Hurricane Lowell Batters Hawaii With Wind and Rain

Hurricane Lowell battered Hawaii's western islands with powerful winds, torrential rains, and dangerous surf, causing widespread damage, knocking out power to tens of thousands, and resulting in at least one confirmed death, according to officials. The storm passed west of Kauai and Niihau on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, avoiding direct landfall but unleashing its destructive outer bands. On Kauai, nearly all members of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, approximately 35,000 residents, lost electricity. Fierce winds downed trees and power lines, contributing to extensive damage across the island. Mayor Derek Kawakami described the situation as one of widespread destruction, with crews working to clear debris from roads and assess the full scope of the impact. Flooding and mudslides remained a risk throughout Tuesday. Major roads on Kauai, including highways on the North Shore and Westside, became impassable due to flooding and debris. The Port Allen small boat harbor sustained damage, with several vessels sinking and piers destroyed. On Oahu, coastal routes were affected by floodwaters topping a highway.