Peak of the Hurricane Lowell is arriving with damaging winds, rain and waves impacting Kauaʻi County

(Update: 11 p.m. HST Monday, Sept. 7, 2026) Hurricane Lowell is at its closest approach to the islands, currently passing just west of Niʻihau, brining damaging winds, heavy rain and powerful waves to Kauaʻi County.

At 11 p.m., the center of Hurricane Lowell was located about 90 miles W of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, and about 190 miles WNW of Honolulu, Oʻahu. Lowell remains a category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and higher gusts. The system is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph.

“A motion toward the north-northeast and north at a similar forward speed is forecast through Tuesday. The core of Lowell is expected to pass near or just west of Niʻihau overnight into early Tuesday. Then, Lowell is forecast to turn toward the northwest and west and slow down on Wednesday and Thursday after passing the Hawaiian Islands,” according to the National Weather Service.

Lowell will remain a powerful hurricane while passing near the Hawaiian Islands overnight into early Tuesday, and then weakening is expected over the next several days, according to the NWS.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.

• Barking Sands (PHBK) on western Kauaʻi recently reported sustained winds of 51 mph with a gust to 84 mph.
• Līhuʻe Airport (PHLI) along the southeastern coast of Kauaʻi recently reported sustained winds of 53 mph with a gust to 79 mph.
• Daniel K Inouye International Airport (PHNL) in Honolulu on Oʻahu recently reported a gust of 45 mph.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on aircraft data is 963 mb (28.44 inches).

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oʻahu.

Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami provided an update pleading with the public to stay off the roads, saying the peak of the storm is arriving with heavier hurricane impacts reported.

“We’re seeing downed power lines and downed trees across the island… If you’re already in a safe place, stay there. Keep conserving your water. Keep your devices charged while you still have power,” Kawakami said in a social media update. “Tomorrow, as soon as conditions allow, we’ll have ground crews and air crews out to assess damage and get resources where they’re needed.”

Quick reference numbers for those on Kauaʻi:

• 911 for life-threatening emergencies only
• KPD non-emergency: 808-241-1711
• Road conditions: 808-241-1725
• Department of Water: 808-245-5400
• Kauaʻi Ocean Safety: 808-241-4984

WIND: Hurricane conditions are spreading across portions of Kauaʻi County. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30% stronger than the near-surface winds, according to the NWS. Tropical storm conditions, especially in gusts, are occurring on Oʻahu. Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals, and hurricane conditions are expected there early Tuesday.

RAINFALL: Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches for Kauaʻi, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 12 inches possible. For Oʻahu and Maui county, an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauaʻi County and portions of the Big Island, according to the NWS.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: Kauaʻi County (2-4 ft,) with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauaʻi and the island of Niʻihau; and Oʻahu (up to 1 ft). The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau through the overnight period. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, according to the NWS.

SURF: Swells from Lowell will continue to generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next few days across many of the Hawaiian Islands.