The beautiful island of Maui was devastated by fires in August of 2023. An estimated 102 people were killed in the lovely, historic city of Lahaina.
In March of this year, powerful rainstorms overpowered communities, especially on Maui and O’ahu, with torrential, record rains.
Now along comes Hurricane Lowell, which did tremendous damage to the island of Kaua’i this week, uprooting entire builidings and wiping out popular spots, including the waterfront restaurant at the lovely Sheraton Hotel/Resort on Po’ipu Beach.
The latest reports show extensive damage in Hanalei town and on the south coast, including Poipu and Waimea, home to the wonderful Waimea Plantation Cottages. I’ve reached out to the cottages public relations person to see if he can offer any details on potential damage.
Published reports at least two people have died as a result of Hurricane Lowell; one on Oahu and one on Kauai. The island of Kauai is in “dire straits,” one local said.
It’s heartbreaking to see this kind of damage happening over and over again to the wonderful people of Hawai’i.
I reached out to Waimea Plantation Cottages and was told they have some put some reservations on hold.
“Waimea Plantation Cottages has sustained some damage to the grounds and to a few of the on-property amenities,” a spokesman told me. “Our team is working around the clock to get the property fully operational again . We are uncertain how long the clean-up will take and have begun the necessary process of cancelling reservations through Friday, September 18th. In addition, we have made the difficult decision to not accept any new reservations for stays until after Friday, September 25th.”
I’ve read that 80% of Kauai residents are without power and that it could take weeks for full power to be restored. The Hawaii governor has reached out to the White House to see if special funds can be provided. Let’s hope politics (Hawai’i isn’t exactly Donald Trump territory) doesn’t get involved, as there are real people with enormous problems.
Waimea Plantation Cottages on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Hawaii tourism officials are suggesting visitors avoid Kauai for now. But they’re asking people not to abandon Hawaii altogether.
“Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawai‘i altogether,” Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, said in a written statement a couple days ago. “Adjusting your itinerary allows you to continue your Hawaiʻi vacation while supporting the state’s broader visitor economy as Kauaʻi recovers.”
Indeed, given how Maui suffered from the fires, adjusting your vacation from Kauai to Maui would be a great option. But so would booking a trip on O’ahu or Hawai’i Big Island, or Lana’i or Molokai.
Like any isolated set of islands in the middle of a vast ocean, Hawai’i has often faced weather issues. But it’s been particularly slammed the last few years. As someone who adores the islands and has visited at least 35 times over the last 58 years, I find it hard to put my feelings into words.
I was on X/Twitter today and saw a message from someone on Kauai asking for words of support, or anything to make them feel better. I honestly didn’t know what to say, except stay strong and rely on your family (or extended family and friends, a community Hawaiians call their “Ohana.”
I’m sure there will be disaster relief funds I can contribute to, and I will. I also can vote with my wallet and choose a Kauai vacation for a time when they’re ready to receive visitors again. Which locals say is definitely not just yet.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem enough.
