Kauai Travel Blog
The Latest on Hurricane Lane Impacts on the Island of Kauai
8.25.2018 11:00AM HST
National Weather Service reports:
Lane remains a tropical storm this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. As of 11 AM HST, Tropical Storm Lane was located about 145 miles southwest of Honolulu and about 160 miles south of Lihue. Lane is moving to the west at 7 mph.
Lane is expected to continue moving to the west and increase in forward speed through tomorrow. This track will keep Lane south of Kauai and Niihau tonight.
All tropical storms watches and warnings have been discontinued for land areas.
Flash flooding will continue to be a concern through the weekend. Slow moving rain bands continue to impact the islands primarily from Oahu through the Big Island. Lane is expected to produce additional rain of 5 to 10 inches over windward Big Island, and Maui, and 3 to 5 inches elsewhere through the weekend. 20 to 30 inches of rain has already fallen over some parts of windward Big Island, with over 40 inches of rain recorded at a few locations.
A High Surf Advisory remains in effect through today for the south and east facing shores of all islands.
8.24.2018 11:46AM HST
From Instagram:
8.24.2018 11:30AM HST
Hawaii Division of State Parks reports:
Due to the approach of Hurricane Lane, all State Parks on ALL ISLANDS are closed as of Thursday, August 23. State Park Offices on all islands are closed as well.
Camping and lodging in state parks across the state will be cancelled.
8.24.2018 11:00AM HST
National Weather Service reports:
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued and the Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Kauai Leeward, Kauai Mountains, Kauai Windward, and Niihau
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai Leeward, Kauai Mountains, Kauai Windward, and Niihau
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Oahu, Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, Lanai Makai, Lanai Mauka, Leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward, Molokai Windward, Oahu Koolau, Oahu North Shore, Oahu South Shore, Olomana, Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Summits, Kohala, Kona, and South Big Island
STORM INFORMATION:
Location: 19.1N 157.9W
Situation overview
Hurricane Lane is a category 2 storm this afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
As of 11 AM HST, Hurricane Lane was located 150 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii, and 130 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Lane continues to move toward the north at 5 mph.
A slow northward motion is expected to continue through this afternoon. A turn toward the west is anticipated Saturday, with an increase in forward speed. On the latest forecast track, the center of Lane will move over, or dangerously close to portions of the main Hawaiian islands tonight.
Regardless of the hurricane track, life threatening impacts will extend far beyond the center position as this strong hurricane approaches the islands. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane. The close proximity of this hurricane track to the main Hawaiian Islands and the forecast timing of Lane’s turn to the west remains challenging. Be prepared for changes in future forecasts as Lane approaches the islands from the south.
Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane’s center making landfall, there is still an outside chance that it could.
Tropical storm conditions are already occurring on the Big Island, Maui County, and Oahu. These conditions will likely persist through tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected over some areas of Maui County and Oahu starting tonight. Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible on Kauai starting tonight or Saturday.
A slow moving rain band associated with Hurricane Lane continues to affect mainly the eastern half of the island chain at midday. It is likely the band will remain over the islands into the nighttime hours. Heavy rains and flash flooding are still ongoing over the northeast part of the Big Island. Although, rainfall has been rather light on Oahu and Kauai, showers will likely increase in the coming hours as this rain band remains over the area. The potential for excessive rainfall is high, which could lead to life threatening flash flooding, as well as land and mudslides. Flooding will be possible in areas that are typically not prone to flooding. Lane is expected to produce storm total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts of 30 to 40 inches possible over portions of the Hawaiian Islands. Over two feet of rain has already fallen at a few locations on the windward side of the Big Island.
Swells generated by Lane will produce very large and life- threatening surf and dangerous rip currents along exposed west and south facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands. A prolonged period of high surf will likely lead to significant coastal erosion. Surf is expected to continue to increase through this afternoon and peak tonight as Lane passes near the smaller islands.
A High Surf Warning is in effect through tonight for the west facing shores of the Big Island and south facing shores of the remaining islands. Expect surf between 10 to 15 feet along the Kona coast, and 15 to 25 feet along the south facing shores. This warning will likely be extended.
A High Surf Advisory is effect for the east facing shores of all islands at 6 to 10 feet through Saturday.
The combination of storm surge and large breaking waves is expected to raise water levels well above normal tide levels as Hurricane Lane makes its closest approach. This is expected to result in significant beach erosion and overwash onto vulnerable coastal roadways through Saturday as Lane makes its closest approach, particularly for vulnerable low-lying coastal areas during and around the time of the normal high tide cycles. If Hurricane Lane makes landfall, water levels will rise from 2 to 4 feet above normal along south and west facing shores near the center of Lane. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
8.24.2018 12:00AM HST
National Weather Service reports:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kauai Leeward, Kauai Mountains, Kauai Windward, and Niihau
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Oahu, Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, Lanai Makai, Lanai Mauka, Leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward, Molokai Windward, Oahu Koolau, Oahu North Shore, Oahu South Shore, Olomana, Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Summits, Kohala, Kona, and South Big Island
Location: 18.2N 158.0W
Situation overview
Hurricane Lane remains a major category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. As of 11 PM HST, Hurricane Lane was located around 165 miles southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and 215 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii. Lane is moving slowly toward the north around 6 mph. A slow northward motion is expected to continue through the day. A turn toward the west is anticipated Saturday, with an increase in forward speed. On the latest forecast track, the center of Lane will move over, or dangerously close to portions of the main Hawaiian islands later today through Saturday. Regardless of the hurricane track life threatening impacts will extend far beyond the center position of Lane. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity. The close proximity of this hurricane track to the main Hawaiian Islands and the forecast timing of Lane’s turn to the west remains challenging. Be prepared for changes in future forecasts as Lane approaches the islands from the south. Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane’s center making landfall over any of the islands, impacts from a land falling hurricane may still occur.
Tropical storm conditions are already occurring on the Big Island, Maui County and Oahu. These conditions will likely persist through the early morning hours. Hurricane conditions are expected over some areas of Maui County and Oahu starting today and continuing through tonight. Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible on Kauai starting later today or tonight.
Outer rain bands far from the center of Hurricane Lane are already affecting all the main Hawaiian Islands. Widespread heavy rainfall and flash flooding is ongoing over portions of the Big Island. The rain bands will continue to spread northwest through tonight. Excessive rainfall is likely which could result in life threatening flash flooding, as well as landslides and mudslides. Flooding will be possible in areas that are typically not prone to flooding. Lane is expected to produce storm total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts of 30 to 40 inches possible over portions of the Hawaiian Islands. Over two feet of rain has already fallen at a few locations on the windward side of the Big Island.
Swells generated by Lane will produce life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents along exposed coastlines. A prolonged period of high surf will likely lead to significant coastal erosion. Surf is expected to continue to increase through the day today with the peak tonight as Lane passes near the smaller islands. Surf heights for the Big Island are forecast to range from 10 to 15 feet along the southwest facing shores, with 6 to 10 feet for east facing shores. Surf heights for Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County will rise 15 to 25 feet by this afternoon.
The combination of storm surge and large breaking waves is expected to raise water levels well above normal tide levels as Hurricane Lane makes its closest approach. This is expected to result in significant beach erosion and overwash onto vulnerable coastal roadways through Saturday as Lane makes its closest approach, particularly around the time of the normal high tide cycles. Water levels will range from 2 to 4 feet above normal along south and west facing shores near the center of Lane. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Tornadoes and waterspouts will be possible with Lane, mainly along and to the right of the track of the hurricane.
8.23.2018 11:30AM HST
Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports:
Latest projection shows Hurricane Lane veering away from Kauai!
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kauai Leeward, Kauai Mountains, Kauai Windward, and Niihau.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Summits, Central Oahu, Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, Kohala, Kona, Lanai Makai, Lanai Mauka, Leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward, Molokai Windward, Oahu Koolau, Oahu North Shore, Oahu South Shore, Olomana, South Big Island, Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala
STORM INFORMATION:
Location: 17.3N 157.5W
Situation overview
Hurricane Lane remains a major category 4 storm late this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. As of 11 AM HST, Hurricane Lane was located around 200 miles south-southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and 275 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii. Lane is moving toward the northwest at around 7 mph. A slow northward motion is expected to begin this afternoon and continue through Friday. A turn toward the west is expected Saturday and Sunday, with an increase in forward speed. The latest forecast track from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center brings the center of Lane dangerously close to the main Hawaiian Islands Thursday afternoon through Saturday. Regardless of the exact track, life threatening impacts are likely over many areas as this strong hurricane makes its closest approach. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane. Be prepared for changes in future forecasts. Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane’s center making landfall over any of the islands, this could still occur.
The onset of damaging tropical storm-force winds is expected across portions of the Big Island today, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected in some areas by tonight. In Maui County, damaging tropical storm-force winds are expected late today, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected in some areas by Friday. On Oahu, damaging tropical storm force winds are expected to develop late tonight, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected Friday into Friday night. Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible on Kauai on Saturday.
Outer rain bands associated with Hurricane Lane are already affecting all the main Hawaiian Islands. Widespread heavy rainfall and flash flooding is ongoing over portions of the Big Island and Maui. The rain bands will continue to spread northwest through Friday. Excessive rainfall is likely which could result in life threatening flash flooding, as well as landslides and mudslides. Flooding will be possible in areas that are typically not prone to flooding. Storm total rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are expected to be common across the island chain, with localized amounts in excess of 30 inches.
Swells generated by Lane will produce very large life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents along southeast, south and southwest facing shores of all of the Hawaiian islands. Large surf is likely occurring along southeast facing shores on the Big Island. Surf is expected to increase today along southwest facing shores of the Big Island as well as along south and southeast facing shores from Maui County to Kauai County, with the surf becoming extremely large tonight through Saturday. Surf heights as large as 10 to 20 feet are expected along the Kau and Puna coasts of the Big Island, 10 to 15 feet along the Kona coast, and 10 to 20 feet along south and southeast facing coasts from Kauai County to Maui County.
The combination of storm surge and large breaking waves is expected to raise water levels well above normal tide levels as Hurricane Lane makes its closest approach. Water levels could reach 2 to 4 feet above normal along southeast, south and southwest facing shores from Kauai to Maui, as well as southeast, south, southwest and west facing shores of the Big Island, provided that Lane makes landfall. This is expected to result in significant beach erosion and overwash onto vulnerable coastal roadways today through Saturday as Lane makes its closest approach, particularly for vulnerable low-lying coastal areas during and around the time of the normal high tide cycles.
Tornadoes and large waterspouts will be possible with Lane, mainly along and to the right of the track of the hurricane.
8.23.2018 12:00AM HST
National Weather Service reports:
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kauai Leeward, Kauai Mountains, Kauai Windward, and Niihau
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Summits, Central Oahu, Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, Kohala, Kona, Lanai Makai, Lanai Mauka, Leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward, Molokai Windward, Oahu Koolau, Oahu North Shore, Oahu South Shore, Olomana, South Big Island, Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala
STORM INFORMATION:
Location: 16.3N 156.9W
Situation overview
Hurricane Lane remains a major category 4 storm this evening, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. As of 11 PM, Hurricane Lane was located around 235 miles south-southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and 350 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Lane is moving northwestward at around 7 mph. This general motion is expected to continue tonight, with a turn more towards the north expected Thursday through Friday. A turn back toward the west is then expected on Saturday. The latest forecast track from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center brings the center of Lane dangerously close to the Hawaiian Islands during the Thursday through Saturday time frame. Regardless of the exact track of the storm, life threatening impacts are likely over many areas as this strong hurricane makes its closest approach. All individuals in Hawaii are urged not to focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane, and be prepared for adjustments in future forecast updates. Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane’s center making landfall over any of the islands, this could still occur.
The onset of damaging tropical storm-force winds on the Big Island could occur by early Thursday morning, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected in some areas Thursday afternoon or Thursday night. In Maui County, damaging tropical storm-force winds could begin late Thursday, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected Thursday night into Friday. On Oahu, damaging tropical storm force winds could begin as early as late Thursday night, with dangerous hurricane force winds expected Friday into Friday night. Hurricane Warnings may need to be expanded to Kauai County as Lane draws closer.
Outer rain bands and embedded thunderstorms associated with Hurricane Lane, are already producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding on the Big Island. Bands of intense showers and thunderstorms will continue to spread across the other islands from south-southeast to north-northwest tonight through Friday. Excessive rainfall is likely which could result in life threatening flash flooding, as well as landslides and mudslides. Flooding from these heavy rains will also be possible in areas that are typically not prone to flooding. Storm total rainfall amounts greater than 30 inches are possible.
Swells generated by Lane will produce very large and rough surf, with dangerous rip currents along south, southeast and southwest facing shores. Large surf is already occurring along southeast facing shores of the Big Island. Surf is expected to increase later tonight and Thursday along southwest facing shores of the Big Island as well as along south and southeast facing shores from Maui County to Kauai County.
Tornadoes and large waterspouts will be possible with Lane, mainly along and to the right of the track of the hurricane.
8.22.2018 5:40PM HST
Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports:
DANGEROUS HURRICANE LANE TRACKING NORTHWEST AND ON COURSE TO PASS VERY CLOSE TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Major Hurricane Lane is expected to track northwest, then north, toward the Hawaiian Islands on Thursday into Friday. Lane, a category 4 hurricane, is also expected to gradually weaken some but will remain a dangerous system. Hurricane Warnings and Watches are up for the state, while multiple hazards from damaging winds to torrential flash flooding rain to rough surf and storm surge are possible.
8.22.2018 1:15PM HST
Kauai.gov reports:
8.22.2018 12:55PM HST
Captain Andy’s Kauai Boat Tours reports:
8.22.2018 12:46PM HST
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources reports:
Due to the approach of Hurricane Lane, all State Parks on Hawaii Island and Maui/Molokaʻi are closed as of Wednesday, August 22.
Beginning Wednesday night – camping and lodging in state parks across the state (except Kaua‘i) will be cancelled. Overnight use of Kāʻena Point State Park, Oʻahu is suspended until further notice.
Park closures for Oʻahu go into effect Thursday morning.
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside Park, Oʻahu will be closed until further notice to allow removal of previous landslide debris.
Closures for Kaua’i will be announced depending on storm track. Ha‘ena State Park and the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park as far west as Honopu remain closed due to April flood damages.
8.22.2018 12:41PM HST
Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports:
Probable path of the storm center.
8.22.2018 12:25PM HST
Hawaiian Airlines reports:
Hawaiian Airlines is working diligently to respond to guests calling our reservations line, but the high volume of calls has resulted in some long waits for which we apologize. We respectfully ask our guests that if their call is not urgent, or they are inquiring about flights beyond the next 24 hours, that they please consider calling back at a later time.
Please be advised that seats on flights for the next few days remain very limited because of high load factors.
While the path of Hurricane Lane remains uncertain, it will likely impact our flight schedule as it passes the Islands. Please click here for information regarding the status of specific flights.
Effective immediately, guests holding tickets for travel on Hawaiian Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines codeshare flights departing to/from/within/via the State of Hawaii (LIH/HNL/OGG/JHM/MKK/LNY/ITO/KOA), from August 21, 2018 through August 26, 2018 will be permitted a one-time reservation change with waiver of change fee provided that:
– Ticket was issued on/before August 21, 2018
– Affected flight(s) is/are originally scheduled for travel from August 21, 2018 through August 26, 2018
– Changes must be rebooked and ticketed to new flights no later than September 9, 2018
– New travel must commence no later than September 9, 2018
In addition, for changes made to new flights on or before September 9, 2018, any resulting difference in fare(s) will be waived provided that change is made to the same compartment (i.e. Coach to Coach or First Class to First Class) and there is no change in origin and destination. For changes made to new flights after September 9, 2018, the change fee will be waived but applicable difference in fare will be collected.
Changes to origin and/or destination or connecting/stopover point will be permitted without change fee and are subject to applicable fare difference.
Normal refund rules will apply. There will be no waiver of any applicable cancellation fees for refundable tickets and no refunds permitted on non-refundable tickets related to this event.
All changes must be made by calling our U.S. Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320.
8.22.2018 12:19PM HST
NOAA Reports:
The state of Hawaii faces a significant threat from powerful Hurricane Lane, which is expected to track northward toward the islands by the end of this week.
Lane briefly reached Category 5 intensity early Wednesday, with sustained winds of 160 mph, before weakening slightly to a high-end Category 4 storm. The latest National Hurricane Center forecast shows the storm beginning a northward turn, putting Hawaii at risk of significant impacts, including damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and storm surge. On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii’s Big Island and Maui, while hurricane watches are in effect across the rest of the state.
Despite Hawaii’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, very few hurricanes have made landfall in the Aloha State. NOAA’s historical hurricane tracks database shows only a handful of hurricanes passing within a few hundred miles of the islands. A hurricane has not made landfall since Iniki battered the island of Kauai in 1992, while the Big Island has never been struck by a hurricane since modern weather records began. Forecasters are warning residents that even if Hawaii avoids a direct hit from Hurricane Lane, southern parts of the state may still face damaging impacts from the storm.
