Kauai reopens Haena State Park, but Waimea Canyon and Kokee stay closed after Hurricane Lowell

Hurricane Lowell crossed Kauai and Niihau on 7 September 2026, the strongest storm to hit the island since Iniki in 1992. It cut power to about 90% of the island's 36,000 electricity customers, flooded Poipu's beachfront and blocked north-shore roads with fallen trees; the governor's office counted ten homes destroyed and 67 badly damaged. The Hawaii Tourism Authority reported power more than 80% restored a week later, and on 17 September the County of Kauai declared the island open and asked visitors to come with patience. This is where things stood on 16 October.

State parks

The Division of State Parks reopened Haena State Park on Thursday 15 October after a closure that began on 6 September. Kee Beach, the shuttle and day hikes to Hanakapiai Beach and Falls are back, with winter hours of 7am to 6:45pm. Overnight camping and hiking past the two-mile point of the Kalalau Trail "will remain closed until further notice", and refunds for closure days are taking two to three weeks.

The same release says Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Parks "remain closed until further notice due to extensive damage", and the department's notices page adds that Kokee Road is closed and that "all other Kauai state parks remain closed" to visitation and camping. That includes Polihale. Wailua River State Park partially reopened on 21 September: the river, the landing and the trailhead are open, but the trail to Uluwehi (Secret) Falls is closed and individual kayaks may not enter Fern Grotto. After the April 2018 floods, Haena stayed shut for about 18 months, so no one is promising dates.

Boats and the air

Port Allen's small-boat harbour lost piers and boats, and Kikiaola harbour in Kekaha, where the raft tours leave, was closed after heavy-surf damage, Beat of Hawaii reported in late September. The main Port Allen harbour is accessible again. Holoholo Charters announced on its website that tours resumed on 15 October; Capt Andy's site showed its usual schedules but had published no reopening notice, so call before you book. Helicopter operators flew throughout the recovery from Lihue.

Hotels and restaurants

Hawaii News Now reported on 2 October that storm surge flooded the Sheraton Kauai's lobby, courtyard and fitness centre, and that its booking engine showed no rooms until early December; Kiahuna Plantation lost 17 units, ten of them oceanfront. The Grand Hyatt said it had no structural damage. Ko'a Kea was open on 9 October with its restaurant and pool running but direct beach access disrupted. On the north shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay reopened on 28 September and Hanalei Colony Resort was welcoming guests from mid-October. Merriman's in Poipu reopened on 15 October. The National Tropical Botanical Garden ran tours from its headquarters while the Lawai visitor centre prepared to reopen on 19 October, and Kilohana Plantation, home of Luau Kalamaku and the Koloa Rum tasting room, was repairing storm damage to its train.

What to do about it

Check the state parks' notices page the week you travel, confirm every activity and room directly, and book what you can cancel. Brown-water advisories follow heavy rain and close the swimming for days. Hurricane Nolo's rain in late September showed the season is not over until 30 November. Our Kauai dossier marks every affected place with its status on 16 October and will be updated as parks reopen.