[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