Hurricane Lowell Threatens Hawaii with Life-Threatening Surf
Hurricane Lowell is bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, threatening the archipelago with life-threatening surf, torrential rainfall and dangerous winds as the powerful storm tracks toward the island chain. The hurricane is expected to pass just west of the major Hawaiian islands by Monday night, bringing hazardous conditions to coastal and inland communities alike.
According to NBC News, the storm reached Category 5 strength overnight Friday with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph before weakening to Category 4 status. As of Saturday, Lowell was located approximately 640 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at 7 mph with sustained winds of 145 mph. The hurricane center’s forecast cone shows the storm passing just west of the archipelago’s major islands, from south to north, on Monday night.
Warnings and Watches in Effect
Officials have issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Kauai County, including the islands of Niihau and Kauai, as well as a Hurricane Watch for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. A Flood Watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands from Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon.
“Just because we’re on the edge of the cone doesn’t mean we’re safe,” John Bravender, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said at a Friday news conference, as reported by NBC News.
Forecasters expect rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches across Kauai, with maximum amounts potentially exceeding 12 inches. Hawaii Island could see 2 to 6 inches with isolated totals up to 10 inches, while Maui may receive 2 to 4 inches with isolated maximums of 8 inches, according to Hawaii News Now.
Life-Threatening Surf and Swell
The storm has already begun generating powerful swells that are reaching Hawaiian shores, creating treacherous conditions for swimmers, surfers and coastal residents. Hawaii News Now reported that waves have reached 12 to 15 feet near Magic Sands on the Kona side of Hawaii Island, prompting closures of some beach parks.
“It comes up real fast and it goes down real fast in direction,” said Ken Suiso, a former lifeguard. “So hurricane swells are very treacherous if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
NOAA meteorologist Ian Morrison warned that conditions will continue to deteriorate as Lowell approaches. “With the added winds on that from a southeast direction, it’s going to be really messy and the size of the waves are going to increase as well,” Morrison told Hawaii News Now. “So that’s going to create a pretty dangerous situation.”
Surf instructors are urging beachgoers to exercise extreme caution. “If you think that it’s big, it is big,” said Edward Fiel, an instructor with Island Fiel Surf. “And if you’re not sure, if you just heard about it, it’s good to ask locals.”
State of Emergency and Preparations
Governor Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation on September 3, covering preparations for Hurricane Lowell, Hurricane Karina, Tropical Storm Marie and any additional storms that could affect the state. According to the Office of the Governor, the proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund, authorizes the activation of Hawaii National Guard units, and allows state agencies to mobilize personnel and equipment more rapidly.
“Our state is still recovering from Lala, and we are not waiting for another storm to get close before preparing,” Green said in the proclamation announcement. “This proclamation gives our agencies and counties the flexibility to move people, equipment and resources quickly so we can protect communities across every island.”
On Kauai, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) has completed tree trimming in high-risk areas and is warning residents to prepare for power outages that could last for days. “We want people to know and anticipate if power does go out, you could be out of power for quite some time,” said Beth Amaro, KIUC member services and communications manager, as reported by Hawaii News Now.
The 2026 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, were officially cancelled as the storm approaches, according to Hawaii News Now. Race organizers cited community preparedness and runner safety as the guiding priorities for the decision.
A State Still Recovering
The approach comes as Hawaii continues to recover from Tropical Storm Lala, which struck in August and left approximately 100,000 residents without power while causing at least one death and extensive flood damage across Oahu and the Big Island, as NBC News reported.
Lowell is also part of an unusually active Pacific hurricane season that has produced 15 named storms to date, according to NBC News. The high number is being boosted by unusually warm ocean waters and a powerful El Nino phenomenon that forecasters predict has a 69% chance of becoming the strongest on record.
Daniel Gilford, a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist at Climate Central, explained that warm ocean water acts as fuel for tropical cyclones. “If we have extra fuel, we can push the accelerator down more and these storms can become more intense as a result,” he told NBC News.
What to Watch For
Lowell is expected to weaken gradually as it encounters increasing wind shear and drier air, but forecasters warn it could still be near major hurricane strength when it makes its closest approach to the western Hawaiian Islands late Monday. The storm’s center is projected to pass 100 to 200 miles west of Niihau, according to The Watchers.
Residents across the state are urged to complete preparations, follow official alerts, and stay away from floodwaters, dangerous surf and other hazardous areas as the storm approaches.