Hurricane Lowell: what a Kauaʻi business can claim, file, and do this week

Every program, deadline, and step, from the agencies themselves, marked declared, pending, or not yet available. Free. Reply to micah@hawaiiintelligence.com if you want help organizing a claim or application; there is no charge for that this month.

Hawaii Intelligence · Shaping better business for Hawaiʻi · Version 1, 2026-09-14

For owners of Kauaʻi restaurants, tour companies, contractors, shops, farms, and professional offices. Each fact is dated and linked. Labels: DECLARED (in force), PENDING (requested, not approved), NOT YET AVAILABLE (nothing announced). Information only, not legal, tax, insurance, or financial advice.

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1. Where things stand today

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• The storm. Lowell passed west of Kauaʻi the night of Sept 7–8: gusts of 87 mph at Nāwiliwili and 84 mph at Līhuʻe; 33,000 of KIUC's 36,000 accounts (90%) lost power (Kauai Now, Sept 9). Rain reached 17 inches at higher elevations with 2–4 ft of surge on the south and west coasts (Maui Now, Sept 14). At least two deaths are linked to Lowell, one on Kauaʻi (weather.com, Sept 10). Gov. Green says Kauaʻi damage will exceed $400 million (HNN, Sept 9).
• State emergency: DECLARED. Gov. Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation Sept 3; the relief period runs through Nov 1, 2026 and streamlines procurement, permitting, and repair processes for emergency work (Maui Now, Sept 3). Mayor Kawakami signed a county proclamation (Kauai Now, Sept 6).
• Federal Major Disaster Declaration: PENDING. On Sept 9 the governor asked the President for an expedited declaration for Kauaʻi and Maui counties, without waiting for the usual damage assessment: Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, SBA physical and economic injury loans, and direct federal help with power and cargo (Kauai Now, Sept 9). The four-member congressional delegation urged approval in a Sept 13 letter (Star-Advertiser, Sept 14). FEMA's Hawaiʻi list shows the newest declaration is DR-4936 (May 22 earthquake, declared Sept 1); there is no Lowell number yet (FEMA). Lala got only a Hawaiʻi County Emergency Declaration on Aug 25 (FEMA); its major-disaster request is also pending.
• What approval unlocks. Individual Assistance opens household grants and Disaster Unemployment Assistance; Public Assistance rebuilds public infrastructure; only the President decides (FEMA). SBA business loans usually follow (Section 2).
• Power. 81% of KIUC members restored Monday morning; 6,900 still out; 13 of 16 transmission lines up; 250 line workers this week; no full-restoration date (County, Sept 14; KIUC).
• Access. Līhuʻe Airport fully open; Nāwiliwili open to cargo; Port Allen commercial harbor operating; Kūhiō Hwy Princeville–Keʻe local traffic only (County, Sept 14). Port Allen, Kikiaola, and Kukuiʻula small-boat harbors are closed until further notice (Beat of Hawaii, Sept 14). No curfew appears in county releases Sept 12–14.
• County services. A fire at the Kāpule Building closed in-person Līhuʻe Civic Center services through Fri Sept 18 (Building, Planning, DMV, property tax); questions to KEMA 808-726-0702 (County, Sept 13). Two county resource centers open Tue Sept 15, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., at Hanalei and Kōloa Neighborhood Centers, with nonprofit and agency staff (County, Sept 14).
• Report your damage. Businesses, farms, ranches: bit.ly/lowelldamage; residences: bit.ly/kauaidamage; hub kauairecovers.org (County, Sept 12). These reports feed the damage count behind the federal request.

2. Money

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

FEMA: PENDING. FEMA's Individuals and Households Program pays households for housing and other uninsured needs; it is not a business program, and FEMA sends business losses to the SBA (FEMA IHP; FEMA/SBA). Nothing is open until a declaration with Individual Assistance is approved.

SBA disaster loans: NOT YET AVAILABLE for Lowell. Terms once declared (SBA; SBA EIDL):

• *Business Physical Disaster Loan:* up to $2 million for real estate, equipment, inventory, fixtures; any size business and private nonprofits; up to 20% more for mitigation.
• *Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL):* up to $2 million working capital (rent, utilities, fixed debt) for small businesses, ag co-ops, most nonprofits; no physical damage required; you can hold both.
• *Rates and terms:* fixed, not over 4% if you can't get credit elsewhere (up to 8% if you can); up to 30 years; first payment and interest deferred 12 months; no prepayment penalty.
• *Apply:* lending.sba.gov/search-disaster, 800-659-2955, disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Deadlines are set in SBA's notice; in Hawaiʻi's April 2026 storm declaration both deadlines were June 14 with a 60-day grace period (SBA, May 28).
• *Documents to gather now:* SBA Form 5, IRS 4506-T, latest business and personal returns, year-to-date P&L and balance sheet, personal financial statement (413D), schedule of liabilities (2202), ID, EIN (USA.gov).
• *Free help:* Hawaiʻi SBDC advises on SBA applications at no cost; Kauaʻi Center, 2970 Kele St #101, 808-241-3148 (SBDC; Kauaʻi Center).

State and county. No state business grant or loan for Lowell has been announced (DBEDT: NOT YET AVAILABLE). County: storm-debris tipping fees waived at Kekaha Landfill and transfer stations, commercial loads included (Garden Island, Sept 10); Office of Economic Development business specialist Mark Aqui, 808-241-4948 (County OED).

Relief funds (grants go to organizations, not directly to businesses unless noted).

• Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Stronger Hawaiʻi Initiative deployed $265,000 on Sept 10, including KEDB $40,000 (emergency supplies, commercial ice), Mālama Kauaʻi $50,000 (farm and ranch losses: infrastructure, equipment, crops, livestock), Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi $100,000, Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank $25,000 (Kauai Now, Sept 10). Mālama Kauaʻi is issuing gift cards up to $2,000 per affected household, homes and farms (HNN, Sept 12).
• OHA approved $362,800 for verified Native Hawaiian households on Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, and West Oʻahu; application details pending at oha.org (Kauai Now, Sept 11).
• Kauaʻi United Way opened a Hurricane Lowell Relief fund (Civil Beat). Referrals: 211.

Banks and credit unions.

• First Hawaiian: Kapaʻa, Kōloa, Līhuʻe, Waimea open; Princeville closed. Online deferral-request form; keep paying until terms are confirmed in writing; 888-844-4444 (FHB).
• Bank of Hawaiʻi: Līhuʻe, ʻEleʻele, Kapaʻa open 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Princeville closed (Kauai Now, Sept 14). Its relief page lists only Maui programs (BOH).
• Central Pacific: no Lowell relief program posted (CPB).
• Hawaiʻi State FCU: emergency loans up to $5,000, no payments for three months; deferrals of one to three months (interest accrues); penalty-free term-share withdrawals; 808-587-2700 (KITV, Sept 11). HawaiiUSA FCU lists relief options for Lala and Lowell (HawaiiUSA).
• Gather FCU and Kauaʻi FCU: branch hours only, no relief program posted (Gather; KFCU).

3. Insurance: this week

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division's post-storm steps (DCCA via Maui Now, Aug 15):

1. Report the loss to your company or agent now, in writing, and get a claim number and every deadline.
2. Photograph and video everything, including the water line, before cleanup. Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them.
3. Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (tarps, boarding) and keep every receipt; do not make permanent repairs until the insurer approves.
4. Log every storm expense: temporary space, generators, fuel, spoiled inventory.
5. Be available for inspection; review any settlement offer carefully.

Questions: 1-844-808-3222 ext. 4, cca.hawaii.gov/ins (Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide).

Wind vs. flood vs. surge. Standard property policies generally exclude flood; storm surge is flood. Flood insurance excludes wind and wind-driven rain, which fall under your property (or separate hurricane) coverage (FloodSmart; FEMA fact sheet). Ask your agent which policy answers each kind of damage. NFIP claims start at FloodSmart.gov (HIEMA).

Business interruption. Most policies pay lost income only after direct physical damage from a covered peril; "civil authority" coverage can apply when government blocks access because of nearby damage; flood is commonly excluded and power-outage cover usually needs a utility-interruption endorsement (NAIC).

Public adjusters. Hawaiʻi law defines a public adjuster as one who represents only the insured's interests, and no one may act as an adjuster here without a state license (HRS 431:9-105; HRS 431:9-201). Verify the license at cca.hawaii.gov/ins before signing. We help you organize; we do not negotiate claims.

4. Taxes and filings

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• IRS: NOT YET AVAILABLE. The IRS disaster page lists two 2026 Hawaiʻi entries (March storms; Hawaiʻi County earthquake) and none for Lala or Lowell (IRS). Check it after any federal declaration.
• State DOTAX: PENDING. No Lowell relief found. The Lala pattern: penalties and interest waived Aug 20–Oct 20, 2026 for income, GET, and TAT filings, requested on Form L-115A through Hawaiʻi Tax Online; Taxpayer Services 808-587-4242 (Maui Now, Aug 24). Until a Lowell version appears, file and pay on schedule.
• Casualty losses (information only). Business property losses go on Form 4684, Section B; after a federally declared disaster you may elect to claim the loss on the prior year's return; see Publications 547 and 584-B (IRS Topic 515).

5. Employees

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance: NOT YET AVAILABLE. DUA needs a federal major disaster declaration with Individual Assistance. It covers workers, business owners, and the self-employed who can't get regular UI. In Hawaiʻi's March 2026 event the window was 60 days from announcement, claims went through huiclaims.hawaii.gov with ID, Social Security number, latest return, and proof of employment or self-employment; benefits were $346–$868 a week (Maui Now, June 3; DLIR DUA).
• Regular UI now. Staff on reduced hours or a temporary layoff with a return date can claim partial benefits; you file Form UC-348 within five working days and a weekly low-earnings report; they can earn up to $150 a week without reduction (DLIR). Kauaʻi claims office: 4370 Kukui Grove St, Ste 3-214, Līhuʻe; 833-901-2272 (DLIR).
• TDI pays for non-work illness or injury, not closures (DLIR).
• Notice laws. Federal WARN: 100+ employees, 60 days' notice, natural-disaster exception (DOL). Hawaiʻi's Dislocated Workers Act: 50+ employees, 60 days' written notice of a closing, partial closing, or relocation to staff and DLIR (HRS 394B-2; 394B-9). Call DLIR before any permanent cut.
• Pay during closure. Federal law does not require paying hourly staff for hours not worked when a disaster closes the business; salaried exempt staff follow different rules, so call Wage and Hour, 1-866-487-9243, before docking pay (DOL Fact Sheet 72).
• What to say: the honest reopening estimate, a set update day, how to file UI today, and that DUA may follow a declaration.

6. Customers and reopening

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• What travelers hear. HTA: reschedule or visit another island rather than cancel; check directly with airlines and hotels (GoHawaii, updated Sept 10). Mayor Kawakami: not the time for tourists; Kauaʻi will "gladly welcome" visitors once capacity allows. Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau follows county guidance (Kauai Now, Sept 13).
• Hotels. Grand Hyatt targets full operations Sept 20; Sheraton Coconut Beach Sept 19 (Go Visit Hawaii, Sept 13); Sheraton Kauaʻi reported closed through at least Sept 30 (Kauai Magazine).
• Tour operators. With Port Allen and Kikiaola closed, Capt Andy's canceled through Sept 17 and Holoholo through Sept 16; customers are told to contact operators directly (Beat of Hawaii, Sept 14). Contact every booking first; offer a date change, credit, or refund; post the policy on your site.
• Google Business Profile. Closed over 7 days: Edit profile → Hours → Temporarily closed; 7 days or fewer: Special hours; reopen from the same screen (Google; Special hours).
• Website banner. One dated line: what's open, what isn't, how to reach you.
• Say "open" honestly. "Open, limited menu, cash only, generator power" beats "fully open" and a bad review; deceptive practices violate HRS 480-2.

7. Permits, debris, contractors, prices

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• Emergency repairs. The county says start emergency repairs once damage is documented (kauairecovers.org). No emergency-permit program is announced (NOT YET AVAILABLE); the Building Division counter is closed through Sept 18; log permit questions with KEMA 808-726-0702 (County, Sept 13).
• Debris. Seven sites; fees waived for storm debris, commercial loads included; pieces under 3 ft. Kekaha Landfill 8–4 residential, 8–3:30 commercial; transfer stations about 7:15–3:15; Kīlauea and Kapaʻa green-waste sites 7:15–4:30 (County, Sept 14; Garden Island, Sept 10).
• Contractors. Check every license at mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov. A license is required for any job over $1,500 in labor and materials, and for any job needing a building permit regardless of price (HRS 444-2). Electrical work behind your meter needs a certified electrician (KIUC).
• Price gouging. HRS 127A-30 freezes the selling price of any commodity in an area under an emergency proclamation or severe-weather warning; the freeze lasts 72 hours after a declaration unless the governor or mayor continues it, and each item sold above the frozen price is a separate unfair-practice violation (HRS 127A-30). We could not read the Sept 3 proclamation text to confirm whether the freeze was extended. Complaints go to DCCA's Office of Consumer Protection (OCP).

8. Scams after a storm

*Last verified 2026-09-14*

• Kauaʻi Police (Sept 12): expect impersonators posing as police, agencies, relief groups, and charities. Verify first; never give passwords, financial details, Social Security numbers, or verification codes; never send money, gift cards, or crypto to an unsolicited contact; distrust links and QR codes. Report: 808-755-8516 (KPD).
• FEMA never charges for inspections or applications, inspectors carry a government badge, and they don't ask for bank details. Report fraud to StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov (FEMA) or 866-720-5721 (FEMA). SBA applications are only at sba.gov or 800-659-2955.
• "Updated payment details." Any email or text changing where you pay an insurer, contractor, landlord, or supplier, or asking for a fee before a claim pays, is fraud until confirmed by phone at a number you already had.
• Most Kauaʻi business email domains can be forged: in our own check on 2026-09-14, 113 of 124 fail basic sender protection, and the fix is four DNS records, done in an afternoon.

9. This week, in order

1. Safety first: avoid downed lines, report hazards to KIUC 808-246-4300, no work behind the meter without an electrician.
2. Photograph and video everything before cleanup; keep damaged items; note the water line.
3. Email your insurer today; get a claim number; ask which policy responds and every deadline.
4. File your business damage report at bit.ly/lowelldamage.
5. Temporary repairs only; keep every receipt; start an expense log.
6. Haul storm debris while fees are waived.
7. Update Google, your website, and every booked customer with the honest status.
8. Tell staff the plan; help them file UI; submit UC-348 if hours are cut.
9. Assemble the SBA packet (returns, year-to-date P&L, balance sheet, debt list, ID); book a free SBDC session, 808-241-3148.
10. Ask your lender about deferral in writing, verify every unexpected call or email, and fix your email domain records.

10. Sources and limits

What this brief cannot tell you. It is information, not legal, tax, insurance, or financial advice. Programs, deadlines, and dollar figures change daily; verify with the linked source before you file, sign, or pay. Four state sites (governor, DCCA, DLIR, DOTAX) block automated reading, so those facts come from syndicated copies of official releases. We did not read the Sept 3 proclamation text. Nothing here is a claim about your policy, taxes, or eligibility.

Sources (all accessed 2026-09-14): the links above, plus Star-Advertiser Sept 13, Civil Beat Sept 8, Garden Island Sept 14, HIEMA, SBA April 2026 Hawaiʻi terms, DOL DUA, KEDB and Kauaʻi Chamber (no Lowell program posted). Domain check: Hawaii Intelligence, public DNS, 124 Kauaʻi business domains, 2026-09-14.