One week after Hurricane Lowell, Kauai reports progress on power, school reopenings

LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – One week after Hurricane Lowell hit Kauai, most schools reopened Monday, though about 18% of the island remains without power. Kauai County said the number of resident-submitted damage assessments has surpassed 590.

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Power restoration efforts continue

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said power has been restored to about 82% of the island. Pocket outages remain in portions of Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue, Poipu, Koloa, Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Kaumakani and Waimea. Kokee is without power, and the North Shore from Moloaa to Haena has no power.

Teams have isolated a section of the transmission line from Princeville to Wainiha so crews can make repairs while simultaneously energizing surrounding areas.

“We’re very optimistic because there has been progress made that that’ll probably be in the in the Princeville area, possibly to follow right after that would be some folks in Kilauea and Hanalei, but the most challenging is going to be at the end of the road. Basically, Wainiha and Ha’ena, that’ll be the biggest challenge,” said Beth Amaro, KIUC new member services and communication manager.

“It’s probably more like weeks, maybe a few weeks, possibly better than that. I would think in the next two days or so, we will have much better information,” she said.

Fire closes Lihue Civic Center services

All in-person and counter services at the Lihue Civic Center are closed through Friday after a fire gutted the Kapule Building. The fire damaged critical IT systems, impacting transactions, records and phone lines. Temporary systems are being developed.

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Mayor Derek Kawakami said county workers based in the Kapule Building are working at alternative sites or teleworking.

“So our DMV, and when I say DMV, I’m kind of being broad with it caught on fire and our IT infrastructure is all in the basement and that building is houses our planning department, real property tax, finance, treasury. So if you call the county of Kauai, you’re not going to get through because it’s burnt down,” said Kawakami.

Kawakami suggested people go to KauaiRecovers.org or call 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833 to reach someone.

Governor discusses recovery timeline

Governor Josh Green spoke with HNN on Monday about Kauai’s recovery.

“By the end of September, I have to tell you, we will be unbelievably recovered,” Green said.

“I would expect that we will be 90 to 95% restored as far as the overall recovery in just a week or two but it can’t happen fast enough,” he added.

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Hanalei Elementary is set to reopen Friday.