Hurricane Lowell begins to move away from state, Tropical Storm Warning remains for Oʻahu

Title slide for a press briefing on Hurricane Lowell, featuring a red hurricane symbol over a stormy sky background. Logos for NOAA, the National Weather Service, the City and County of Honolulu, and the Department of Emergency Management (Oahu) are displayed at the bottom.

HONOLULU —The City and County of Honolulu continues to closely monitor Hurricane Lowell as it begins move north, away from the Hawaiian Islands. As of 2 a.m. Tuesday, Hurricane Lowell was approximately 215 miles west-northwest of Honolulu. The storm was located near latitude 22.9 North and longitude 160.8 West and was moving north at 18 mph.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauaʻi County, including Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, while a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Oʻahu.

Hurricane Lowell made its closest approach to the state at around 12 a.m. on Tuesday, bringing wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph to parts of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. Although the storm is beginning to move away, residents are urged to remain vigilant, as strong winds, rain, and flooding remain possible throughout the day.

NOAA National Hurricane Center forecast cone map for Hurricane Lowell, issued Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 2 AM HST, Advisory 49A. Current center is at 22.9°N 160.8°W with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, moving north at 18 mph. The forecast track curves northwest then west, passing near 8 PM Tuesday, 8 AM and 8 PM Wednesday, 8 AM and 8 PM Thursday, 8 PM Friday, and 8 PM Saturday, weakening from hurricane to tropical storm strength over time. A hurricane warning (red) and tropical storm warning (blue) are shown near the Hawaiian Islands, southeast of the storm's current position.

Hurricane Refuge Area:

The City has opened a Hurricane Refuge Area at Nānākuli Elementary for residents and visitors in need of shelter during the storm. As of 2 a.m., there were four individuals utilizing the space. The site will remain open and available to those in need until the threat of Hurricane Lowell has passed.

Nānākuli Elementary School

89-778 Haleakala Avenue, Waiʻanae

Pet Friendly: Yes

Those seeking shelter are advised to bring their own food, water, medications, and other essential items whenever possible. This location is pet-friendly, but pets must be leashed or remain in a carrier. Owners are responsible for their pets and should bring necessary supplies.

Public Schools, State/City Offices, Non-Essential Services Close Tuesday:

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has ordered the closure of all non-essential City and County of Honolulu offices and services for today, Tuesday, September 8.

The closure will allow emergency response and recovery operations to continue, while keeping unnecessary traffic off the roads as first responders and City crews assess conditions across the island.

Additionally, Governor Josh Green has closed state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi for today.

Board of Water Supply:

The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is asking all Oʻahu residents to use water sparingly and for priority needs only until further notice. This means using water for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene only.

Residents, especially those without power, should keep water use to an absolute minimum and should not fill containers with water. All of the BWS’s pumps need electricity to operate. This means that the BWS will have limited ability to pump water out of its wells and up to reservoirs during a power outage. Until power can be restored, the water left in the reservoirs will be all the water that is available, so it is essential that residents use water sparingly.

Customers without water can call the BWS at (808) 748-5000, ext. 1, and a roving water wagon will be sent to the affected area.

After power is restored, the BWS asks that residents continue to conserve water, as time is required to allow the electrically powered pumps to replenish reservoirs to normal levels.

Department of Environmental Services:

Trash collection services will continue as scheduled with no changes to regular pickup days or times. Residents should place their trash out as usual and secure bins to prevent them from being blown or washed away.

Department of Parks and Recreation:

Due to the inclement weather conditions, all Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) classes and field use permits scheduled for tomorrow have been cancelled, as well as the People’s Open Market.

The department will be focusing on clearing tree debris from strong tropical-storm-force winds and ensuring park facilities are safe to reopen on Wednesday.

Residents and visitors should continue monitoring official City and National Weather Service information and sign up for emergency notifications through HNL Alert at HNLAlert.gov.

To receive urgent alerts through text message, text HNLALERT to 888-777.

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