Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Hawaii Declares Emergency as Hurricane Lowell Approaches Islands
Hawaii declared an emergency because Hurricane Lowell is moving toward the islands.
The storm was very strong, with winds of 125 miles per hour.
Forecasters expect it to weaken before passing west of Hawaii.
Its center may pass near Niʻihau and Kauai between Monday and Tuesday.
A tropical storm warning is active for those islands.
People may face heavy rain, strong waves and dangerous conditions near the coast.
Lowell is the third storm to threaten Hawaii in a little more than three weeks.
Other storms, including Lala and Moke, recently brought damage or heavy rain.
Several hurricanes forming together in the Pacific is unusual.
Hawaii declared a state of emergency Sunday as Hurricane Lowell approached the islands.
Lowell was a Category 3 hurricane with 125-mile-per-hour winds and was forecast to weaken to Category 2 near Hawaii.
The storm’s center could pass 130 miles west of Niʻihau or 170 miles west of Kauai between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
A tropical storm warning covers Kauai and Niʻihau, with heavy rain, high surf and dangerous coastal conditions expected.
Lowell was the third storm to threaten Hawaii in just over three weeks during an unusually active Pacific hurricane season.
- Who
- Hawaii authorities, residents of Kauai and Niʻihau, and Hurricane Lowell are central to the event.
- What
- Hawaii declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Lowell approached the islands.
- When
- The emergency was declared Sunday; Lowell could affect Hawaii as early as Monday, with its center possibly passing Monday evening through Tuesday morning.
- Where
- The storm is expected to pass west of Hawaii, near Niʻihau and Kauai.
- Why
- Authorities expect possible heavy rain, high surf, strong wind gusts and dangerous coastal conditions.
- Storm status
- Hurricane Lowell was a Category 3 storm early Sunday, with winds of 125 miles per hour.
- Forecast near Hawaii
- Lowell is expected to reach the region as a Category 2 hurricane.
- Projected path
- The center could pass about 130 miles west of Niʻihau or 170 miles west of Kauai.
- Warning area
- A tropical storm warning is in effect for Kauai and Niʻihau.
- Expected hazards
- Heavy rain, high surf, dangerous coastal conditions and wind gusts above 39 miles per hour are possible.
- Recent storm activity
- Lowell is the third storm in just over three weeks to threaten Hawaii.
- Reported prior damage
- Hawaii Governor Josh Green said Hurricane Lala caused at least $43 million in infrastructure damage on the Big Island and $4.6 million in home damage.