Hurricane Lowell strikes overnight, Oahu and Kauai schools, government buildings closed today, Hawaii County short-term rental registration goes into effect, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s western islands hit by fierce winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Lowell. Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell were pelting Hawaii’s western islands in the overnight hours Tuesday, bringing the threat of floods, mudslides and tornadoes. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Hurricane Lowell barrels past Kauai and Niihau as Cat 2 late Monday night.  Hawaiʻi Weather, Shelters, Map + More. Schools on Kaua‘i, Niʻihau and O‘ahu are closing Tuesday as Hawai‘i waits for Lowell to pass. Thousands on Kauaʻi are without power. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Public schools and University of Hawaii campuses on Oahu and Kauai, state and city offices closed Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Near-record rains hit state last month. Last month ranks as the second wettest August in more than a century, according to the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal’s monthly report. The state received 210% more rainfall than is typical for August. Most of that came from Hurricane Lala, which dumped an average of 11 inches of rain across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian Benefits Face Sweeping Legal Attacks. Conservative groups and the Trump administration have taken aim at programs supporters say are foundational to making amends for Hawaiʻi’s history. Civil Beat.

‘Kick In The Face’: Hawaiʻi’s $2M Business Registration System Slammed. The Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ new, $2.1 million “Business Express” registration system is causing what users describe as interminable delays in processing documents needed to start and operate businesses. Processes that previously might take a few days are taking weeks or months.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu residents urged to stay home until Lowell passes. City officials urged Oahu residents Monday night to stay home and take precautions as Hurricane Lowell was bearing down about 200 miles west of the island, with the worst impacts expected into early today. Star-Advertiser.

High surf from Hurricane Lowell inundates Makaha condominium complex. High surf from Hurricane Lowell has inundated coastal areas on Oʻahu’s leeward coast, forcing the closure of Farrington Highway and flooding ground-floor residential units in Mākaha. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lowell generates massive 20-foot swells on Oahu’s south shore. Massive, messy swells generated by Hurricane Lowell battered Oʻahu’s south shore Monday, drawing out experienced surfers and prompting warnings from emergency officials. Hawaii News Now.

Accused Of Violating Patients, A Hawaiʻi Doctor Still Practices. Nine women accused Dr. Gregory Yim of performing unnecessary breast exams that violated their sense of trust. The Hawaiʻi Medical Board has taken no action. Civil Beat.

Southwest Airlines plans premium airport lounge in Honolulu. Southwest Airlines plans premium airport lounge in Honolulu. Southwest Airlines will open premium airport lounges across the country starting late next year, a major shift for a carrier famous for catering to budget travelers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Transient vacation rental registration takes effect. Beginning Sept. 1, 2026, owners of both hosted and un-hosted transient vacation rentals (TVRs) — defined as rentals of 180 days or less — are required to register their properties with the county through an online portal. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Tennis Courts Project Complete, Online Reservation System Introduced. A project to improve the Lincoln Park Tennis Courts in Hilo has been completed, and now the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation is implementing an online reservation system to use the courts. Big Island Video News.

Salvation Army seeks donations as Hawaii Island pantries face high demand. The Salvation Army’s Hilo, Honokaa and Kona corps have reported shortages of food staples as they continue weekly distributions. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

No Water, And No End In Sight: A Big Island Condo Copes With Lala. Roaring runoff from the hurricane wiped out a privately run water system serving about 100 homes.It has been more than three weeks since flooding from Hurricane Lala rampaged through the condominiums called Colony I at Sea Mountain in Kaʻū, wiping out the complex’s water, sewer and electrical service.  Power has been restored, but the privately operated water and sewer systems that serve the complex were heavily damaged in the storm. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui County home, condominium prices decrease in August. The price of single-family house resales in Maui County decreased by 7.9% in August compared to the same month in 2025, according to the association. The median sales price in August was $1,200,000, compared to $1,302,500 in August 2025. The median price of condominium sales dropped by 13.1%, decreasing from $650,000 in August, 2025 to $564,950. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai urges residents to shelter in place as Hurricane Lowell hits. The county has opened five “hurricane refuge” areas: Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Kapaa Middle School, Kauai High School, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and Waimea Canyon Middle School. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation statewide stream cleanups roundup: Kaua‘i. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation notifies the public about statewide stream cleanup work to clear accumulation of debris, sediment and brush in an effort to improve drainage and waterflow through stream systems to prevent future flooding. Kauai Now.

Tropical depression expected to become Tropical Storm Moke later today south of the islands, nation's first coral reef insurance program pays for rehabilitation, another endangered monk seal dies off Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Governor Urges Vigilance Days After Lala. With two more storms developing, emergency workers are rushing to prepare. Hawaiʻi could be facing what Gov. Josh Green called a “trifecta” of storms in the days ahead as Tropical Depression Two-C and yet another less developed weather system approach the islands on the heels of Hurricane Lala. The governor urged residents on Thursday to restock supplies and prepare. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

NOAA 5 a.m. update: At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC) Friday, Aug. 21, the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 146.0 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h). This general motion is expected to persist over the next several days, with the center of the system passing south of the Big Island of Hawaii this weekend, then the smaller main Hawaiian Islands by early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast over the couple of days, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today. National Hurricane Center.

Lala Triggers Nation’s First Coral Insurance Payment. The unusual policy was created in 2022, and the wind speed brought by Hurricane Lala has triggered a $200,000 payment that will go toward assessing and repairing the reef. Civil Beat.
 
Hurricane Lala brought 1.3 trillion gallons of water to Hawaii. Hurricane Lala brought in 1.3 trillion gallons of water to the state, equivalent to almost two million Olympic-sized pools. Researchers from the University of Hawaii said that while Lala never made landfall, its close pass brought average statewide rainfall of 11.4 inches. KHON2.

Here's some best practices to verify hurricane relief fundraisers. Hundreds of GoFundMe pages have been launched for Hawaiʻi families to help with hurricane relief, and officials are urging residents to double-check their donations are going to verified fundraisers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates drop across the board. For measles, mumps, and rubella, Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates fell from 90.1% in 2024-25 to 89.3% in 2025-26. For diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), vaccination rates fell from 92.0% to 88.8%. The target rate for herd immunity is 95%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

NOAA confirms death of another monk seal on Oahu. NOAA said his death marks the fourth Hawaiian monk seal death on Oahu this year. Earlier this month, a monk seal pup identified as RV36 was found dead, entangled  Opens in a new tabin an unattended fishing net near Mokuleia Beach Park. Two other seals, named ‘Umi‘umi and Ka‘ale, have died from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Joint hearing slated for 2 Honolulu City Council election challenges. The Hawaii Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Tuesday in two cases contesting recent Hawaii primary election results for a Honolulu City Council seat held by Tommy Waters. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens Of Hawaiʻi’s Mentally Ill Inmates To Move to Waiawa Prison. Experts say some inmates at Hālawa don’t need to be in the restrictive setting of a medium-security prison, and the setting at Waiawa will be more therapeutic. Civil Beat.

Historic Podmore building in Downtown Honolulu sold for $2.6M. International architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firm ESC Pacific acquired the property in a privately negotiated and off-market transaction.  Aloha State Daily.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close ahead of approaching new tropical cyclone. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including its Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū, will temporarily close by 5 p.m. today (Aug. 21) ahead of a new storm system that could again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Aug. 22. The park remains without power, internet or phone service. Big Island Now.

Recovery efforts continue at Ka‘u schools. The state Department of Education continues recovery and planning efforts for Na‘alehu Elementary School and Ka‘u High &Pahala Elementary School following “significant impacts” from Hurricane Lala. The schools remain temporarily closed to students and staff. Tribune-Herald.

Multi-agency effort underway to recover and protect burials displaced by Lala. Hawaii County officials on Thursday said they are coordinating with experts and cultural practitioners to ensure the proper recovery and protection of burials displaced by flooding from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Emergency Wi-Fi available for Hana residents. Three local organizations have pooled their resources to set up a free Wi-Fi network to help East Maui residents maintain access to internet connectivity, communication and online resources following Tropical Storm Lala. Maui News.

Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed, Kīpahulu District reopens after Lala. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed through the weekend for storm recovery, including road clearing and facility restoration. It will reopen once conditions are safe. Maui Now.

Kauai

Post-Lala recovery drives bring urgent call for blood, food donations on Kauaʻi. In the wake of Hurricane Lala, Kauaʻi residents are urged to bolster community resilience by donating blood and supporting the annual Food Drive Day.  Kauai Now.