UPDATE Sept. 8, 5:10 p.m.: 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:
— All county and state offices
— All Department of Education schools
— All county parks and campgrounds
— All state parks and forest reserves
— The Wailua Golf Course
— All county waste transfer stations
— The Kaua’i Bus
— 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.
UPDATE Sept. 8, 10:45 a.m.: 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 website.
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.
UPDATE Sept. 8, 6 a.m.: 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.”
UPDATE Sep. 7, 6:15 a.m.: 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 here. In brief:
Wind — "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."
Rain — 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."
Storm surge — From 2 for 4 feet for Kauai, with the greatest surge on the southern coasts.
Tornadoes — "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."
Visit the state's Emergency Management Agency site for additional Hurricane Lowell warnings.
UPDATE Sep. 6, 12:05 a.m.: 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."
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 Lowell 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.
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