowell Update for Kauai Visitors

Last updated: Wednesday, September 9, 2026. We will keep this page current as roads and parks reopen.

Hurricane Lowell passed just west of Kauai on Monday night, September 7, as a Category 2 storm. The hurricane warning for Kauai County has been lifted, but the island took a hard hit: flooding on the North Shore, downed trees and power lines across the island, and a large power outage that crews are still working through. Heavy rain may linger through Wednesday. Here is what you need to know before you drive.

Getting Here

• Open Lihue Airport (LIH) reopened at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, and is running on generator power. Expect delays and allow extra time for check-in and security. Alaska and Southwest offered fee-free changes for storm-affected flights; check with your airline for current waivers.
• Open Nawiliwili Harbor was reopened by the Coast Guard Tuesday afternoon. Cruise and shipping schedules remain subject to change.
• Suspended Kauai Bus service is suspended until further notice, so a rental vehicle is the only practical way to get around.

Road Closures on Kauai

The county is asking everyone to stay off the roads except for essential travel so crews can clear debris and restore power. Conditions change hourly. Before heading out, call the Kauai road conditions hotline at 808-241-1725 or check the HDOT road closures page.

North Shore (Kuhio Highway, Route 56)

• Closed Kuhio Highway at the Hanalei Bridge, north to the Hanalei Dolphin restaurant. Flooding and high stream levels. Hanalei, Wainiha and Haena are not reachable by road from the rest of the island.
• Closed Kuhio Highway from Waikoko to Lumahai Beach.
• Closed Kuhio Highway in Kilauea. Traffic is being diverted onto Kolo Road.
• One lane Kuhio Highway from Kahiliholo Road to the Kalihiwai Bridge, alternating traffic.

South Shore and West Side (Kaumualii Highway, Route 50)

• One lane Kaumualii Highway west of the Kauai Humane Society (between Puhi and Knudsen Gap), alternating traffic.
• Detour Kaumualii Highway near Moi and Puolo Roads in Hanapepe. Traffic diverted to Hanapepe Road.
• Restricted Kaumualii Highway in Kekaha between Kala and Akialoa Roads had closures Tuesday. Call the hotline before driving west of Waimea.
• Closed Hoone Road in Poipu is impassable due to debris. Expect standing water on other Poipu side streets.
• Open Maluhia Road (Tree Tunnel) to Koloa and Poipu is open in both directions.

Parks, Beaches and Attractions

We will list parks here as they reopen. For now, the safest sightseeing is by car on open roads on the East Side and South Shore, and even there you should expect debris, standing water, dark traffic signals and crews working on the shoulders.

Power, Water and Cell Service

• Roughly 90 percent of the island lost power Tuesday. Restoration is underway with critical facilities and dense neighborhoods first, and it will take days for outlying areas. Check the KIUC outage map.
• Many gas stations, stores and restaurants are closed or cash-only where power is out. Fill your tank when you can and carry some cash.
• An islandwide water conservation notice is in effect.
• Cell coverage is spotty in some areas. Download offline maps before you leave the airport.

Driving Tips After the Storm

• Treat every dark traffic signal as a four-way stop.
• Never drive through standing or moving water. Kauai’s streams rise fast and the road underneath may be washed out.
• Stay at least 20 feet from downed lines and assume every line is live.
• Give utility, county and tree crews plenty of room and follow flaggers.
• Watch for rockfall and mud on the shoulder along Kuhio Highway and on the road up to Waimea Canyon once it reopens.
• Fill up in Lihue or Kapaa before heading out. Stations on the West Side and North Shore may be closed.

Your Reservation

Every reservation includes free changes and cancellations, and that has not changed. If Lowell altered your travel plans, you can rebook at the current rate or cancel with no penalty. Airport pickups are running on their normal schedule.

Useful Contacts

Closure information on this page is compiled from Kauai County, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hawaii Emergency Management, and local news reports. Conditions are changing quickly and official sources always take precedence over this page.