Hurricane Lowell Strips South Maui Beaches of Up to Half Their Sand
Hurricane Lowell’s storm surge and waves severely eroded beaches from North Kihei to Wailea, reducing sandy areas by 50% or more. Experts expect gradual sand recovery but warn that long-term sea level rise may prevent full restoration. South Maui beaches from North Kihei to Wailea lost up to half their normal sandy area due to […]
Hawaii Tests Artificial Reef to Shield Coastal Roads from Wave Damage
Hawaii researchers are deploying 60 large concrete structures off Oahu to grow a living reef that could reduce wave energy and protect vulnerable coastal highways. The experiment addresses a statewide problem: hundreds of miles of state roads face erosion and flooding with little room to be moved inland. The Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project places 60 […]
Hurricane Lowell Brings Flooding, Outages, and Road Closures to Maui
Hurricane Lowell struck Hawaii as a Category 2 storm, causing coastal flooding that closed roads in South Maui, widespread power outages, and significant infrastructure damage across the islands. The storm has since weakened to tropical storm strength and is moving north. Coastal flooding from Hurricane Lowell closed roads in South Maui and other parts of […]
Hurricane Lowell Disrupts Maui Travel; Roads Reopen as United Waiver Excludes OGG
Hurricane Lowell brought strong winds and heavy rain to Maui in early September 2026, causing flight and road disruptions. United Airlines issued a travel waiver for Līhuʻe (Kauai) flights only — Kahului Airport (OGG) was not included — though road conditions on Maui are improving. Hurricane Lowell passed Hawaii around September 7, 2026, with Kula […]
Hawaii’s Back-to-Back Storms Push State Toward Resilience Overhaul
A historic El Niño season has battered Hawaii with multiple hurricanes and storms in rapid succession, straining emergency management resources. State and county leaders are now discussing long-term changes to infrastructure, building codes, and disaster preparedness to handle increasing climate risks. Hurricane Lowell struck Kauaʻi last week while crews were still repairing Maui and Hawaii […]
Hawaii National Guard Deploys 300+ Personnel to Maui and Kauai After Hurricane Lowell
Following Hurricane Lowell, the Hawaii National Guard mobilized over 300 personnel beginning September 7 to assist with road clearance, search and rescue, water distribution, and emergency power across Maui and Kauai. Maui operations included high-water vehicle teams responding to flooding along Honoapiilani Highway near Olowalu. Task Force Maui deployed High Water Vehicle teams to flooded […]
Lanai’s Kaumalapau Harbor to Reopen Sunday After Hurricane Lowell Damage
Hawaii DOT expects Kaumalapau Harbor on Lanai to resume operations Sunday following hurricane damage, with normal Young Brothers barge service set to restart Wednesday. Remaining land-side repairs, including sinkhole work, are expected to take about seven additional days. Kaumalapau Harbor has been closed since Hurricane Lowell caused structural damage to the pier and seawall. The […]
Hawaii National Guard Deploys 300+ Personnel to Maui and Kauai After Hurricane Lowell
Following Hurricane Lowell’s landfall around September 7, 2026, the Hawaii National Guard mobilized over 300 personnel statewide to support emergency operations on Maui and Kauai, including road clearance, search and rescue, and water distribution. Maui’s Honoapiilani Highway in the Olowalu area experienced flooding that required Guard assistance. Task Force Maui deployed High Water Vehicles to […]
Tropical Storm Lowell Moisture Lingers Over Maui; New Storm Being Watched
Residual moisture from Tropical Storm Lowell is bringing heavy shower risk to parts of Maui County through Thursday morning, after which drier trade wind conditions are expected. Forecasters are also monitoring a new storm system developing over the Eastern Pacific. Leftover moisture from Tropical Storm Lowell may produce heavy showers across Maui County through Thursday […]
Hurricane Lowell Causes Deaths, Power Outages, and Coastal Damage Across Hawaii
Multiple news sources report that Hurricane Lowell struck Hawaii’s main islands, causing significant damage including coastal flooding, downed power lines, and widespread outages. The storm is linked to at least two deaths and prompted Governor Josh Green to request a federal major disaster declaration for Kauai and Maui counties. Lowell has since been downgraded to […]