Kaua'i, a scenic Hawaiian island, is urging tourists to postpone their travel plans as it continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Lowell. The storm, which hit on September 7 and 8, brought severe winds, heavy rain, and widespread power outages.
As of Monday, electricity had been restored to approximately 82% of customers on the island, according to Kaua'i County officials. Mayor Derek Kawakami has advised potential visitors against traveling to Kaua'i, stating that the island is still in the process of recovery. He expressed that Kaua'i will "gladly welcome" tourists once the island has recovered sufficiently to accommodate them.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) has also issued an advisory, encouraging travelers with upcoming trips to Kaua'i to reschedule or consider visiting other Hawaiian islands. The HTA advises those rescheduling to check directly with their airlines, accommodations, and other travel providers for updated options.
Kaua'i, also known as the Garden Island, is the fourth-largest of Hawaii's islands and is recognized for its picturesque landscapes, including the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and Hanalei Bay. In 2023, the island welcomed nearly 1.42 million visitors, according to Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
This advisory comes as Hawaii's tourism industry has faced several natural events this year, including brown water advisories due to storm runoff and the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in January, which led to warnings about heavy traffic and potential hazards at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.