Hawaii News

Hawaiʻi is bracing for Hurricane Lowell, with the most urgent impacts centered on Kauaʻi County and surf, wind and rain concerns spreading across the islands. Maui Now and Kauaʻi Now report that hurricane conditions are possible for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, with tropical storm conditions expected and the storm’s closest approach forecast for Monday night. The weather coverage also points to high surf warnings and advisories for south- and west-facing shores, plus locally heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. On the Big Island, Big Island Now says a flood advisory is in effect for northern districts, while Maui Now and Kauaʻi Now both flag dangerous surf conditions.

Kauaʻi is also moving into preparedness mode. Kauaʻi Now says residents and visitors should complete emergency kits and prepare for possible electric and water outages. Princeville Utilities Co. has issued a precautionary water conservation notice, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation has deployed $22,000 in Kauaʻi Strong funds through its Stronger Hawaiʻi Initiative to support local prep efforts. The approaching storm has already disrupted events, including the cancellation of the sold-out Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon.

Beyond the storm, Maui Now reports a 15-day extension on the final EIS for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe observatory, and UH Mānoa received a $2 million NSF award to lead an AI-enabled food safety project. The West Coast Health Alliance also issued immunization recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. On Maui, a high school football “Unity Bowl” brought Lahainaluna and Paradise together in West Maui, while on Hawaiʻi Island, police and emergency responders were dealing with crashes, a missing juvenile case resolved by K9 Trina, and a separate fatal motorcycle collision in Hilo.