Kauaʻi Hurricane Lowell Recovery Resources
Resources for residents, farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses and small businesses affected by Hurricane Lowell
Updated September 24, 2026
Hurricane Lowell impacted homes, farms, businesses, roads, utilities and livelihoods across Kauaʻi. As our community continues the work of cleaning up and rebuilding, we’ve gathered resources that may help residents and local businesses navigate the recovery process.
We will continue updating this page as new assistance becomes available. Please check directly with each organization for current eligibility, deadlines, hours and availability.
START HERE: Kauaʻi Recovers
Kauaʻi’s official Hurricane Lowell recovery hub
The County of Kauaʻi has created Kauaʻi Recovers as the central source for recovery information. It includes:
- How to report residential, business, farm and ranch damage
- Assistance and disaster recovery resources
- Insurance information
- Volunteer and community assistance
- Recovery updates
- Food and other essential resources
- Information about debris and cleanup
IF YOU NEED HELP NOW
Call 211
Aloha United Way 211 can connect Kauaʻi residents with available disaster recovery resources, including:
- Housing assistance
- Food and basic necessities
- Financial assistance
- Disaster case management
- Cleanup and recovery assistance
- Other community resources
Dial 211
Kauaʻi County is also using 211 to connect people who need help cleaning up Hurricane Lowell damage with community volunteers and relief organizations. Cleanup assistance may include trees, debris and muck-out work. Availability depends on volunteer capacity.
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS
In-person assistance
Kauaʻi currently has Hurricane Lowell recovery resource centers where residents can meet with government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
North Shore
Hanalei Neighborhood Center
5-5358 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei
South Shore
Kōloa Neighborhood Center
3461B Weliweli Road, Kōloa
Current hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
The centers can help residents navigate recovery resources, including assistance with unemployment insurance and SNAP benefits. The Hanalei Initiative also provides an hourly shuttle from the Hanalei Colony Resort in Wainiha to the Hanalei recovery center.
FOR FARMERS & RANCHERS
Agricultural operations may have experienced damage to crops, fields, fencing, irrigation, structures, equipment, livestock areas and other infrastructure.
USDA Farm Service Agency — Emergency Conservation Program
The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) assistance for qualifying Hurricane Lowell damage in Kauaʻi County.
ECP may provide cost-share and technical assistance to help eligible agricultural producers restore farmland and address qualifying disaster damage.
Hurricane Lowell damage period: September 6–9, 2026
Application period: September 16–November 13, 2026
Important:
Contact the USDA Farm Service Agency before beginning major restoration work if you are seeking ECP assistance. USDA advises producers to contact the office before starting restoration activities.
USDA Farm Service Agency — Kauaʻi County
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers recovering from natural disasters.
Assistance may address damage involving:
- Agricultural land
- Conservation practices
- Farm infrastructure
- Livestock operations
- Erosion and land damage
- Other conservation-related impacts
USDA encourages affected producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and discuss available programs.
USDA NRCS — Pacific Islands Area
Document your farm damage
Before cleanup changes the evidence of damage, take photographs and keep records of:
- Damaged crops
- Fallen trees and wind damage
- Flooding and erosion
- Damaged irrigation systems
- Fences
- Greenhouses and other structures
- Equipment
- Livestock facilities
- Lost or damaged inventory
- Cleanup and repair expenses
- Receipts and invoices
Keep copies of photographs, estimates, receipts and other documentation.
Also report agricultural damage through the County’s Business/Farm/Ranch Damage Report.
Report Hurricane Lowell Damage through Kauaʻi County
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES
If your business lost inventory, equipment, revenue or operating time because of Hurricane Lowell, there may be assistance available as recovery programs develop.
Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center
The Hawaiʻi SBDC provides no-cost business advising and can help businesses work through:
- Assessing losses
- Cash-flow problems
- Financing options
- Recovery planning
- Disaster assistance applications
- SBA programs, when available
Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce
The Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce is another local source for business recovery information, community connections and updates on assistance programs.
Kauaʻi Economic Development
The County’s Office of Economic Development provides information and resources for Kauaʻi businesses, agricultural producers and the local economy.
Kauaʻi Office of Economic Development
FOR HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS
Report your damage
Even if you are not sure whether you qualify for assistance, document and report your damage.
The County is collecting damage assessments to help establish the extent of Hurricane Lowell’s impact and connect residents with available recovery resources.
Report Residential Hurricane Lowell Damage
Take photographs and keep records of:
- Structural damage
- Roof damage
- Flooding
- Fallen trees
- Damaged vehicles
- Damaged personal property
- Lost appliances or equipment
- Cleanup and repair costs
Insurance claims
The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division has published a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide to help residents document damage and navigate the claims process.
Kauaʻi Recovers recommends beginning necessary emergency repairs after documenting the damage.
Post-Disaster Insurance Information
FOOD & BASIC NEEDS
Emergency food distributions and other assistance continue to be organized throughout the island.
The County’s recovery site and Mālama Kauaʻi’s Hurricane Resource Hub provide current information about food distributions and other community assistance.
Mālama Kauaʻi Hurricane Resource Hub
You can also dial 211 for assistance locating food and other essential resources.
SNAP BENEFITS & LOST FOOD
Households receiving SNAP benefits may qualify for replacement benefits for food lost because of Hurricane Lowell-related power outages.
For Kauaʻi County, the current reporting waiver is in effect through October 8, 2026.
For current eligibility and instructions:
Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services
EMPLOYMENT & LOST INCOME
If Hurricane Lowell affected your ability to work or caused a loss of employment or income, assistance may be available through the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
DLIR staff have been providing in-person assistance at the Hanalei and Kōloa recovery centers.
Hawaiʻi Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
CLEANUP & DEBRIS
If you need help with storm cleanup, call 211.
Kauaʻi County is coordinating volunteer assistance for trees, debris and muck-out work. Services are free when volunteers are available, although demand is currently high.
Before disposing of damaged materials, check current County guidance regarding:
- Green waste
- Household debris
- Appliances
- Scrap metal
- Hazardous materials
- Construction debris
Current Kauaʻi County debris information
MENTAL HEALTH & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Disasters don’t end when the rain stops. Stress, grief, exhaustion and anxiety can continue long after the immediate emergency.
If you or someone in your ʻohana needs emotional support:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
Additional Kauaʻi mental health resources are available through the State and local recovery organizations.
Kauaʻi Mental Health Connection
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Recovery will take time, and there are many ways to support our neighbors.
Shop local
When businesses and farms reopen, consider buying directly from Kauaʻi businesses and producers.
Volunteer
Mālama Kauaʻi coordinates volunteers and skilled teams for disaster recovery projects.
Donate
Mālama Kauaʻi is coordinating direct relief and community recovery efforts for people whose homes and farms were significantly damaged.
Offer skills or equipment
People with specialized skills, tools, vehicles or equipment can register to assist with recovery projects through local volunteer networks.
A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Document before you clean.
Take photographs and video of damage before removing or repairing anything, whenever it is safe to do so.
Keep your receipts.
Save receipts and records for cleanup, repairs, temporary housing, equipment rental and other disaster-related expenses.
Report your losses.
Even if you don’t know whether you qualify for assistance, reporting damage helps agencies understand the scope of the disaster.
Be careful with damaged trees.
Storm-damaged trees and limbs can remain unstable long after the storm has passed. Use qualified professionals for hazardous trees whenever possible.
Watch for scams.
Be cautious of unsolicited contractors or people requesting payment before providing services. Verify licenses and get written estimates.
Recovery information changes.
Programs, deadlines, locations and eligibility requirements can change quickly. Always confirm current information directly with the agency before applying or traveling to a resource center.
Kauaʻi, we’re in this together.
At Garden Ponds Kauaʻi, we are continuing to work toward recovery ourselves while doing what we can to help our community.
We know many families, farms and local businesses are facing a long road ahead. We hope this page makes it a little easier to find the help, information and connections you need.
If you know of an important Hurricane Lowell resource that should be added to this page, please let us know.