Island getaway hit with urgent warning as hurricane damage leaves travelers without power
Derek Kawakami, mayor of Kaua'i, says the Hawaiian island is still digging itself out of the mud after Hurricane Lowell and discourages tourists from visiting.
Tourists are being urged to hold off on visiting a scenic Hawaiian island as it continues to recover from a devastating hurricane.
Kaua'i, one of Hawaii's westernmost islands, was battered by Hurricane Lowell on Sept. 7 and 8, which brought severe winds, heavy rain and widespread power outages.
As of Monday, the island was still recovering, with electricity restored to about 82% of customers, according to Kaua'i County officials.
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Speaking to reporters just a few days ago, Kaua'i County Mayor Derek Kawakami discouraged tourists from visiting and said the island was still digging itself "out of the mud."
The mayor added that Kaua'i would "gladly welcome" tourists once the island "recover[s] to a point where we can handle more capacity coming in," according to Kaua'i Now News.
"We are going to recover faster than I think we anticipated," he added, though he did not specify when the island might be ready to welcome visitors back.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) also posted an advisory late last week asking visitors to reconsider their trips.
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"As the island focuses its resources on immediate needs, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority encourages travelers with upcoming Kaua'i plans to reschedule or consider visiting another Hawaiian island instead of canceling their trip," the organization stated.
"Travelers who are rescheduling should check directly with their airline, accommodations, and other travel providers for updated options."
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Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Kawakami's office for comment.
Also known as the Garden Island, Kaua'i is the fourth largest of Hawaii's main islands.
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The island received nearly 1.42 million visitors in 2025, according to Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT).
The tourist destination is known for its picturesque landscape and coastline, including Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay.
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Hawaii's tourism industry has faced a series of natural hazards this year.
Earlier this year, Hawaii health officials issued brown water advisories across multiple islands after a storm brought heavy rain and contaminated runoff.
In January, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted, leading officials at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to warn visitors about heavy traffic, crowds and potential hazards.