By Felicity Flynn
Correspondent
Hurricane Lowell left thousands without power and killed two Hawaiian citizens, according to The Associated Press. The tropical storm severely impacted Hawaii’s tourism industry after passing near the western Hawaiian islands Kauaʻi and Maui on Sept. 7. Tourists are being told to postpone visiting Kauaʻi as residents and businesses work to recover from the damage caused by the storm.
Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, said in a written statement on Sept. 10 that visitors should consider adjusting their itineraries while Kauaʻi recovers, according to The Associated Press. This would allow tourists to continue their Hawaii vacations while still supporting the state’s broader visitor economy.
Tourism is a major part of Kauaʻi’s economy, making the damage to resorts, businesses and other parts of the island especially concerning for local workers and business owners.
Intense winds and waves damaged oceanfront resorts, roads and other infrastructure while knocking out power for thousands of people across Kauaʻi according to The Associated Press.
Hawaii News Now reported “notable destruction” across parts of the island, with residents and businesses beginning to assess the damage left behind by the storm. Some of the hardest-hit areas experienced flooding, damaged homes and destroyed businesses.
Thousands of homes and businesses were still without power as crews worked to clear roads of fallen trees and utility poles. Nearly all of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative’s members lost electricity during the storm, according to The Associated Press.
The storm not only affected the economy and tourism industry, but also resulted in two deaths connected to Hurricane Lowell, according to Gov. Josh Green.
One of the victims was a 74-year-old man who was found near Kauaʻi’s south shore. The second victim was a homeless man found dead on Oʻahu after a large tree fell on his tent in a park, according to The Associated Press.
Kauaʻi’s main airport also experienced major disruptions as people attempted to leave the island. The airport was operating with limited capacity due to the damage on the main power lines and a loss of power from the second backup generator causing long lines and delays for travelers.
Hurricane Lowell also impacted crucial transportation and supply systems outside of Kauaʻi. The harbor Lānaʻi was deemed inoperable due to a sinkhole that damaged part of the pier and left containers scattered into the water. This harbor is responsible for supplying food, fuel and other necessities to the island’s approximately 3,300 residents. Repairs are expected to take at least two weeks, according toThe Associated Press.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green asked President Donald Trump on Sept. 9 to issue a major disaster declaration to give federal assistance for the Kauaʻi and Maui counties.
“We cannot wait for every damaged road, utility pole, harbor and public facility to be assigned a dollar value before asking the federal government to act,” Green said, according to the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi.
The governor's request came as state and county officials continued assessing the damage across the islands. Green said the declaration would help provide immediate federal assistance as communities begin recovering from the storm. The damage from Hurricane Lowell is being compared to the destruction caused by Hurricane Iniki, a Category 4 storm that struck Kauaʻi in 1992 and caused more than $3 billion in damage, according to Hawaii News Now.
As residents and businesses begin the recovery process, officials are working to restore electricity, clear roads and repair damaged infrastructure while tourism officials continue asking visitors to give Kauaʻi time to recover.
