Hawaii Closes Schools, Offices as Hurricane Lowell Nears September 8

Hurricane Lowell forced Hawaii to close all public schools and government offices on Oahu and Kauai County on Tuesday, September 8. Governor Josh Green cited the threat of destructive winds, flash flooding, and damaging surf. The storm was expected to pass near or just west of Niihau late Monday and early Tuesday as a Category 2 hurricane, with some areas bracing for up to 24 inches of rain.

What areas are closing and why

Governor Green ordered closures across Oahu, which has close to 1 million residents, and Kauai County, home to over 73,000 people on Kauai and fewer than 100 on Niihau. Shuttered facilities include all public schools, University of Hawaii campuses, state and county offices, courts, the Honolulu Zoo, and all six city golf courses. Green said the closures would keep people off roads during dangerous conditions and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting communities.

The storm’s expected impact

Hurricane Lowell was forecast to bring damaging winds, mudslides, possible tornadoes, and dangerous rip currents to Hawaii. Kauai could receive as much as 24 inches of rain, while Oahu and Maui were expected to see isolated rainfall totals of 10 to 12 inches. The National Hurricane Center warned of the possibility of several tornadoes near Kauai and Niihau in the evening and overnight.

Dangerous ocean conditions already underway

Wave heights reached 12 to 20 feet on Oahu’s south shore as the storm approached. Honolulu Ocean Safety deployed extra lifeguards on jet skis throughout Oahu’s south and west shores to monitor surfers navigating the heavy waves. Authorities urged the public to use extreme caution, warning that anyone unfamiliar with the waters or lacking advanced experience should stay out of the ocean.

What happens to state employees

State employees affected by the closures were not required to report to their normal worksites and received administrative leave, except for disaster coordinators, disaster response workers, and employees in essential services such as hospitals, corrections, infrastructure support, and food service. A non-emergency city call center opened at 7 p.m. on September 7 at 808-768-CITY for information about storm conditions and emergency shelters.

Final Thoughts

Hurricane Lowell forced Hawaii’s largest population centers offline on September 8 to protect residents from destructive winds, flooding, and dangerous surf. The closures reflect the storm’s serious threat to the islands, with Kauai facing the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds.

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