Supporting our ʻOhana on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi
Our take
The recent impact of Hurricane Lowell across Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature and the resilience required to thrive in our island home. While Lowell ultimately weakened, the fierce winds, torrential rain, and dangerous surf it brought left a trail of damage, particularly on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. Reports of damaged homes, businesses, and roads, alongside widespread power outages, paint a picture of disruption and hardship for many. The situation underscores the vulnerability of island communities to extreme weather events, a reality we at Hanalei Bay Country Club are deeply aware of and committed to addressing through supporting our ʻohana. As we navigate these challenges, it's vital to understand the broader context, including the ongoing effects of climate change and the increasing frequency of such storms. Relatedly, the recent article After 28 inches of rain soaks Hanalei, more likely ahead - Honolulu Star-Advertiser highlights the continued rainfall and potential for further impact in the Hanalei area, demonstrating the prolonged nature of the recovery needed.
The immediate response has been focused on providing essential aid and restoring critical infrastructure. We've been closely following the efforts of KIUC, as detailed in Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage to KIUC System, to repair the power grid and reconnect communities. Beyond the immediate crisis, however, lies a deeper consideration of long-term resilience. The events surrounding Lowell underscore the need for enhanced infrastructure, improved emergency preparedness, and a renewed focus on sustainable practices. It’s a time for reflection on how we, as a community, can better prepare for and mitigate the effects of future storms. The spirit of *aloha* truly shines through in times like these, with neighbors helping neighbors and local organizations stepping up to provide support. This spirit is at the heart of what makes Hawaiʻi so special, and it's what fuels our commitment to supporting those affected.
For those of us who cherish the beauty and tranquility of the North Shore, this event serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between enjoying a luxurious lifestyle and respecting the power of the natural world. The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay, as highlighted in A Taste of the North Shore, offers a glimpse of the exceptional experiences our region provides, but those experiences are inextricably linked to the health and well-being of our communities and environment. Supporting local businesses and organizations, volunteering time, and advocating for responsible development are all crucial steps in ensuring that we can continue to enjoy and preserve the unique character of Hawaiʻi for generations to come. The recovery process will require a collective effort, and we are dedicated to playing our part in rebuilding and strengthening our ʻohana.
Looking ahead, the challenge lies in translating this immediate response into lasting change. How can we integrate climate resilience into every aspect of our operations, from infrastructure planning to resource management? What innovative solutions can we explore to reduce our environmental footprint and protect our precious natural resources? The experience of Hurricane Lowell offers a critical opportunity to re-evaluate our priorities and invest in a more sustainable and resilient future for Hawaiʻi. It's a question we must continually ask ourselves as stewards of this extraordinary place.
Hurricane Lowell brought fierce winds, heavy rain and dangerous surf to Hawaiʻi on Monday night, with Kauaʻi and Niʻihau seeing the most severe impacts. By Tuesday morning, the hurricane had moved west of the Islands, leaving widespread damage in its wake.
On Kauaʻi, homes, businesses and roads were damaged, with power outages reported across the island. Flooding and high stream levels forced the closure of Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge, and portions of Kaumualiʻi Highway were also closed as crews began assessing damage.
On Oʻahu’s Leeward Side, Farrington Highway experienced flooding and debris buildup, and the highway was temporarily closed after high surf washed sand onto the roadway.
Lowell comes just over three weeks after Hurricane Lala brought strong winds, torrential rain and widespread flooding to the Islands before weakening to a tropical storm. Lala passed just south of Hawaiʻi Island as a Category 1 hurricane and caused extensive damage in Kaʻū.
There, flooding and landslides damaged homes and roads and disrupted essential services. At least 100 homes in the district were damaged during Lala and hundreds of property damage reports continue to come in.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched our communities support each other by clearing debris, distributing food and water, delivering supplies, and checking on those most affected by the storms. That’s what we do in Hawaiʻi: In times of trouble, we help our neighbors, local businesses and communities.
The community in Kaʻū continues to recover from Hurricane Lala, and families are still in need of basic supplies and assistance. The Hawaiʻi Mutual Aid Network, a grassroots, volunteer-run organization, helps connect donors with local families affected by Lala—and now Lowell. The organization diligently vets individual fundraisers submitted by affected families and community members and compiles them into a public list.
You can view the organization’s list of verified fundraisers here.
Among the most severely affected local businesses is the Punaluʻu Bake Shop, which was still recovering from Lala when Lowell hit. Since 1991, the beloved bakery has been a destination for locals and visitors alike, famed for its pillowy sweet bread. Known as the southernmost bake shop in the U.S., the bakery welcomes up to 200,000 visitors year.
But Hurricane Lala caused extensive damage to the place, including triggering a landslide that buried the property in debris. As the bakery works toward reopening, a GoFundMe account has been set up to provide direct assistance to its employees and their families. Before Lala, the bakeshop employed more than 50 residents, many of whom had spent decades with the business.
Mahalo to all of the volunteers and organizations working behind the scenes to help Hawai‘i recover. Our support systems make us strong, and the actions of those volunteers and organizations are carrying our communities through difficult times.
Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience