Oahu public schools, state and city offices to close Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell

News admin September 8, 2026 0 Comments

Oahu public schools, state and city offices to close Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green announced major closures for non-essential offices, public schools and University of Hawaii campuses and Judiciary facilities on Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell.

At 5 p.m. Monday, Hurricane Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour. It is now a high-end category 2 hurricane, but winds are still strong enough to cause extensive damage.

Read more: Hurricane warning for Kauai County, tropical storm warning for Oahu as Lowell closes in

On Monday, Green said closures include state offices on Oahu, Kauai County, the City and County of Honolulu, Kauai County offices, judiciary facilities on Oahu and Kauai, as well as public schools and UH campuses on Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

Officials said essential government services and emergency operations will continue.

“Hurricane Lowell is bringing dangerous conditions, including the threat of destructive winds, flash flooding and damaging surf,” Green said. “Closing offices and schools will help keep people off the roads, reduce unnecessary travel and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities. Please remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions.”

State employees affected by the closures should not report to their normal worksites and will be granted administrative leave, except for:

Departmental disaster and emergency coordinators;

County employees should follow instructions from their respective county agencies.

School closures

HIDOE said the closure includes all public schools on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Niʻihau High & Elementary School and department offices on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

All school-related activities in the affected counties scheduled for Tuesday are also canceled, including athletic events and practices, extracurricular activities, meetings and other school events.

HIDOE teams have been preparing school facilities and coordinating with emergency management partners ahead of the storm. Schools and offices will be assessed following the storm to determine when operations can safely resume.

State officials said state and county offices and public schools in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties are expected to remain open Tuesday unless otherwise announced.

Private school students and parents should check with their schools’ administrators for any closure announcements.

Hawaiʻi State Judiciary

State courts and judiciary operations on Oʻahu will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 8, due to Hurricane Lowell, in addition to the previously announced Kauaʻi courthouse and judiciary operations.

All hearings and trials scheduled for Tuesday on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi will be rescheduled. In addition, Chief Justice Vladimir P. Devens will issue court orders to be posted on the Judiciary website extending the deadline for filing documents due Tuesday on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi until Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The public may visit the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary website for updates and information.

The judiciary said parties may also monitor the state’s online public case information system, eCourt Kokua, for the most current information regarding hearings, trials, and case activity.

City and County of Honolulu storm response

City to activate call center at 7 p.m.

The City will activate its non-emergency call center at 7 p.m. today to provide residents and visitors with information and assistance related to Hurricane Lowell.

The public may call 768-CITY (2489) for information about storm conditions, Hurricane Refuge Areas, and other City services and resources.

The call center is for non-emergency information only. For emergencies, call 911.

Hurricane refuge area opens at Nānākuli Elementary

Nānākuli Elementary School, located at 89-778 Haleakala Avenue in Waiʻanae, opened as a Hurricane Refuge Area at 5 p.m. for residents and visitors who need a safe place during the storm.

Residents and visitors who need transportation may use TheBus Routes C or 40 and transfer to Route 403 at Nānākuli Avenue. Regular transit fares apply.

No evacuation orders are in place at this time. Residents should continue monitoring conditions and take action early if they feel unsafe or believe their home may not provide adequate protection.

Road closures and public safety

The Honolulu Police Department has personnel and resources positioned to respond to storm-related impacts across Oahu.

View impacted roads and road closures here.

HPD said it activated its Major Events Division along with its Joint Operations Center to coordinate emergency response efforts.

Camping and outdoor park activities suspended

The Department of Parks and Recreation will suspend all permitted camping and outdoor park activities effective 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

City parks, facilities and botanical gardens will remain open unless weather conditions warrant additional closures.

City services in operation

City refuse services, including Environmental Transfer Stations and Convenience Centers, remain open during normal business hours.

All other city services not affected by the Labor Day holiday will remain operational unless conditions require changes.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and remain in a safe location as conditions deteriorate. Keep phones and backup batteries charged, be prepared for possible power outages, and secure loose outdoor items while it is still safe to do so.

The city will continue monitoring Tropical Storm Lowell throughout the evening and overnight and will provide additional updates as conditions change.

Residents and visitors should sign up for HNL Alert at HNLAlert.gov or text HNLALERT to 888-777 to receive urgent emergency notifications.

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. Do not call 911 for information only. Please keep emergency lines open for those who need immediate assistance.