by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Fri September 11, 2026
Hawaiian officials are encouraging travelers to stay away from Kaua’i County for now as recovery efforts continue to clear roads and restore power to those affected by Hurricane Lowell, which passed near the island earlier this week.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is encouraging those with travel plans in the county to adjust to parts of Hawai'i that weren’t hit as hard, or to reschedule their trip for a later date.
“Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawai‘i altogether,” said Caroline Anderson, interim president and chief executive officer of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “Adjusting your itinerary allows you to continue your Hawaiʻi vacation while supporting the state’s broader visitor economy as Kauaʻi recovers.”
HTA reminded travelers to contact their travel providers, including airlines and accommodations, for options.
According to ABC News, Kauaʻi suffered damage to oceanfront resorts, roads, and power infrastructure, with thousands of power customers reporting outages. Two deaths were also reported, one in Kaua’i and another in O’ahu.
Governor Josh Green requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump on Wednesday, September 9, to expedite assistance for affected communities.
Impacted businesses that could still operate and serve food, such as The Musubi Truck, used propane and generators to serve over 600 free meals after the hurricane, with a local cafe owner offering free smoothies and a brewer bringing in beer for volunteers.
As for resorts, Ko’a Kea Resort in Poipu hopes to resume normal operations within two weeks and is currently offering refunds to those who must cancel near-term reservations. The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort reported no structural damage and expects to reopen once power is restored.
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