LIVE: Kauai County issues public guidance as Hurricane Lowell nears

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – At 11:30 a.m. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami will hold a press conference as Hurricane Lowell approaches.

Read more ‘Minimize risk’: Gov. Green urges caution as Hurricane Lowell approaches

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green provided a brief update Monday morning as Hurricane Lowell approaches Kauaʻi.

“Everyone should have a very quiet Labor Day, if at all possible, and let’s minimize risk, minimize concerns,” Green said. “We’re going to close schools for Kauaʻi on Tuesday. Kauaʻi will have schools closed, as will the state and county offices.”

All state and Kauai County office, Kauaʻi public schools, Kauaʻi Community College and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities on Kauaʻi are also closed due to the weather.

Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei Bridge has also been closed due to stream level.

“The storm is pretty serious,” Green said. “It has trended a little bit closer to Kauaʻi, so later this afternoon there are 115-miles-per-hour winds, and if you are caught in that windstorm, it’s very dangerous.”

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Green lined up additional resources, such as the Hawaiʻi National Guard, ahead of the storm.

Kauaʻi residents are urged to stay inside and check in with neighbors.

“We’ve put an extra platoon of service members on duty on Kauaʻi, and we’re providing all the extra support possible, but the best thing to do is stay home,” Green said. “Be in touch with your neighbors. Make sure if there are any elderly neighbors that they’re cared for.”

Green is also in communication with Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami and the other mayors in the state to coordinate responses.

“Mayor Kawakami and his team are fully positioned on Kauaʻi for a response, as are all the other mayors,” Green said. “Let’s look out for one another, but this storm is serious.”

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