Home / Disasters and Accidents / Kaua'i Spirit: Neighbors Rise After Hurricane Lowell
Kaua'i Spirit: Neighbors Rise After Hurricane Lowell
9 Oct
Summary
- Residents used personal equipment to clear roads and help neighbors.
- Hurricane Lowell damaged homes and cut power for nearly three weeks.
- Community culture emphasizes mutual care and self-reliance post-disaster.
Hurricane Lowell recently impacted Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, causing widespread power outages for approximately 90% of the island's residents and significant flood and storm surge damage. Many homes suffered roof damage, with at least 10 destroyed and 67 severely damaged, according to the governor's office. The community's response, however, highlighted a deep-seated culture of mutual support and self-reliance, often learned from past severe weather events.
In areas like Hā'ena and Kekaha, residents immediately took to clearing debris with their own machinery, organizing meal deliveries, and checking on neighbors. These efforts were sustained for weeks, even as additional storm systems passed nearby. This proactive community spirit, rooted in Hawaiian culture's emphasis on 'mālama' (care) and 'ohana' (family), ensured essential services and aid reached those in need.
The island's response reflects a learned preparedness, particularly after the 2018 storms that disrupted access to the North Shore. Community hubs were established to distribute vital supplies like ice, gas, and food. This self-driven recovery effort has persisted while federal aid, including significant household and individual assistance approved for earlier storms, is processed, underscoring the community's commitment to helping each other with the phrase 'kōkua aku, kōkua mai'—help others, and help will be given to you.
