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Photos: Impacts of Hurricane Lowell across the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Tori DeJournett

Published September 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM HST

Updated September 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM HST

Workers removing a tree from Waiahōle on Oʻahu on Sept. 6, 2026. — The exterior wall and lower level of an oceanfront home were torn open after Hurricane Lowell, exposing framing and interior spaces in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Send your storm photos to news@hawaiipublicradio.org and include your name and location, and we may share them in this story or on HPR's digital platforms.

Hurricane Lowell has moved away from the islands but caused flooding, fallen trees and closures. Storm surge, strong winds and heavy rainfall impacted the state, particularly in Kauaʻi County.

Here's what people are seeing:

Boulders seen blocking the intersection of Kaumualiʻi Highway and ʻAkialoa Road in Kekaha, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

The double yellow centerline of a coastal road leads directly into an area stripped of pavement and covered with storm debris after Hurricane Lowell on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — The double yellow centerline of a coastal road leads directly into an area stripped of pavement and covered with storm debris after Hurricane Lowell in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Vegetation, broken panels and storm debris are piled against a bar and interior fixtures after Hurricane Lowell on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

A open-air interior is filled with storm debris, damaged furnishings and vegetation after Hurricane Lowell on the island of Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Furniture, electronics, mud and structural debris are piled inside an oceanfront residence in Poiʻpū, Kauaʻi, following Hurricane Lowell. — Furniture, electronics, mud and structural debris are piled inside an oceanfront residence in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, following Hurricane Lowell.

oken glass, vegetation and displaced furniture cover an interior space after Hurricane Lowell breached the oceanfront building on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Broken glass, vegetation and displaced furniture cover an interior space after Hurricane Lowell breached the oceanfront building on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

A fallen palm tree blocks a coastal road in Poipu, Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell, while residents walk through the damaged area beyond. (Sept. 8, 2026) — A fallen palm tree blocks a coastal road in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell, while residents walk through the damaged area beyond. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Mud, grass, water and displaced furniture fill the interior of an oceanfront residence in Poipu, Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell forced debris through damaged windows and doors — Mud, grass, water and displaced furniture fill the interior of an oceanfront residence in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell forced debris through damaged windows and doors.

Mud, vegetation and debris cover the floor inside a storm-damaged oceanfront restaurant on Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell. (Sept. 8, 2026)

A woman carrying a child walks through a narrow passage surrounded by storm debris and damaged structures in Poiʻpū, Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell. — A woman carrying a child walks through a narrow passage surrounded by storm debris and damaged structures in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell.

A collapsed interior wall, damaged air-conditioning unit and overturned furniture show the force of Hurricane Lowell inside an oceanfront residence.

A damaged oceanfront structure stands above a deeply eroded and debris-filled section of the neighborhood in Poiʻpū, Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell. — A damaged oceanfront structure stands above a deeply eroded and debris-filled section of the neighborhood in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell.

Broken concrete slabs and eroded ground lead toward the ocean after Hurricane Lowell tore through the coastal edge a neighborhood in Kauaʻi. — Broken concrete slabs and eroded ground lead toward the ocean after Hurricane Lowell tore through the coastal edge of a neighborhood in Kauaʻi.

An entire exterior wall and window system has been torn away from an oceanfront residence after Hurricane Lowell, leaving the interior fully exposed to the sea. (Sept. 8, 2026)

A damaged household electronic device lies in mud and debris after floodwater and waves swept through a neighborhood in Kauaʻi during Hurricane Lowell.

Residents walk through the damaged coastal neighborhood in Poipu after Hurricane Lowell, passing debris, downed vegetation and compromised utility infrastructure. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Residents walk through the damaged coastal neighborhood in Poʻipū after Hurricane Lowell, passing debris, downed vegetation and compromised utility infrastructure. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Bent and tangled metal furniture is piled against a damaged opening after Hurricane Lowell swept through an oceanfront property in Poiʻpū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Bent and tangled metal furniture is piled against a damaged opening after Hurricane Lowell swept through an oceanfront property in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

An oceanfront home sits in the middle of what had been Hoona Road in Poipu after massive waves generated by Hurricane Lowell ripped the structure completely from its foundation and carried it into the street on the island of Kauaʻi. Debris and severe coastal damage surround the displaced home. (Sept. 8, 2026) — An oceanfront home sits in the middle of what had been Hoona Road in Poʻipū after massive waves generated by Hurricane Lowell ripped the structure completely from its foundation and carried it into the street on the island of Kauaʻi. Debris and severe coastal damage surround the displaced home. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Police officers speak with residents amid standing water, debris and damaged homes along Hoona Road in Poiʻpū on the island of Kauaʻi following Hurricane Lowell. The hurricane brought damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding and widespread power outages to the island overnight. — Police officers speak with residents amid standing water, debris and damaged homes along Hoona Road in Poʻipū on the island of Kauaʻi following Hurricane Lowell. The hurricane brought damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding and widespread power outages to the island overnight. (Sept. 8, 2026)

The ocean is visible through a room whose exterior wall was ripped away during Hurricane Lowell, leaving broken framing and water damage behind in Poiʻpū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — The ocean is visible through a room whose exterior wall was ripped away during Hurricane Lowell, leaving broken framing and water damage behind in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Severe coastal erosion is visible along the shoreline after Hurricane Lowell, where waves stripped away soil and vegetation near oceanfront homes in Poipu, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Severe coastal erosion is visible along the shoreline after Hurricane Lowell, where waves stripped away soil and vegetation near oceanfront homes in Poʻipū, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Residents survey storm damage along the oceanfront after Hurricane Lowell, where debris, broken vegetation and standing water cover the roadway. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Residents survey storm damage along the oceanfront after Hurricane Lowell, where debris, broken vegetation and standing water cover the roadway on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Cones blocked off access to the damaged harbor on Sept. 8. — Cones blocked off access to Kaumālapaʻu Harbor on Lanaʻi on Sept. 8, 2026. The harbor was damaged during Hurricane Lowell.

Lānaʻi residents lined up to fill up on gas on Sept. 8, as fuel restrictions were put in place to conserve supplies. — Lānaʻi residents lined up to fill up on gas on Sept. 8, 2026,as fuel restrictions were put in place to conserve supplies.

Hurricane Lowell caused significant infrastructure damage to Lānaʻi's harbor and carried away shipping containers, leaving some displaced on land and others across the harbor.

Crews work to restore power lines on Ahukini Road on Kauaʻi, after Hurricane Lowell.

North Kīhei Road closed in both directions Tuesday early morning between Honoapiʻilani Highway and South Kīhei Road due to high surf, coastal flooding, and debris. (Sept. 8, 2026) — On Maui, North Kīhei Road closed in both directions Tuesday early morning between Honoapiʻilani Highway and South Kīhei Road due to high surf, coastal flooding, and debris. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Teresa Salva, 68, Wai’anae resident, helps clear sand from Hurricane Lowell's high surf along Farrington Highway. She and other residents say they've never seen the water go over to this part of town. — Teresa Salva, 68, a Wai’anae, Oʻahu resident, helps clear sand from Hurricane Lowell's high surf along Farrington Highway on Tuesday afternoon. She and other residents say they've never seen the water go over to this part of town.

Sand and flooding from Hurricane Lowell at an O'Reilly Auto Parts parking lot on Farrington Highway on Oʻahu.

Crews work to remove sand from high surf at the intersection of Mākaha Valley Road and Farrington Highway. — Crews work to remove sand from high surf at the intersection of Mākaha Valley Road and Farrington Highway on Oʻahu.

A sign reads "Yes we are open!" at a Sack N Save in Nānākuli. (Sept. 8, 2026) — A sign reads "Yes, we are open!" at a Sack N Save in Nānākuli. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Flooding near Farrington Highway and Lualualei Naval Road on Monday, Sept. 8, 2026. — Flooding near Farrington Highway and Lualualei Naval Road on Oʻahu on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

Downed trees on Kaumualiʻi Highway on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Downed trees on Kaumualiʻi Highway on Kauaʻi. Kaumualiʻi Highway was closed between Kala Road and Akialoa Road due to storm surge and debris. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Kauaʻi base yard gas bay damage from Hurricane Lowell. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Kauaʻi base yard gas bay damaged from Hurricane Lowell. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Crews work to clean debris from Kaumualiʻi Highway, near Knudsen Gap, on Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Fallen tree clearing at Paakea Road and Hakimo Road in Oʻahu, Waiʻanae. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Fallen tree clearing at Paʻakea Road and Hakimo Road in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu (Sept. 8, 2026)

On Oʻahu, crews continue to remove sand and debris to restore access on Farrington Highway in Nānākuli and Mākaha as high surf swells drop Tuesday morning. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Crews worked to remove sand and debris to restore access on Farrington Highway in Nānākuli and Mākaha as high surf swells dropped Tuesday morning. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Boulders seen blocking Kaumualiʻi Highway on Kekaha, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Boulders seen blocking Kaumualiʻi Highway in Kekaha, Kauaʻi. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Early Tuesday morning, high surf continued to send water over Honoapiʻilani Highway near Lone Pine on Maui. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Early Tuesday morning, high surf sent water over Maui's Honoapiʻilani Highway, which forced the temporary closure of the road between Lone Pine and Māʻalaea on Maui. (Sept. 8, 2026)

Crews cleared a downed street light pole and trees on Oʻahu's Farrington Highway near Glenmonger Street Monday night, Sept. 7, 2026. — Crews cleared a downed street light pole and trees on Oʻahu Farrington Highway near Glenmonger Street Monday night, Sept. 7, 2026.

Hurricane Lowell downed poles and lines near mile marker 17 on Kūhiō Highway in Moloaʻa, Kauaʻi. — Hurricane Lowell downed poles and utility lines near mile marker 17 on Kūhiō Highway in Moloaʻa, Kauaʻi.

A roof was damaged at the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation's base yard in Līhuʻe on Kauaʻi. It's not expected to impact operations. — A roof was damaged at the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation's base yard in Līhuʻe on Kauaʻi. It's not expected to impact operations. (Sept. 7, 2026)

Honoapiʻilani Highway on Maui between Kapoli Street in Māʻalaea to Ehehene Street in Olowalu was closed Sept. 7, 2026 due to the rocks and debris washed onto the roadway from storm surge. — Honoapiʻilani Highway on Maui between Kapoli Street in Māʻalaea to Ehehene Street in Olowalu was closed Sept. 7, 2026, due to rocks and debris washed onto the roadway from storm surge.

High surf brought sand onto Farrington Highway in Nānākuli, Oʻahu, prompting a full closure of the roadway. Crews worked to clear the sand on Sept. 8, 2026 — High surf from Hurricane Lowell's storm surge brought sand onto Farrington Highway in Nānākuli, prompting a full closure of the roadway. Crews worked to clear the sand on Sept. 8, 2026.

High surf seen at Oʻahu's Point Panic on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.

Rocks and debris blocking one lane on Hana Highway on Maui. (Sept. 6, 2026) — Rocks and debris blocking one lane at Mile Marker 16.5 on Hana Highway Rte. 360 near Ke‘anae, Maui. (Sept. 6, 2026)

Workers removing a tree from Waiahōle on Sept. 6, 2026. — Workers removing a tree from Waiāhole, Oʻahu on Sept. 6, 2026.

Crews work on Waiahole Bridge on Kamehameha Highway late Sunday night. (Sept. 6, 2026) — Crews worked on Oʻahu's Waiāhole Bridge on Kamehameha Highway late Sunday night. (Sept. 6, 2026)

Honolulu crew clearing downed and leaning trees on Pali Highway Kailua-bound Monday morning. (Sept. 7, 2026) — Honolulu crews cleared downed and leaning trees on the Pali Highway's Kailua-bound lanes on Monday morning. (Sept. 7, 2026)

Trees down blocking two lanes on Vineyard Blvd on Oʻahu. (Sept. 7, 2026) — Trees down blocking two lanes on Vineyard Boulevard on Oʻahu. (Sept. 7, 2026)

Crews cleared the culvert under Kamehameha Highway by Sunset Beach Skate Park and Kalanianaole Highway on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. — Crews on Oʻahu cleared the culvert under Kamehameha Highway by Sunset Beach Skate Park and Kalanianaʻole Highway on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.

Southbound on Kaua'i's Wailua Bridge on Kūhiō Highway (Sept. 7, 2026) — Southbound on Kauaʻi's Wailua Bridge on Kūhiō Highway (Sept. 7, 2026)

Kaua'i's Hanalei Bridge on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. County officials closed the bridge Monday morning. — Kauaʻi's Hanalei Bridge on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. County officials closed the bridge Monday morning.

HPR will be providing storm updates on hawaiipublicradio.org as they come in. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center will have its latest forecast at 5 and 11 a.m. and 5 and 11 p.m. Emergency alerts will be broadcast on both HPR-1 and HPR-2 — here's how to listen on the radio and streaming. You can also find updates on Facebook and Instagram.

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Tori DeJournett

Tori DeJournett is a digital news producer for Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

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