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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

But hold on, is it bad luck to even joke about this? Oh no, now we've repeated the joke! Ahhh!

Pali Tunnel i Stock 182908571 16x9

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Pork over the Pali</title>

Today's social media find comes from kenekethegreat, tunneling his way to laughter.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Pork over the Pali

But hold on, is it bad luck to even joke about this? Oh no, now we&#039;ve repeated the joke! Ahhh!  

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

Some people believe that in the heart of Waikīkī, the lingering presence of Hawai‘i’s last royal princess has never quite faded.

Her name was Victoria Kawekiu I Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaʻiulani Cleghorn, also known affectionately as Princess Kaʻiulani.

Born on October 16, 1875, in Honolulu, Kaʻiulani was the daughter of Princess Miriam Likelike (sister to both King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani) and Scottish businessman Archibald Cleghorn. In 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani named Kaʻiulani her successor to the throne, making Kaʻiulani the last officially designated heir of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Her childhood home was a lush 10-acre estate in Waikīkī called ʻĀinahau, gifted to her by her godmother, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Located in the area of Waikīkī known as ‘Au‘aukai, the estate was where Kaʻiulani spent much of her life with close family, friends, and her beloved peacocks. Her father was a serious horticulturist who introduced plants from around the world, so the ‘Āinahau estate was always lush and green. Archibald Cleghorn is also widely credited with planting Hawaii’s first banyan at ʻĀinahau, sometime around 1870.

In 1899, after a brief illness, Princess Kaʻiulani died at the age of 23. That night, her peacocks reportedly screamed loud enough for people to hear them miles away. Many believed the birds were mourning their mistress. Her mother, Princess Likelike, had also died at ʻĀinahau years earlier. Her father, Cleghorn, passed away there in 1910.

After the royal family was gone, the estate changed hands. From 1913 to 1917, ʻĀinahau was leased and operated as a hotel. Then came the transformation of Waikīkī itself.

Along Kalākaua Avenue, just in front of the driveway to ʻĀinahau, stood Waikīkī’s first grammar school, a humble graveyard, and a small church affiliated with Kawaiahaʻo Church. Nestled among coconut trees, the small chapel served a congregation of working-class residents of the neighborhood.

Time continued to march on, and in 1916, Kawaiahaʻo Church sold the Waikīkī church and graveyard property to the Territorial Hotel Company, which planned to expand the Moana Hotel. The remains of dozens of people were exhumed and quietly reinterred at the main cemetery on Queen Street. The land was cleared to make way for progress.

Just a short time afterward, in the late 1920s, the dredging of the Ala Wai Canal drained the waterways that once nourished ʻĀinahau. Nature dried up, and so did some of the memories of old Waikīkī.

Today, the Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani Waikīkī Beach Hotel sits on what was once the long driveway to the ʻĀinahau estate. Beneath the hotel’s swimming pool area and souvenir shops lies the site of the old church and graveyard. And perhaps something else is there, too.

Guests who’ve stayed at the Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani Hotel have reported unexplainable chicken skin (goosebumps), the feeling of being watched, and glimpses of shadows in empty hallways. Others have mentioned cold spots that never warm and a heaviness in certain rooms.

Some say they’ve encountered the gentle presence of the Princess herself as an apparition wearing an old-style Victorian gown, quietly observing and sometimes even offering comfort to the weary.

For several years, the hotel workers were kind enough to let me bring my ghost tour through their lobby while I shared stories of the area with my guests. Some might remember how the lobby was once filled with paintings and photos of the late princess. One particular portrait stood out to me, and I always made a point of showing it to my guests.

A life-sized picture of Princess Ka‘iulani hung on a wall near the porte cochère. The young woman wore a black Victorian-style dress and a large black hat, but it was her lifelike appearance that caught my attention. Her eyes seemed to follow you as you moved. She seemed almost present, as though at any moment she might step out of the portrait and into the hall with us.

One day, as I stood in front of the picture contemplating what life might have been like in her day, I swear I saw her blink. Perhaps it was my fervent imagination or wishful thinking, but I went on with my day, walking through Waikīkī. Later, I ran into a gentleman who used to work as a concierge at the Ka‘iulani Hotel. I shared my story with him, and he smiled and nodded.

“I know which one you’re talking about,” he said. “You’re not the only one.”

He didn’t say anything more on the subject, and I was left to wonder how many people had the same experience I did. Was it a glitch in the lights above the painting? Were we all subject to the same hallucination?

Months later, I brought my tour group through the hotel lobby like I did every week. We stopped in front of the portrait, and I began to share the story about the young princess attending school at Great Harrowden Hall in England when a woman in my group let out a yelp.

“She blinked!” the woman shouted. “The woman in the picture just blinked!”

Although the woman was the only person who saw it, the entire group suddenly huddled closer together, training their cell phone cameras on the portrait. I don’t think anyone got a video of the portrait actually blinking, but it was certainly an interesting night.

A few months after that, the hotel began a series of renovations and redecorating, and I made sure to stay away from the area to avoid any injuries or complaints. But when the grand lobby reopened, my heart ached a bit when I realized that the portrait was gone. I asked a few employees at the front desk and concierge where it went, but no one was really sure.

I never found out what happened to the portrait. Maybe it ended up in a storage room somewhere, or in someone’s private collection. Perhaps it was given to an employee or simply discarded. Wherever it is, I like to think that the princess is still watching through the eyes of the portrait.

‘Āinahau and the tiny church and graveyard may have disappeared, and much of old Waikīkī may have been buried beneath concrete and asphalt, but if the stories are true, maybe Princess Ka‘iulani never really left.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel

<title>Through the Eyes of a Princess</title>

Princess Kaʻiulani spent much of her tragically brief life at her beloved Waikīkī estate, ʻĀinahau. Over time, the property changed hands and developed into the hotel we know today. But there are stories the Princess is with us still in spirit at the site.

Through the Eyes of a Princess

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

[{"type":"text","text":"Sharon Har is passionate about affordable housing."}]

The former state legislator, who served in the Hawai‘i House of Representatives from 2006 to 2022, has joined Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. as its housing development director.

In her new role, Har will focus on the day-to-day development of Hale Pilina, CCHDC's newest affordable housing project located in Kahului, and serve as the primary point of contact for financing, construction and consulting partners, a recent announcement noted.

Hale Pilina is CCHDC's first development designed for families, the announcement says. The 178-unit community, which will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments across four buildings, will serve families earning up to 60% of the area median income. And for the first two years, priority will be given to those affected by the 

Har says she started her career as an attorney — her background was in land use, real estate and construction, "and I think that was my first foray into any type of development."

[{"type":"text","text":"She represented developers, general contractors and architects."}]

"I've always just wanted to help people," she recently told Aloha State Daily. "That's why I became a lawyer; I thought I was going to help people, and then I had an opportunity to run for office back in 2005 and I thought I would be helping people on a greater scale, so I ran for office."

[{"type":"text","text":"While in the state Legislature, Har represented Kapolei and Makakilo."}]

"There I really focused on doing the same thing," she says. "It was about affordable housing. It was about public policy and getting sound public policy so that we could really help build affordable housing, making it a little bit easier."

She joined The Michaels Organization in 2019, where, the announcement notes, she most recently served as vice president of development and operations for the organization in Hawai‘i, leading the execution of affordable housing developments and overseeing statewide development activities. Har says that's when she "really started working nuts and bolts as a real estate developer, as an affordable housing developer, and it's been such a passion of mine."

"It is so hard. It is so hard and it is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life, but it is so rewarding," Har says. "Anyone who understands the real estate development process, especially affordable housing — I mean, it can take anywhere between five to seven years to get a building online — you really have to be passionate about it. But at the end of the day, it's worth it because it's about putting our local residents in and giving them access to affordable housing here in Hawai‘i."

[{"type":"text","text":"Her past experiences have prepared her for her new role."}]

"I tell everybody, as a former attorney, you can go to law school but law school doesn't prepare you to be a lawyer,” Har told ASD. And the same goes for real estate development; Har says that you don’t really understand the complexities of development “until you've actually done it. I think serving as a vice president for The Michaels Organization here in Hawai‘i really prepared me for that role."

Most recently, Har said she was project manager for the developer’s 

"It was just such a learning experience and I think that really kind of put me into that echelon of being able to speak to the issues and why affordable housing is so difficult to deliver, and dealing with all the obstacles that you deal with in trying to build affordable housing and trying to bring it online so that our community has greater access to it."

Har says her background in real estate and affordable housing development also aligns with CCHDC's mission to provide affordable housing to local residents.

There was a "synergy there and that's why it was so exciting to come work here," she says. “ ... I've only been [here] for a few weeks, but I consider it a great honor because I feel that [CCHDC's] mission, it comports with my passion, just trying to continue on that momentum statewide of building affordable housing."

Stepping into this new role, Har says her first priority will be ensuring that Hale Pilina, which is slated for delivery next year, is “delivered on time and on budget, so that we can, again, begin leasing up as soon as possible so that our residents on Maui can have access to affordable housing. In the meantime, I also plan on doing our best to build pipeline.”

“Bringing Sharon onto our team strengthens everything we’re building at CCHDC,” Executive Director 

 said in the announcement. “Her experience and deep commitment to Hawai

s possible, not just at Hale Pilina, but throughout the Islands.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has been around since 1947, but CCHDC was incorporated in 1999 as a nonprofit affiliate. It owns, develops and manages real estate properties across the Islands for seniors, families and those in need.

In addition to Hale Pilina, CCHDC manages six other affordable housing developments on O‘ahu and Maui.

Sharon Har Headshot Courtesy of Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation 16x9 Copy

<title>Former legislator joins Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp.</title>

In her new role as housing development director, Sharon Har will focus on the day-to-day development of CCHDC's newest affordable housing project, Hale Pilina, and serve as the main point of contact for financing, construction and consulting partners.

Former legislator joins Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp.

Yamachika Tom IMG 1913 Large

Tom Yamachika

Government & Politics

Viewpoints

This week’s article comes from a tip from one of our very alert constituents.

It concerns one of the special funds set up in the City Charter of Honolulu that is fed automatically by an earmark on property tax revenues. 

. Today’s topic of discussion is the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund.

Our alert constituent pointed out that although the annual earmark from property tax gives the fund $8 to $9 million a year, the money in this fund has been piling up. According to the City’s 

, this fund had, at the end of fiscal year 2025, an “Unreserved Fund Balance,” meaning cash that is neither spent nor encumbered, of $65 million.

The City Charter provision establishing the fund says that it can be used for preservation of beaches and coastal areas, as well as public outdoor recreation.

Now, let’s take a look at Ala Moana Regional Park. The 

 “one of the state’s oldest and busiest parks, currently seeing an estimated four million users every year.”

Due to erosion, the park beach requires sand replenishment periodically. An effort to plan and gain approvals for the project was begun sometime around 2019, which is the date the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a 

 asking for the public’s comments on an application for the project that the City had submitted to the Corps.

 being considered by the State Board of Land and Natural Resources for its approval of the work. The extension request reads:  “Due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 on budgets and schedules, the Applicant was unable to comply with [a permit condition requiring work or construction to start within one year after approval] and a time extension was granted by [the Department of Land and Natural Resources] on February 24, 2022. The City continues to seek funding for the project. We respectfully request that [the existing permit] be again extended to allow adequate time for the Applicant to secure project funding and proceed with construction.”

So, on the one hand, we see that the City initiated an Ala Moana beach replenishment project in 2019 or earlier.  It had to and did get permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.  They say they can’t execute the project because there’s no money to do so.

And, on the other hand, there is a special fund with tens of millions of dollars in it, and the scope of the fund includes preservation of beaches and coastal areas, including public recreation.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Is this making sense to you?"}]

Furthermore, Ala Moana Regional Park surely isn’t the only beach out there that needs some TLC.

How about Waikīkī Beach?  As recently as 2025 and 2026, 

 planning, environmental review, and stabilization projects, indicating that substantial corrective work remains outstanding.

Why aren’t we using the tens of millions of dollars now in the special fund to at least make a dent in these problems?

Wake up, folks!  The Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund isn’t there simply to save up money for a rainy day.  It’s there to provide money for specific needs.  We have those needs and the projects, so let’s take care of them!

Ala Moana Regional Park

<title>Community Voices: Save Ala Moana!</title>

The City & County of Honolulu received permits for beach replenishment at Ala Moana Regional Park back in 2019 but never moved forward for lack of funding. And yet, the county has $65 million accumulated in its Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund. Why isn't this money being used to replenish this beach, or Waikīkī Beach?

Community Voices: Save Ala Moana!

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The trial of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and her alleged associates in a criminal conspiracy won’t be happening anytime soon.

, the corruption trial of Luke and four others — lobbyist Tobi Solidum, former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, state Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami and former Public Utilities Commission chair Leodoloff Asuncion Jr. — was scheduled to begin on Sept. 28, after four of the five defendants, excluding Solidum, pled not guilty.

But on Friday, that trial was pushed back a year, after attorneys for multiple defendants requested additional time to prepare.

Back on Aug. 6, Yamane’s attorney William Harrison filed a motion to continue the trial on a later date, as the discovery phase — in which both sides prepare witnesses and evidence to be presented at trial — had not yet begun and the breadth of the case made it exceedingly unlikely that the process could be completed on schedule.

Other attorneys, including Fuchigami’s lawyer Eric Seitz and Luke’s lawyer Richard Sing, co-signed Harrison’s motion.

At a hearing Friday, attorneys proposed that the trial be delayed by a year or more, suggesting varying dates between June and October of 2027. Prosecutor and Deputy Attorney General David Van Acker did not protest, although Judge Paul B. K. Wong did not land on a specific date Friday; an exact date will be determined at a scheduling conference next Wednesday.

By Wednesday, Fuchigami will also need to decide whether to keep Seitz as his attorney. Van Acker filed a motion in August arguing that Seitz has a conflict of interest in the case, having previously represented state Department of Health Deputy Director Cathy Ross, who will be a witness for the prosecution in the case.

Van Acker said Friday that Ross is not a minor figure in the case, having been the last person to meet with Solidum before his fateful 2022 

 with Luke and former Hawai‘i Rep. Ty Cullen at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Ala Moana. That meeting saw Solidum and his stepdaughter reportedly offer Luke two $5,000 checks.

Van Acker’s motion states that Seitz represented Ross during the Attorney General’s public corruption investigation earlier this year, and that Ross possessed “text communications that were material to [the] investigation.”

On July 24, the day an O‘ahu grand jury indicted Luke, Fuchigami, and the rest, Seitz reportedly went with Ross into the grand jury room. Later that same day, Van Acker’s motion claims, Fuchigami contacted Seitz for assistance with posting bail.

Van Acker told Judge Wong Friday that the appearance of a conflict of interest will severely compromise Seitz’s ability to represent Fuchigami. While Van Acker said he intends to get convictions for the defendants, he added that the appearance of impropriety during such a high-profile case should be avoided at all costs.

Nonetheless, Fuchigami repeatedly told Wong that he wants to retain Seitz as his attorney, even though Wong noted that Seitz will be obligated to keep Ross’ confidentiality, and may not be able to effectively cross-examine her at trial.

Wong said that legal precedent suggests that Fuchigami can waive his right to a conflict-free lawyer if he chooses. But Fuchigami didn’t choose Friday; Wong allowed him to consider his options and to make his decision on Wednesday.

Lukeco

<title>Luke corruption trial pushed to 2027</title>

Trial of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and her alleged associates blows past previous September date.

Luke corruption trial pushed to 2027

 Public schools, the Kaua’i Community College and government offices on Kaua’i will remain closed through Friday as crews work to restore power and remove debris across the island.

While Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday that state and county offices, public schools and other government facilities will reopen on O’ahu, Maui and the Big Island on Wednesday, it is not yet clear when those same facilities will be able to safely reopen on Kaua’i, the county most impacted by Hurricane Lowell.

The Kaua’i facilities and services closed for the rest of the week include: 

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county and state offices"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All Department of Education schools"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county parks and campgrounds"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All state parks and forest reserves"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— The Wailua Golf Course"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county waste transfer stations"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— The Kaua’i Bus"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All Pacific Missile Range Facility recreational sites"}]

Green’s office announced that state and county officials will continue to assess conditions and the progress of recovery throughout this week and will determine whether facilities on Kaua’i will be allowed to open next week.

The vast majority of Kaua‘i residents remain out of power, however. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced Tuesday afternoon that it was able to restore power to 466 customers on Tuesday, but some 32,000 other customers remain in the dark.

Brad Rockwell, KIUC’s Chief of Operations, announced Tuesday that KIUC will focus on repairing transmission lines for the next two days. 

“If all goes well, we can complete that work and shift to repairing distribution circuits by the end of this week, if not earlier," Rockwell said. 

While transmission and distribution lines sustained the most damage in the storm, KIUC reported that its generators were not greatly damaged.

KIUC will prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructure and high-density population areas for the time being.

In the meantime, Hawaiian Electric announced Tuesday afternoon that about 7,900 O‘ahu customers remain out of power, while crews restored power to about 13,100 customers throughout the day. Most of the remaining customers out of power should have their power restored later tonight.

 More than 50,000 people statewide were without power Tuesday morning after Hurricane Lowell passed by the islands.

On Tuesday morning, the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative announced that the vast majority of the island — about 33,000 of 36,000 customers — was left without power after the storm “caused significant damage to [KIUC’s] transmission and distribution system.”

KIUC crews are assessing the scope of the damage, but with around 1,500 miles of transmission lines across the island, the process will take time, and will be exacerbated by road closures and storm debris. 

Consequently, Kaua’i customers should prepare to be without power for several days or longer.

“Our first priority is making sure conditions are safe for our crews, emergency responders and the public,” David Bissell, KIUC president and CEO, said in a statement. “We know our members want to know when their power will be restored. Right now, we need to understand the extent of the damage and what repairs are necessary before we can provide reliable restoration estimates.”

KIUC will provide further updates later Tuesday as crews conduct initial damage assessments.

The Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency reported widespread damage islandwide, including road closures on Kūhiō Highway at the Hanalei Bridge, and on the Kaumuali’i Highway both between Kala Road and Akialoa Road, and at Māluhia Road.

As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, 301 people were being sheltered at Kaua’i’s five storm refuges. 

Meanwhile, on O’ahu, some 21,000 Hawaiian Electric customers were without power as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to a HECO announcement, about 14,400 of the impacted customers were on the Leeward side of the island, with about 6,600 outages on the Windward side.

HECO reported also that an outage on Maui that impacted about 2,700 customers has ended, while fewer than 30 customers on Hawai’i Island were without power Tuesday morning.

As on Kaua’i, damage assessments are ongoing and will be impacted by other storm damage. Estimates for when power will be restored cannot be made until initial assessments are complete.

However, only two road closures were reported on O’ahu by Tuesday morning: a portion of Farrington Highway between Princess Kahanu Avenue and Kaukama Road was closed to all traffic, and the Ala Wai Boat Harbor parking lot was closed in all directions.

Both Kaua’i and O’ahu residents are also advised to limit water use for essential purposes only, as both counties’ municipal water pumps are operated under reduced capacity amid the power outages. O’ahu customers without water can call the Honolulu Board of Water Supply at 808-748-5000 for a water delivery, and Kaua’i customers can report water outages at 808-245-5400.

With Lowell now northwest of the state and moving away, the National Weather Service has discontinued its tropical storm and hurricane warnings, although flood watches and high surf warnings remain in effect throughout the state until this evening at least. Residents should remain cautious around flooded roadways, downed power lines and other debris.

Residents throughout the state are urged to document and report any storm damage to their homes and property. Kaua’i residents can do so via the KEMA 

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday that the City and County of Honolulu is working with state and county partners to determine what assistance is needed on Kaua’i, including personnel, equipment and other resources.

 Hurricane conditions will continue in Kauai County through the morning, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, "with the highest winds atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes, causing widespread power outages. If you use a generator, be sure it is placed at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning."

Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Lowell will continue across the state through Wednesday, with a risk of significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

For O‘ahu: tropical storm conditions are expected for the next few hours, as well as gusts of wind.

Large waves, and dangerous surf and rip currents will continue "during the next day or so along exposed coasts of the Hawaiian Islands."

ASD has received closure notices for Tuesday from Maryknoll School and Chaminade University on Oahu, Bank of Hawai‘i branches in Kaua‘i.

Governor Josh Green announced Monday "that state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County will be closed Tuesday, September 8, because of the continuing threat and impacts of Hurricane Lowell."

The closures include state offices on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, City and County of Honolulu offices, Kauaʻi County offices, Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, as well as public schools and UH campuses on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Essential government services and emergency operations will continue.

“Hurricane Lowell is bringing dangerous conditions, including the threat of destructive winds, flash flooding and damaging surf,” said Governor Green in a statement. “Closing offices and schools will help keep people off the roads, reduce unnecessary travel and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities. Please remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions.”

 Hurricane conditions are expected in Kaua‘i County beginning this afternoon or evening, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Read this morning's bulletin in full 

 —  "Hurricane conditions are expected in Kaua‘i County beginning this afternoon or evening," said CPHC. "Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds.  Tropical storm conditions are possible on O‘ahu beginning this afternoon."

 — Six to 10 inches forecasted for Kaua‘i, up to a possible maximum of 16 inches. For Hawai‘i Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui county, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 10 inches possible. "This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kaua‘i county and portions of the Big Island."

 — From 2 for 4 feet for Kauai, with the greatest surge on the southern coasts. 

 — "Several tornadoes are possible near Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau this afternoon through tonight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands."

 site for additional Hurricane Lowell warnings.

.: Kauai and Ni‘i has remain under a Tropical Storm Watch, and those islands could be seeing tropical storm conditions beginning Monday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Heavy rains are projected to arrive Sunday afternoon and last into next week for all the Islands, which could produce flash floods and mudslides, "especially on Kauai and portions of the Big Island."

Be careful of surf and rip currents. Lowell's large swells arriving through the next few days are expected to make both surf and rip currents life-threatening across parts of the Islands. "Surf along exposed portions of Kaua‘i County could also produce coastal flooding and inundation of low-lying areas Monday through Monday night."

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ORIGINAL STORY:"}]

Even though Hurricane Lowell’s forecasted path appears to be pulling westward, residents shouldn’t be complacent, warn state and county officials.

National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Bravender said Friday that 

 is continuing westward south of Hawai‘i, and is expected to make its northward turn around late Saturday or early Sunday.

“Any time you see a sharp turn like this in a hurricane track, it’s uncertain as to both where exactly it occurs and when exactly it occurs,” Bravender said. “For us, later is better. Later means it keeps going west and turns north later and tracks north farther west of the state.”

Current preliminary models by the National Weather Service show a trajectory where the eye of the storm passes to the west of Ni‘ihau. However, Bravender said there is still a wide margin for error in predicting the movement of a storm four days out, and that the heart of the storm could move an average of 150 miles off the projected course.

Even if Lowell maintains its predicted path, its winds will still reach Hawai‘i. Bravender said Lowell’s northward movement will expose it to high wind shear, which will reduce the hurricane’s power but also expand its wind field.

Consequently, Gov. Josh Green said Friday that emergency preparations are being made statewide, particularly in Kaua‘i County.  Green said the Agribusiness Development Corporation is monitoring reservoirs on Kaua‘i in anticipation of high winds and rainfall, while the Department of Health will open hurricane refuge centers on Kaua‘i.

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami said he is in constant communication with the Robinson family — the owners of the island of Ni‘ihau — and added that he has “supreme confidence” that the island’s small population is well-prepared for Lowell.

“Our Ni‘ihauans are extremely resilient,” Kawakami said. “In fact, the Robinson family has come to our assistance more times than they’ve ever asked for help.”

Nonetheless, Green said the state Department of Human Services will keep hotel rooms available on Kaua‘i in case any Ni‘ihau residents need to relocate temporarily.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense, said 146 Hawai‘i National Guard personnel are standing by throughout the Islands, with more to come over the weekend. On Kaua‘i, 20 National Guard personnel are there already, with another 16 to come on Saturday, while several high-water vehicles and a potable water trailer have been brought to the island as well.

Green on Thursday signed an emergency proclamation in advance of Lowell authorizing the activation of the National Guard as needed to support disaster relief operations, and streamlines the process to secure and distribute resources among state agencies.

The emergency proclamation extends through Nov. 1, unless Green chooses to terminate it early. Therefore, the proclamation also covers potential impacts from Hurricane Karina, which approaches the state from the northeast, and Hurricane Marie, which is distantly to the east, near Baja California.

Bravender said Karina is expected to steadily weaken over the weekend and likely dissipate after Monday, without substantial impacts to the state beyond high surf on east-facing shores.

Kawakami said surf conditions this weekend are for expert surfers only, as Lowell brings powerful swells to south- and west-facing shores statewide.

Bravender said there is the possibility of intensely heavy rainfall this weekend, but estimates are still uncertain; he gave a ballpark estimate of about four to six inches of rain, with Kaua‘i and the Big Island getting about 10 inches of rain.

Kawakami said the approach of Lowell may bring traumatic memories of 1992’s Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful recorded storm to strike the state. He recommended that anyone feeling anxious to call the Hawai‘i CARES helpline at 988.

Ala moana1 1024x577 16x9

<title>Thousands without power as Lowell moves on</title>

Power outages could last for days on Kaua‘i as crews begin damage assessments. Numerous Kaua‘i government functions to remain closed through the week.

Thousands without power as Lowell moves on

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

For about two weeks, Okinawan-owned businesses and restaurants are featuring specialty dishes that are designed to celebrate Okinawan food and culture.

[{"type":"text","text":"Check out this year’s line-up of FEASTival specials:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aloha Andagi"}]

: Sept. 19 and 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out) 

: Aloha Andagi will be popping up in the covered parking lot at Marukai. The biz will feature boro boro jushime (soft rice porridge), regular andagi and Aloha Dogs (Okinawan version of corn dogs). 

This Hawaiʻi-Okinawa style jushime features katsuobushi for the dashi and includes pork, miso, mustard cabbage, sato imo, edamame, tofu, shiitake and maitake mushrooms.

The pop-up only accepts cash; no pre-orders. 

Celebrate Okinawan-owned restaurants and businesses by enjoying specials from Sept. 7 to 21. This year, individuals can look forward to Oki-dog chimichangas, Okinawan sweet potato croquettes, pandan andagi and more.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Pork over the Pali

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Pork over the Pali

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Disney’s live action adaptation of the animated film ‘Moana’

Hawai‘i Scene on Social meets Hawai‘i Skies

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Most read