Hawaii officials tell travellers to avoid Kauai after Hurricane Lowell, urging island switches over cancellations. Hotels, airport disruption and advisor guidance explained.
Cover image: Na Pali Coast cliffs and turquoise water on Kauai, Hawaii — photo by Paul Bica, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Hawaii officials are telling travellers to stay away from Kauai while the island recovers from Hurricane Lowell, and the state tourism authority wants anyone with a Hawaii trip booked to switch islands rather than cancel. Interim HTA president and CEO Caroline Anderson said visitors should "pivot their itineraries to other islands" so Kauai gets room to rebuild while the rest of the state keeps its visitor economy running. The Kauai mayor has separately advised tourists to reconsider travel until the island recovers further.
The guidance follows days of disruption: widespread power cuts, damaged roads, a crippled airport and coastal resorts flooded by surge. Recovery will take weeks, and the trade message is unambiguous. Do not send clients to Kauai right now; move them, rebook them or postpone.
What did officials actually ask visitors to do?
The Hawaii Tourism Authority asked travellers to avoid Kauai for now and redirect to another Hawaiian island instead of scrapping Hawaii trips altogether. Anderson framed it as a rebuild window: the island needs time to restore power, water and roads while the wider state still depends on visitor spending.
Governor Josh Green backed the redirection approach, suggesting tourism shift to other counties, and has asked the White House for a major disaster declaration covering Kauai and Maui counties. The ask covers public recovery money, not visitor compensation, but a declaration typically unlocks the aid pipeline that speeds infrastructure repair.
How bad is the damage on Kauai?
Lowell brought destructive wind and surf to the Garden Isle. Reports describe ripped roofs, toppled trees and power poles, flooded resort lobbies and damaged oceanfront property. Around 33,000 residents lost power at the height of the storm, and thousands of customers including hotels were still without electricity days later. Supplies of food, fuel and water have been strained, with crews still clearing fallen trees and poles and repairing roads.
One widely shared video showed Waimea Pier reduced to concrete pillars, the surrounding park flooded and strewn with branches. Damage varies street by street: some Poipu rentals kept water and beach access while the south shore around Baby Beach was severely damaged. Two deaths in Hawaii have been linked to the storm.
Tourism carries exceptional weight here. At least 40% of island jobs depend on visitors, which is why the HTA is so keen that travellers switch islands instead of cancelling Hawaii entirely.
Which hotels are affected and what are they offering?
Two Poipu-area properties illustrate the range of outcomes:
| Property | Status | Guest policy |
|---|---|---|
| Ko'a Kea Resort, Poipu | Storm-surge damage; cleanup under way | Refunds for affected guests; normal operations projected in about two weeks |
| Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort | No structural damage reported | Temporarily closed pending power restoration |
Policies vary property by property, and that variance is the crux of the trade problem. Some resorts are offering refunds and flexible rebooking; others are holding guests to standard terms. Every Kauai booking on your books needs a direct status check with the property covering power, water, road access, staffing and the reopening date before the client flies.
What happened at Lihue Airport?
Lihue suffered a total power failure, and one of its two backup generators was damaged, leaving the terminal on a single power source. Screening dropped to one lane with repeated security-system reboots, and airlines spaced departures late into the night to stop the terminal overcrowding. Full power was back by Thursday evening, but the backlog lingered: departing passengers on Friday were arriving four to five hours early to clear security and baggage. Tell clients to expect long queues and to confirm departure times before leaving for the airport.
What should travel advisors tell Kauai clients?
The playbook from tourism officials and on-island reporting is consistent:
- Do not send clients to Kauai now. Postpone unless travel is for family needs or organised aid work.
- Reroute, don't cancel. Move Hawaii trips to Oahu, Maui or the Island of Hawaii to keep the booking alive and reduce pressure on Kauai's scarce supplies.
- Check refund and rebooking terms per supplier. Flexibility varies widely; document what each hotel and airline offers before promising clients anything.
- Verify property status in writing. Power, water, access road and reopening date, confirmed directly with the accommodation.
For background on trip protection, see our travel insurance guide and the hurricane-season travel playbook. Hawaii-specific flight disruption context is in our Tropical Storm Moke report, and clients facing long delays should know their delay compensation rights.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kauai open to tourists after Hurricane Lowell?
Technically yes, but officials advise against it. The HTA asks visitors to avoid Kauai during recovery and switch to another island, and the Kauai mayor advises tourists to reconsider travel until the island recovers further. Power, roads and supplies remain strained.
Can I get a refund on my Kauai hotel booking?
It depends on the property. Ko'a Kea in Poipu is refunding affected guests, but policies vary widely and some bookings are being held to standard terms. Contact the hotel directly, get the offer in writing, and check your travel insurance position before accepting.
Is Lihue Airport operating normally?
Not yet. After a power failure and a damaged backup generator cut screening to one lane, full power returned but backlogs persist. Arrive much earlier than usual, expect long security lines, and confirm your flight before heading to the airport.
Should I cancel my Hawaii trip entirely?
Officials say no: move it, don't lose it. Shift your itinerary to Oahu, Maui or the Island of Hawaii. That keeps your holiday while freeing up Kauai's limited power, water, rooms and relief capacity for residents and recovery crews.
