Kauaʻi Welcomes Visitors Post-Hurricane Lowell Recovery
Hawaii’s lush Garden Isle of Kauaʻi is cautiously welcoming tourists back following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Lowell on September 7, 2026. The Category 2 storm brought hurricane-force winds, up to 53 cm of rainfall, and flash flooding that caused widespread power outages, damaged coastal resorts, and left nearly 90% of the island without electricity.
In a phased reopening, South Shore visitor arrivals resumed on September 21, 2026, with North Shore access expected to follow on October 1, 2026. According to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), power has now been restored to approximately 95% of the island, roads have reopened, and businesses and restaurants continue to resume operations daily.
At least 18 homes were completely destroyed and 101 severely damaged in communities including Poʻipū, Port Allen, and Waimea.
Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami has urged visitors to hold off until the island can handle greater capacity, stating the recovery is moving faster than initially anticipated. Major airlines including Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have all issued flexible travel policies for Līhuʻe Airport, allowing travelers to rebook without penalties. Guests with reservations beyond the reopening dates are encouraged to keep their travel plans in place, as the island’s recovery continues at a remarkable pace.
Source: KarryOn – Kauaʻi Reopening Dates After Hurricane Lowell