Kauai Recovery: Hawaii Encourages Tourists to Reroute Following Hurricane Lowell
Hawaii’s tourism officials are urging all visitors to steer clear of the island of Kauai as the community works to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Lowell. Intense winds and surging waves damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads, and knocked out power across the island, known for its stunning tropical landscapes, waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs.
As of Friday, September 12, thousands of residents and resort guests remained without power. Crews are still clearing streets of downed trees and utility poles. Kauai’s primary airport was forced to operate on a lone backup generator after a second unit was damaged in the storm, causing extensive departure lines and disruptions.
Caroline Anderson, interim President and CEO of the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA), urged flexibility rather than cancellations: “Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawai’i altogether.” Travelers with upcoming Kauai bookings are encouraged to reroute to Oʻahu, Maui, Lānaʻi, or Hawaiʻi Island instead. The Kauaʻi Police Department has also asked both residents and visitors to limit travel to essential trips only while recovery operations continue.
Major airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta have issued flexible travel waivers for affected passengers, allowing fee-free changes or island switches through late September 2026.
Source: ABC News – Tourists Should Skip Kauai as It Recovers from Hurricane Lowell