Gov. Green warns Hurricane Lowell damage on Kauai will exceed $400M

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green traveled to Kauai on Wednesday to tour the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Lowell, saying the state’s top priority is restoring electrical power to the island.

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Roughly 84% of Kauai remains without power, Green said, noting that while some residents will see their power return within days, residents in the most isolated areas of the island could wait up to a month for electricity to be restored.

“KIUC (the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative) is going to have every resource we could possibly muster to bring over here to accelerate that,” Green said.

“We’re trying to move everything to the faster side to get power restored so people can start having their refrigerators back up so they can start living in their homes again,” he added. “Our hearts are with them because everyone suffered so much.”

Green said the state will provide hotel rooms or vacation rental spaces for residents who can’t get power back quickly or who are in a “traumatic space.”

Watch his full interview:

Debris clearance, emergency support underway

Restoration efforts are being hindered by heavy debris, including downed trees and brush, which must be removed before workers can put up new utility poles.

While the central portion of the island appears mostly untouched, Green reported that the southern and northern shorelines suffered significant damage.

The governor said crews and equipment are being brought to the island to expedite cleanup and repairs, including equipment from Hawaii Island, where power has been restored to all but 27 properties.

Crews from California Edison and Hawaiian Electric are supporting local utility teams, and additional Department of Transportation crews are assisting with debris removal, he said.

“(Power restoration) can go a lot faster, but it takes removing that debris before we put the power back on,” Green said.

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Search and rescue, damage assessments begin

Green said initial damage estimates indicate the storm will cost more than $400 million, exceeding the damage from Hurricane Lala.

To offset these costs, he has contacted the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite a major disaster declaration, which typically covers 75% of disaster costs.

No fatalities have been reported on Kauai, Green said, though the Coast Guard is searching for a person who was reported missing.

Green said a man was saved by his son and medics, and is currently recovering at Wilcox Medical Center.

One storm-related fatality was previously confirmed on Oahu, where a tree fell onto a tent.

“A lot of times you would see dozens of fatalities with a storm like this. I think that’s testament to how people prepared and they took it seriously,” Green said.

While hospitals on Kauai are currently operating on generator power, state officials confirmed that both the harbor and airport have reopened to allow food and supplies to be shipped in.

Green urged residents to seek help if necessary and continue to practice caution in the wake of the storm. “Don’t take any risks. Don’t be on the road if you don’t need to,” he said. “Tuck in with your family and friends and clean things up.”

“We’re going to work around the clock to get people their power back and their lives back,” he said.

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