Hurricane Lowell nears Hawaii; warning for Kauai, Niihau

A rare hurricane warning is in effect for the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niihau as powerful Hurricane Lowell tracks closer to the state. The storm, a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph as of Monday morning, September 7, 2026, is the third significant storm to target Hawaii in just over three weeks, a pattern attributed to an El Niño supercharging the Pacific hurricane season. Lowell's projected path has shifted, with its center now forecast to make its closest pass about 75 to 150 miles west of Kauai and Niihau from Monday night, September 7, through Tuesday morning, September 8. While this distance is expected to keep the most destructive hurricane-force winds offshore, the islands will still experience tropical-storm-force winds of over 39 mph, particularly on Kauai and Niihau, with gusts potentially reaching hurricane force on mountain peaks and slopes due to terrain acceleration. Forecasters anticipate heavy rainfall across the state, with Kauai and Niihau potentially receiving 6 to 10 inches, and isolated totals exceeding 14 inches. This amount is significant, as September is typically one of Kauai's driest months.