Kauai County Provides Latest on Storm Recovery and Nolo Preparations
Recovery efforts from Hurricane Lowell are ongoing across Kauai. The county emergency management agency is urging residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Nolo, which is expected to pass near the Big Island as a major hurricane. Officials recommend having a 14-day supply of food and water and knowing evacuation routes.
Kauai's recovery from Hurricane Lowell continues as the island simultaneously braces for the approach of Tropical Storm Nolo, which forecasters expect to pass near the Big Island on Saturday with major hurricane strength. The county has opened two hurricane resource centers in Hanalei and Koloa, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where residents can access unemployment insurance assistance, real property tax application services, and emergency food distributions.
Officials are emphasizing self-sufficiency in preparedness, recommending households maintain a 14-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day. Residents who lost food due to power outages may qualify for replacement SNAP benefits, and a Wednesday deadline for real property tax exemption applications will not be extended. A shuttle service from Hanalei Colony Resort runs hourly to the resource center.
This dual emergency—ongoing recovery from one storm while preparing for another—could strain county resources and test resident resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups like kupuna, keiki, and those with medical needs. The 14-day supply guidance suggests officials anticipate potentially prolonged disruptions. Delays in unemployment assistance or tax filings could create financial hardship for households already impacted by Lowell. The situation may also highlight gaps in emergency preparedness across neighboring counties, as Maui faces lesser warnings while Hawaii County prepares for the storm's direct effects.