Hurricane Lowell is currently tracking past western Hawaii, delivering damaging winds, torrential rain, and hazardous waves to the region. The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm, which previously reached Category 3 intensity, was packing maximum sustained winds of 105 mph as a Category 2 hurricane early Tuesday.
As of the 2 a.m. advisory, the center of the storm was located 110 miles northwest of Lihue—the county seat of Kauai County, which encompasses Kauai and Niihau—and 215 miles west-northwest of Honolulu. The system is moving northward at a speed of 18 mph, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 70 miles from its center.
Authorities have issued a hurricane warning for Kauai County and a tropical storm warning for Oahu. The severe weather alert also covers a significant portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a vast protected ocean area spanning nearly 583,000 square miles and containing 10 Hawaiian islands.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency described conditions as “very hazardous” late Monday night, advising residents in Kauai and Oahu to shelter in place. A tornado watch remained in effect until 4 a.m. local time for Niihau, Kauai, and surrounding waters due to the risk of tornadoes and waterspouts, according to CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB-TV.
Forecasts indicate the storm could dump up to 2 feet of rain in some areas, with the hurricane center warning of “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.” Kauai is expected to receive an additional 4 to 8 inches of rain, potentially reaching 24-inch totals in some spots. Meanwhile, the Big Island could see 3 to 8 inches of additional rainfall, with peaks of 12 inches, while Oahu and Maui County may face 2 to 5 inches, with localized totals reaching 10 inches.
“This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island,” the hurricane center stated. Coastal areas are also bracing for waves reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet.
For Kauai residents like Sundey Allan, the storm has evoked memories of the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Allan, who had rented a beachfront property for a family birthday, spent the night securing outdoor furniture and other items against the incoming winds and rising surf. “Anything that could fly, we’re going to try to protect,” she said.
Beyond the immediate weather emergency, the region is managing the impact of the storm alongside other ongoing events, including Labor Day 2026 operations. The broader news cycle also continues to track reports of a missing small plane carrying four family members off the Bahamas, the trial of individuals accused of killing American and Australian surfers in Mexico, and scientific discussions regarding hurricane mitigation. The report also notes that the storm has also left tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the dark. The report also notes that more than a foot of rain has already hit some areas. The report also notes that which devastated the area in 1992, allan was among the Kauai locals for whom Lowell has brought back memories of Hurricane Iniki. The report also notes that too, as well as waves that could reach 20 or 30 feet high, other parts of Hawaii were bracing for ongoing heavy rain. The report also notes that carter Evans contributed to this report.
