Hawaiian island Kaua'i urges tourists to postpone trips amid hurricane recovery
Kaua'i officials advise visitors to delay travel as the island continues to restore power and infrastructure after Hurricane Lowell.
The western Hawaiian island of Kaua'i is still recovering from Hurricane Lowell, which hit on Sept. 7 and 8 with strong winds and torrential rain. Power has been restored to roughly 82% of customers, according to county officials, but restoration work continues. County Mayor Derek Kawakami told reporters that the island is not yet ready to accommodate the usual visitor volume and urged tourists to postpone trips.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority issued an advisory asking travelers to either reschedule or choose a different island, and to coordinate changes with airlines and accommodations. Kaua'i, known as the Garden Island, attracted about 1.42 million visitors in 2025, but officials stress that resources must remain focused on recovery efforts. The island’s famed sites such as Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay remain accessible but may experience limited services.
