Hawaii News

Hurricane Lowell is the dominant statewide story, with partner coverage across Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now describing a strengthening storm, high surf and preparations for possible impacts. Maui Now reported that Lowell regained category 5 intensity and could pass near Kauaʻi Monday night, while Big Island Now said the storm was again a Category 5 system with winds of 160 mph and that rainfall and high surf were still expected for the Big Island. Kauaʻi Now reported the storm had strengthened to Category 5 and urged residents, visitors and businesses to finish preparing, with the county also extending a high surf advisory for south- and east-facing shores of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi. Across the islands, the material points to a weekend of rough surf, rain and readiness steps rather than a single confirmed landfall track.

On Maui, local emergency response remains active on several fronts. A wildland fire burned about half an acre in Kīhei, and a home fire in Pukalani displaced five people and injured two with minor burns. Maui Now also reported a prison sentence for a Maui man already serving time for carjacking, and separate community and housing items noted a fiber arts show, small business award nominations, and a proposed workforce housing meeting at Hale Makua. The county’s housing market also saw increased sales in August even as median prices declined.

On Hawaiʻi Island, weather and recovery from recent shaking are both in focus. Big Island Now reported forecast rain and high surf tied to Lowell, along with a separate surf forecast and a weather forecast for Hawaiʻi County. The island is also still dealing with the Kona earthquake response, with community resource centers and online applications available to help residents access disaster recovery support.

Kauaʻi is bracing most directly for Lowell. In addition to storm-prep guidance and surf advisories, Kauaʻi Now reported emergency road closures on Kalama Road in Wailuā and an extended closure of Kaumumene Trail because of inclement weather. The county’s storm coverage is paired with a separate criminal case in which a family is seeking a harsher sentence after a hit-and-run death.