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By Amanda Greenwood and Alex Backus
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As Hurricane Lowell moves away from Hawaii after bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and dangerous surf to parts of the state, most public schools are set to reopen Wednesday, while closures will continue on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
Governor Josh Green announced Tuesday that Hawaii Department of Education public schools and offices on Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island will reopen September 9. All public schools on Kauaʻi will remain closed through Friday because of continuing storm impacts, as will Niʻihau High and Elementary School on the small island of Niʻihau.
“Conditions have improved enough for Oʻahu to fully reopen Wednesday, but Kauaʻi continues to face significant impacts from Hurricane Lowell,” Green said.
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“Keeping offices and schools closed in Kauaʻi County will give utility, public works and emergency crews the space they need to safely restore power, clear debris and support affected communities."
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State and county offices, University of Hawaiʻi campuses and Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu will also reopen Wednesday as conditions improve following the hurricane.
Officials will reassess conditions throughout the week, with reopening the next week dependent on progress restoring power, clearing roads and debris and ensuring facilities are safe and accessible.
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The center of Lowell passed west of the Hawaiian Islands overnight Tuesday and moved farther away throughout the day. Hurricane warnings for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau were no longer in place by Tuesday morning local time.
Wind gusts reached as high as 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center, but sustained winds had weakened by early Tuesday and the storm was expected to continue weakening in the coming days.
In a Tuesday night update, the National Hurricane Center said Lowell was weakening but warned that the threat of flash flooding across the Hawaiian Islands would remain through Wednesday.
As of 11 p.m. ET Tuesday, more than 35,000 customers across Hawaii were without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
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Lowell was also generating dangerous surf along the coasts of Mexico’s Baja California and Southern California. Swells producing life-threatening surf and rip currents were expected to continue for the next few days, the hurricane center said.
Residents have been urged to stay off the roads during hazardous conditions, avoid floodwaters and shorelines, prepare for possible power outages, and monitor official forecasts as Lowell moves past the islands.
Green urged people to “remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions.”
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey, Gray R. Thomas
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