In Hurricane Lowell’s wake, Kauai is finding widespread damage.

Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds, heavy rain and high surf as it passed west of the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niihau early Tuesday. At least two people have died in connection with Lowell, including a man on Kauai, believed to have died in the storm surge, and a man on Oahu who died due to a fallen tree. County officials said they have been in contact with Niihau, a private island with fewer than 100 residents, and the island has made no requests for assistance.

Kauai is still assessing the damage. Downed trees, debris and widespread outages were reported across the island, and over 15,000 Kauai electricity customers remained without power Wednesday.

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Around the island, the storm damaged homes, pushed large rocks and boulders onto highways and beaches, and destroyed several boats at the Port Allen small boat harbor. The Waimea Pier was ripped apart, with much of its structure washed away. 

FILE: People walk past damage caused by Hurricane Lowell on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Poipu on Kauai.

One of the island’s hardest-hit areas was the South Shore, where surf severely damaged oceanfront homes near Baby Beach in Poipu. One witness estimated five or six homes on a single street had been destroyed.

“The whole community is just in dire straits. Honestly, it’s crazy down here,” Riptides Shave Ice & Snacks owner Mindy Hibbitt told SFGATE.

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Beachfront hotels and businesses were also hit hard. Photos and videos showed damage to the Sheraton Kauai Resort, Koa........

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