Disaster Relief
Hurricane Lowell Relief: September 19 Update
Island Updates & Ways to Help
Twelve days into Hurricane Lowell recovery, today brings a firsthand look at what our North Shore neighbors are still facing, an update on the volunteers keeping them fed, and real progress on power. If you or a neighbor needs help connecting to any of these resources, or wants to join the club's own Disaster Relief efforts, reach out to Mark Wolfendale, our Disaster Relief program contact.
A Firsthand Look at the North Shore
Our own Secretary and Past President, Ronnie Margolis, drove up the North Shore Friday evening, Ronnie's first chance to see it since the storm, and shared this account with the club: "Somewhere between Moloa'a and Waipake I passed four HECO trucks working on power lines on the mauka side of the highway. It was still light out, and I could not believe what I was looking at: downed telephone lines, and just absolute devastation to the trees and fences on both sides of the road." He was on his way to an interfaith service at Church of the Pacific, open to every faith and centered on healing and recovery for everyone hit by Lowell, a reminder of the same spirit that drives our own Service Above Self.
Hot Meals Still Going Out on Powerhouse Road
On Powerhouse Road, Kaua'i Resilience Team coordinator Megan Wong has been driving door to door with hot meals for residents still cut off since the storm. A few miles away, volunteers Tiffany Grande and Donna King, two of the neighbors residents have started calling the "east side aunties," spend their days prepping the lunches that go out on that same route. Between them, the meals add up to hundreds a day, one of the few steady things left for North Shore families still waiting on power. This is exactly the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor effort our club's Disaster Relief fund exists to support. To contribute or volunteer through the club, reach out to Mark Wolfendale, our Disaster Relief program contact. Read more at Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Power Restoration Climbs to 95%
KIUC has restored power to 95% of the island as of Friday, with roughly 1,800 members still waiting for service, down from a peak of about 33,000 customers right after the storm. Crews brought back about 1,500 members Thursday evening alone, including more than 1,000 in Kīlauea. Still without power: North Shore pockets between Moloa'a and Hanalei, scattered outages between Kapa'a and Kekaha, the Wainiha and Hā'ena area, and Kōke'e. In Wainiha and Hā'ena, KIUC's best estimate is that repair work could begin this weekend, with restoration starting by the end of next week. The County of Kaua'i confirmed the same 95% figure Friday afternoon, noting flaggers remain on site for traffic control and asking motorists to slow down, stay alert, and stay away from any downed lines. Get the full update from The Garden Island, and if you or a neighbor are still in the dark and need a hand connecting to resources, Mark Wolfendale, our Disaster Relief program contact, is here to help.
