Post-Hurricane Lowell – Oahu Updates (4pm Sept. 8, 2026)

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[September 8, 2026 at 4pm] HONOLULU – Since this morning, Hawaiian Electric crews have restored power to approximately 13,100 Oʻahu customers following Hurricane Lowell’s damaging tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall. As of 3 p.m., approximately 7,900 customers remain without power. The majority of the outages are concentrated on the Leeward and Windward coasts, where the most extreme weather conditions were experienced overnight. While estimated restoration times are not available for impacted areas, Hawaiian Electric expects to restore most O‘ahu customers later tonight.

Hurricane Lowell brought significant weather impacts, with wind gusts reaching 81 mph in Mākaha and more than 9 inches of rainfall recorded in some areas. Although Oʻahu remained on the edge of Lowell’s path, the island experienced tropical storm-force winds that damaged roadways and utility infrastructure and contributed to widespread outages. High surf with waves up to 25 feet also affected Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast, inundating coastal areas, forcing the closure of Farrington Highway in Waiʻanae and causing flooding in parts of Mākaha.

Crews are on-site in West Oʻahu and starting repairs, but the closure of Farrington Highway delayed their ability to get there earlier today. Customers in Nānākuli, Waiʻanae and Mākaha should prepare for possible overnight outages.

Throughout the day, Hawaiian Electric crews conducted ground, drone and helicopter inspections across Oʻahu to identify storm damage and prioritize restoration efforts. Aerial inspections help crews assess the electric system and evaluate areas that may be difficult to access because of flooding, downed trees, road closures and storm debris or unsafe conditions.

Hawaiian Electric appreciates customers’ patience and understanding as crews work to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

Report an outage

Customers who are without power but see their neighbors have electricity restored should call their respective Trouble Line to report the outage:

 We are committed to keeping you informed

Hawaiian Electric communicates restoration information to customers frequently through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:

SOURCE

[September 8, 2026] HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green announced that state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) public schools, University of Hawaiʻi campuses and Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu will reopen Wednesday, Sept. 9, as conditions improve following Hurricane Lowell.

All HIDOE public schools and offices on Oʻahu, in Maui County and on Hawaiʻi Island will reopen Wednesday, including the four West Maui schools that were closed Tuesday because of unsafe travel conditions.

In Kauaʻi County, state and county offices and the Kauaʻi Community College will remain closed through Friday, Sept. 11, as crews restore power, remove debris and address other storm impacts. The state Judiciary is assessing facilities and capacity in Kaua‘i County and will make an announcement when plans are finalized.

All public schools on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau High & Elementary School will remain closed to students through Friday. Families, students and employees should check the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education website and social media channels for the latest school closure and reopening information.

“Conditions have improved enough for Oʻahu to fully reopen Wednesday, but Kauaʻi continues to face significant impacts from Hurricane Lowell,” said Governor Green. “Keeping offices and schools closed in Kauaʻi County will give utility, public works and emergency crews the space they need to safely restore power, clear debris and support affected communities. Mahalo to everyone working around the clock on the recovery.”

Officials will assess conditions throughout the week and determine whether facilities in Kauaʻi County can safely reopen the following week. Reopening decisions will depend on progress restoring power, clearing roads and debris and ensuring facilities are safe and accessible.

State employees on Oʻahu should report to their normal worksites or follow their departments’ regular telework schedules Wednesday unless otherwise directed by their supervisors.

State employees in Kauaʻi County will continue to receive administrative leave through Friday, except for:

  • Departmental disaster and emergency coordinators;
  • Disaster response workers;
  • Employees whose work involves essential operations or services, including hospital, correctional, building and grounds maintenance, infrastructure support and food service workers; and
  • Employees assigned to remote work.

Employees in these categories must report to work or perform remote work unless excused by their department. Employees who are unsure of their status should contact their immediate supervisor or manager. County employees should follow instructions from their respective county agencies.

Essential government services and emergency operations will continue in Kauaʻi County throughout the closure.

Residents should continue to avoid downed power lines, damaged roads, debris and other post-storm hazards. Families, students and employees are encouraged to monitor official agency websites at ready.hawaii.gov and social media channels for updates.

SOURCE

[8AM September 8, 2026] NOAA NWS Honolulu Forecast Office Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida – “At 800 AM HST (1800 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lowell was located near latitude 24.5 North, longitude 160.7 West. Lowell is moving toward the north near 18 mph (30 km/h). This general motion is forecast through today, taking the core of Lowell farther from Kauai County. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and west and slow down on Wednesday and Thursday after passing the main Hawaiian Islands. “Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Further weakening is forecast, and Lowell should become a tropical storm later today and continue to weaken for the next couple of days.”

Hurricane Lowell causes power outages on Oʻahu

Crews are responding to approximately 21,000 Oʻahu customers without power

[September 8, 2026] HONOLULU – Hawaiian Electric crews are responding to power outages across Oʻahu after Hurricane Lowell passed the islands overnight, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain. As of 6:30 a.m., approximately 21,000 customers on Oʻahu are without power.

The majority of outages are concentrated on the Leeward and Windward coasts of Oʻahu, with approximately 14,400 customers affected on the Leeward side and approximately 6,600 customers affected in Windward communities. This represents less than 7% of Hawaiian Electric’s total Oʻahu customer base.

Damage assessments began early this morning as crews work to identify storm damage and determine the repairs needed to safely restore power. Estimated restoration times are not available until assessments are completed. Hawaiian Electric appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as crews work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Assessment efforts may be delayed in some areas because of road closures caused by flooding, fallen trees and storm debris. As more information becomes available, Hawaiian Electric will have a clearer understanding of the extent of damage and how long repairs may take.

On Maui, power has been restored to approximately 2,700 customers in the Waiehu area where an outage occurred early this morning.

Meanwhile, restoration efforts related to Hurricane Lala continue on Hawaiʻi Island. As of 6:30 a.m., crews are working to restore power to fewer than 30 customers who remain without service. Approximately 99.9% of impacted customers have been restored.

Report an outage

Customers who are without power but see their neighbors have electricity restored should call their respective Trouble Line to report the outage:

SOURCE

[September 7, 2026] HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green today announced that state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County will be closed Tuesday, September 8, because of the continuing threat and impacts of Hurricane Lowell.

The closures include state offices on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, City and County of Honolulu offices, Kauaʻi County offices, Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, as well as public schools and UH campuses on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Essential government services and emergency operations will continue.

“Hurricane Lowell is bringing dangerous conditions, including the threat of destructive winds, flash flooding and damaging surf,” said Governor Green. “Closing offices and schools will help keep people off the roads, reduce unnecessary travel and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities. Please remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions.”

The National Weather Service warns that dangerous winds, flash flooding and damaging surf will continue tonight and into Tuesday. A statewide flood watch remains in effect through Tuesday, and dangerous coastal conditions are expected along south- and west-facing shores.

State employees affected by the closures should not report to their normal worksites and will be granted administrative leave, except for:

  • Departmental disaster and emergency coordinators;
  • Disaster response workers;
  • Employees whose work involves essential operations or services, including hospital, correctional, building and grounds maintenance, infrastructure support and food service workers; and
  • Employees assigned to remote work.

Employees in these categories must report to work or perform remote work unless excused by their department. Employees who are unsure of their status should contact their immediate supervisor or manager.

County employees should follow instructions from their respective county agencies.

State and county offices and public schools in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties are expected to remain open Tuesday unless otherwise announced. Families, students and employees should check the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education website and social media channels for the latest school closure and reopening information.

Residents are urged to remain away from shorelines, avoid driving through floodwaters, prepare for power outages and continue monitoring official updates from Ready.Hawaii.gov, county emergency management agencies, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. SOURCE

[September 7, 2026] HONOLULU – Hawaiian Electric Company is currently working on restoring power to homes and businesses across Oahu. Always report your outage online with HECO or toll-free 1-855-304-1212 (toll-free)

As of 10pm, 38 outages were reported, impacting about 32000 customers.

If you have a Twitter/X account, you can see updates HERE

[September 7, 2026] HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is asking all Oʻahu residents to please use water sparingly and for priority needs only until further notice. This means using water for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene only.

Residents, especially those without power, should keep water use to an absolute minimum and should not fill containers with water. All of the BWS’s pumps need electricity to operate. This means that the BWS will have limited ability to pump water out of its wells and up to reservoirs during a power outage. Until power can be restored, the water left in the reservoirs will be all the water that is available, so it is essential that residents use water sparingly.

Customers without water can call the BWS at (808) 748-5000, ext. 1, and a roving water wagon will be sent to the affected area.

After power is restored, the BWS asks that residents continue to conserve water, as time is required to allow the electrically powered pumps to replenish reservoirs to normal levels.

The BWS will update the community through news reports as more information is gathered. Residents should stay tuned to news reports and consider signing up to receive email, text message or push notification alerts from BWS and other emergency response agencies through HNL Alert. Sign up at HNLAlert.gov.

If you need to report a water main break or other water emergency, please call (808) 748-5000. SOURCE

[September 7, 2026 at 3:11pm] Honolulu Police Department reports Farrington Highway is closed in the Waiʻanae area between Orange Street and Mākaha Valley Road. Motorists are being rerouted to Jade Street. Avoid the area and use alternate routes until further notice. SOURCE

[September 7, 2026] The City is suspending all permitted camping and outdoor park activities on Oʻahu effective 6 p.m. today, September 7. City parks, facilities and botanical gardens will remain open unless weather conditions worsen. Avoid unnecessary travel and continue monitoring HNL Alert and official City updates. SOURCE

[September 7, 2026] Nānākuli Elementary will open as a Hurricane Refuge Area today, Monday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m. for residents and visitors seeking a safe place during Tropical Storm Lowell. Residents or visitors seeking shelter can use TheBus routes C or 40, then transfer to Route 403 at Nānākuli Avenue. Transit fares still apply for these routes.

Location: 89-778 Haleakalā Ave, Waiʻanae, HI 96792

There are no evacuation orders at this time.

Residents should monitor conditions and be prepared to take action if needed. Bring food, water, medications and other essential items. The refuge area is pet-friendly; pets must be leashed or in a carrier. SOURCE