NEWS RELEASE: Hawaiʻi National Guard Assists Maui And Kauaʻi Counties With Vital Response Efforts And Recovery Support Following Hurricane Lowell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2026

#2026-012

LĪHUʻE, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi - The Hawaiʻi National Guard (HING) mobilized rapidly to execute operations leading up to and in the wake of Hurricane Lowell. The response, beginning late Monday night, Sept. 7, 2026, included road clearance transportation of vital equipment and personnel, search and recovery, water and food distribution and emergency power support.

"The Hawaiʻi National Guard has lived up to its motto of 'Always Ready, Always There' during its response to Hurricane Lowell," said Governor Josh Green, commander in chief of the HING. "The devastation on Kauaʻi is immense and the road to recovery will be long. The Guard is playing a major part in that recovery by working in lockstep with Mayor Derek Kawakami's administration and the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency to meet residents' needs."

To date, the HING has deployed over 300 active-duty personnel statewide to support emergency operations; each day, it has reinforced Kauaʻi with personnel and equipment from neighboring islands. (Video)

Sept. 8, 2026

• The HING deployed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Oʻahu to Kauaʻi to conduct three critical missions
  • Transported 11 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel to Līhuʻe Airport to facilitate its reopening that afternoon.
  • Conducted aerial awareness assessment with Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) officials to assist with power restoration efforts
  • Conducted aerial scanning of storm-swept terrain for distressed individuals.
• Task Force Maui deployed High Water Vehicle Teams to the flooded Honoapiʻilani Highway in the Olowalu area. Guard members transported four civilians across the inundated roadway and utilized a heavy wrecker to recover a local ambulance stuck in a roadside ditch.

Sept. 9, 2026

• The 93rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P) integrated with the Kauaʻi Fire Department for a land-based search and rescue mission in Hanapēpē for a missing civilian, while a second team conducted wide-area searches and damage assessments in Kōloa and Poʻipū.
• In Kīlauea, HING personnel established a bulk water distribution station using potable water trailers (buffalos) delivering clean water to residents, which is an ongoing operation. (Photos)
• Governor Josh Green, Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan and Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami toured the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Center, inspected severe storm surge damage along Hoʻona Road and visited displaced residents at the Kīlauea Neighborhood Center shelter.
• The HING is conducting damage assessments with Kauaʻi County personnel, which is an ongoing operation.
• HING conducted chainsaw operations to clear trees from choked roadways around Kauaʻi

Sept. 10, 2026

• HING personnel sourced and installed a backup generator for emergency power for a dialysis center in Līhuʻe to support 75 patients.
• HING finished chainsaw operations to clear trees from blocked roadways around Kauaʻi.
• HING air crews conducted a dialysis patient evacuation, coordinating the critical air transport of 12 passengers from Kauaʻi to Oʻahu for lifesaving medical treatments, transferring them directly to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. (Photos)

Sept. 11, 2026

• The HING deployed 10 personnel to support food distribution centers at Hale Līhuʻe, Holy Cross Church and King's Chapel Līhuʻe.
• HING air crews delivered Starlink terminals to Kauaʻi to support communication capabilities after a fire degraded island emergency communication.

Photos and Video B-Roll: Hurricane Lowell

Credit: Hawaiʻi National Guard

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Media Contact:
Retired Maj. Jeffrey D. Hickman
Director, Public Affairs
State of Hawai'i, Department of Defense
Office: 808-441-7000
Direct: 808-779-8008
Email: [email protected]