Hawaii News

Hawaiʻi is bracing for a major weather shift as Hurricane Lowell approaches from the east and forecasters warn of worsening conditions across the islands. Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now all report that Lowell is expected to turn north or west-northwest, with tropical storm watch issued for Kauaʻi County and a flood watch in effect Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon for the entire state. Big Island Now says the storm’s moisture could bring periods of heavy rain statewide, while Kauaʻi Now says tropical storm conditions are possible by late Monday or Monday night in Kauaʻi County. Maui Now also reports a watch for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau and says Lowell is forecast to move close to Kauaʻi County Monday night as a category 2 to 3 hurricane.

The storm is already driving marine and shoreline impacts. Big Island Now reports high surf advisories extended for most Big Island shores, with surf up to 14 feet forecast along some coastlines, and notes several beaches and other facilities have been closed. Kauaʻi Now says swells from Lowell and Karina are pushing the high surf advisory toward a possible warning Sunday night into Monday for affected south-facing shores. Maui Now and Big Island Now also point to ongoing preparedness messaging, including a Maui Fire Department training effort for home wildfire assessors and a statewide reminder that September is National Preparedness Month.

Beyond the weather, several community and public-service items are moving. Maui Now reports the community turned out for the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Island Donation Drive, but more donations are still needed to fill a shipping container headed to Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now also says the Hawaiʻi Department of Health is offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured women who qualify, and the County of Maui offices will be closed Monday for Labor Day. On Kauaʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi received a $2 million award for artificial intelligence tools aimed at protecting food production systems, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources granted a 15-day extension to the U.S. Navy and NASA on the final environmental impact statement for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe observatory.