A rare hurricane warning is in effect Kauai and Niihau as the storm’s projected path ekes closer to the state.

Forecasters warn Lowell could be near major hurricane strength as it moves close to the western Hawaiian Islands next week.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Kauai and Niihau and a tropical storm watch is in effect for Oahu due to Hurricane Lowell.

The strongest of these Central and Eastern Pacific hurricanes is Lowell, which peaked twice as a Category 5 storm over the Labor Day weekend and was expected to pass just west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night, forcing a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for Kauai County and a tropical storm watch for Oahu (see below).

Kauai has been told to brace for damaging winds, flooding rain and dangerous surf as Hurricane Lowell approaches.

Powerful Hurricane Lowell is barreling toward Hawaii and is expected to make a dangerously close pass by the state’s western islands as heavy rain associated with the Category 3 hurricane has already triggered flash flooding on Oahu and damaging surf is pounding Hawaii’s southern shores.

Hawaii’s Panna Ratkai put down a kill against UC San Diego at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday. Below, the Wahine celebrated after scoring a point. Ratkai had a match-high19 kills. 2026 September 6 SPT - Photo by Darryl Oumi / Special to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

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