Hurricane Lowell Update
"Major Hurricane Lowell turns north as Kauai County remains under tropical storm warning."
Views expressed in this hurricane update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 06 September 2026, 2146 UTC.
Content and Source: "Honolulu Star-Advertiser."
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/09/06/breaking-news/kauai-niihau-under-tropical-storm-warning-as-major-hurricane-lowell-approaches/
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).
Kauai, Niihau under tropical storm warning as major Hurricane Lowell approaches
COURTESY CPHC
The five-day forecast map for Hurricane Lowell as of 5 a.m. today
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 cyclone, continues on a path to move just west of the islands.
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals, is under a hurricane warning.
A warning is issued 36 hours before the expected arrival of tropical storm- or hurricane-force winds for those areas, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous, officials said. Sustained winds on Kauai could reach 35 mph to more than 55 mph, with higher gusts in some areas of the island.
The entire state is under a flood watch through Tuesday afternoon, starting at noon today for Niihau and Kauai and tonight for the rest of the islands. Rain totals on Kauai could top 14 inches in some areas.
At 8 a.m. today, Lowell was a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, moving north-northwest at 5 mph. It was centered 575 miles south-southwest of Lihue and 595 miles southwest of Honolulu. Hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or more extend up to 50 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend up to 175 miles, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
“A turn toward the north and north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days, bringing the center of Lowell across portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, just west of the main Hawaiian Islands, Monday night,” forecasters said. “Lowell is forecast to turn toward the north-northwest and slow down by Tuesday night after passing the Hawaiian Islands.”
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It is expected to remain a major hurricane through Monday, they said.
The Kauai Emergency Management Agency today urged residents to stay home and off the roads as conditions worsen.
“Secure loose items around your property, fill your gas tank, charge your devices, refill prescriptions, and make sure your household has sufficient water, food and emergency supplies. Residents should also check on family members, neighbors and kupuna who may need additional assistance,” KEMA officials said
County officials, along with the American Red Cross, have identified the following potential emergency “refuge areas” ahead of Lowell’s arrival:
>> Kilauea Neighborhood Center at 2460 Keneke Street;
>> Kapaa Middle School at 4867 Olohena Road;
>> Kauai High School Gym at 3577 Lala Road in Lihue;
>> Kalaheo Neighborhood Center at 4480 Papalina Road;
>> and Waimea Canyon Middle School at 9555 Huakai Road.
The shelters are not open currently and officials said they will provide updates if and when they are opened. For more information, go to kauai.gov/KEMA .
The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said residents should prepare now for the possibility of power outages. Officials said outages are expected Monday into Tuesday, and depending on extent of the damage, restoration could require multiple days. Residents are encouraged to:
>> Use surge protectors to protect appliances and equipment.
>> Turn off and unplug all unnecessary appliances or equipment.
>> Keep a portable battery-powered radio and flashlights with extra batteries.
>> Stay away from downed lines and report to 911.
>> Have backup power sources for essential medical equipment.
RELATED STORY: Kauai braces for Hurricane Lowell as it heads north
The CPHC warned of the following conditions from Lowell’s close pass west of the main islands:
>> Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected in Kauai County by Monday afternoon or evening. Hurricane conditions are possible in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals Monday night, with tropical storm conditions beginning Monday afternoon. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30% stronger than near-surface winds, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.
>> Rain: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches on Kauai, with maximum totals of 14 inches possible. On the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain are expected, with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. On Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island. “Moisture along the eastern flank of Hurricane Lowell will bring periods of heavy rain to the main Hawaiian Islands late Sunday through Tuesday. Initially, the threat of heavy rain will be highest along windward and mountain areas, then the threat will spread everywhere as the winds become more southerly by Monday,” according to the flood watch.
>> 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: Kauai County, 1 to 3 feet; and Oahu, up to 1 foot. 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.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high surf advisory until 6 a.m. Tuesday for the south and east shores of all islands, and for the west shores of the Big Island.
Waves of up to 10 feet are expected along east and south shores, increasing to 14 feet for south shores by Sunday night, while surf up to 10 feet is predicted for west shores of the Big Island, forecasters said.
The advisory is likely to be upgraded to a warning for south- and west-facing shores on Monday as surf heights are expected to rapidly rise to warning levels, they said.
“High surf will coincide with monthly high tides, creating the potential for impacts to harbor entrances, channels and vulnerable coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways,” according to the advisory.
A small craft advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo Channel, Alenuihaha Channel, Big Island Leeward Waters and Big Island Southeast Waters, with seas up to 12 feet expected.
The NWS has also issued a hurricane warning for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles, including the portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals, until Thursday. Seas of up to 10 feet, peaking at 19 feet on Tuesday, are predicted, as are thunderstorms. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for offshore waters of the main islands beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles.
Two other tropical cyclones in the East and Central Pacific are not expected to impact Hawaii.
At 5 a.m., Tropical Storm Karina was centered 660 miles east-northeast of Hilo, with 60 mph winds and moving northwest at 7 mph. By tonight, Karina is expected to be a “post-tropical gale” far from Hawaii.
In the East Pacific, off the coast of Mexico, Hurricane Marie has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was about 800 miles from the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest and away from land. It is expected to steadily weaken and be a post-tropical depression far off the Southern California coast by Thursday.
