Cut off by Hurricane Lowell, Kauai man worries about water for 60 cattle

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Kauai man living on Hawaiian homelands has been stranded since Hurricane Lowell moved through the island Monday, with miles of downed trees blocking the road to his property.

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Eben Manini, 62, has lived in the mauka area between Waimea and Kekaha on West Kauai for about 20 years. He said he has enough food and water for himself, but his biggest concern is how long his water supply will last for his 60 head of cattle.

Even reaching Manini for an interview proved difficult.

He drove and then walked several miles from his cabin to find enough cell service for a FaceTime call. The connection lasted only briefly before cutting out repeatedly, forcing the interview to continue by phone.

“I have two bars here. So at two bars, sometimes I can send photos out, but emails, no way,” Manini said.

Manini recalled the intensity of the storm, describing the sound of branches breaking and his house shaking as strong winds moved through the area.

“The scariest part was, I know we had tornadoes come through because in the midst of the high winds, you still could hear like a boom, boom, boom, boom, boom coming up,” he said.

Now, the road that connects Manini to the outside world is covered with downed trees and debris.

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Manini spent two days using chainsaws and clearing the roadway himself, straining his back while rolling heavy logs.

He said he is OK, but his cattle remain a concern as the road closure continues.

“Eventually I’ll need water for my cattle that are drinking down my storage that I do have,” Manini said.

His son, Joshua Manini, is among those helping clear the roadway to reach him. Joshua shared photos of the road taken Saturday, showing crews and volunteers working through the debris.

Manini said groups including the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, along with volunteers, have cleared an estimated 60 to 70 yards of downed trees.

“They’ve been working on the road and opening up the road to get to my location for the last two days,” Manini said. “My estimation would be at the rate they’re going, maybe another two days before they get to me.”

Until the road is cleared, Manini said he plans to remain at his property, monitor his cattle and wait for crews to reach him.

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