Hawaii tourists told to stay away from Kauai as…
Tourism officers are asking guests to steer clear of one of Hawaii’s most picturesque islands as residents and companies work to recuperate from the latest tropical storm to thrash the state.
Intense wind and surging waves from Hurricane Lowell broken oceanfront resorts, ripped aside roads and knocked out energy early this week on Kauai, recognized for its gorgeous tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs.
Thousands of prospects, including some resorts, remained without energy late Thursday, as crews continued clearing streets of downed trees and utility poles. Extensive traces backed up at Kauai’s major airport Thursday as people tried to depart the island.
Damage left behind by Hurricane Lowell is seen at the Ko’a Kea Resort in Kauai, Hawaii, on Sept. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Barbie Braithwaite
“Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawai‘i altogether,” Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, said in a written assertion.
“Adjusting your itinerary allows you to continue your Hawaiʻi vacation while supporting the state’s broader visitor economy as Kauaʻi recovers.”
Kauai sees only a small fraction of Hawaii’s virtually 10 million guests each yr, but tourism is its top financial driver, with people coming from all over to take in its tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. Local estimates say tourism accounts for 4 out of every 10 jobs on the island.
The hurricane’s highly effective storm surge buckled and washed away roads, knocked down the partitions of properties and flooded resorts, sending rapids through a lodge foyer, overturning furnishings and scattering particles.
It was blamed for two deaths, including a 74-year-old man discovered Wednesday close to Kauai’s south shore and a man discovered lifeless Monday on Oahu after a large tree fell on his tent.
Ko‘a Kea Resort management said it could offer refunds to company who had to cancel their reservations. AP Photo/Barbie Braithwaite
Democratic Gov. Josh Green requested President Trump on Wednesday to issue a major catastrophe declaration to expedite federal help for Kauai and Maui counties.
At the Ko‘a Kea Resort in Poipu, management said it could offer refunds for those who had to cancel reasonably than reschedule their reservations, but that it anticipated to resume regular operations within two weeks.
The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, which sustained no structural injury, said it had to close starting Thursday night but hoped to reopen soon after energy is restored.
Hawaii tourism officers are urging guests to keep away from Kauai as the island recovers from Hurricane Lowell’s injury. AFP via Getty Images
While photographs of destruction flooded social media, 68-year-old Chris White, a lifelong resident of Kauai and the proprietor of a rental home in Poipu, famous that a lot of the island was spared vital injury.
He said he retains a spare generator and photo voltaic water heater at the property in case of energy outages, and he urged potential guests to examine with the house owners of their properties about whether or not they need to still come.
“There are countless images on the web of devastation, so I’m not trying to gloss that over,” White said. “I’m just trying to add a little more balance to it. It’s a beautiful day here. Guests can still walk to Poipu Beach. There are bathrooms that work. The water’s running.”
A surfer carries his board along the shoreline at Electric Beach in Waianae, Hawaii, on Sept. 7, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
Kelly Kakalia, co-owner of The Musubi Truck, a Kauai food truck business, said she isn’t overly apprehensive about the interruption to tourism.
“I would be silly to say tourism doesn’t drive our economy,” she said, but “our island needs time to rest and rebuild and make sure locals have power and water” before welcoming back tourists.
On Wednesday, Musubi’s employees used its industrial kitchen in Wailua, on Kauai’s east facet, to serve practically 600 free meals. Relying on propane to cook and mills to keep food cold, they ready poke bowls, chicken, ahi katsu and rice.
Hurricane Lowell prompted widespread injury across Kauai, flooding resorts and knocking out energy. NOAA/AFP via Getty Images
A neighboring cafe proprietor plugged a blender into her pickup truck to make free smoothies, and a close by brewery introduced heat beer for the volunteers.
“We were serving from 10:30 to 4 and there was a line the entire time,” Kakalia said.
Born and raised on Kauai, the 36-year-old said she didn’t need to promote food during a time of need. The neighborhood is crammed with classmates, cousins and others she’s recognized all her life, she said.
After the kitchen obtained energy back, Kakalia donated the mills to other households still without electrical energy.
As for dropping any business, she said, “that’s just part of it.”
“The community and island are more important,” Kakalia said.
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