Story perspectives

Josh Green Requests Trump Disaster Declaration for Maui, Kauai

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 7:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Green Seeks Disaster

Governor Josh Green asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster for Kauai and Maui.
About 60,000 customers lost power statewide, including 33,319 of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s members.
A tornado watch, the first ever for Hawaii, was issued for Kauai County on September 7 and expired the next morning.
The Hawaii National Guard and Red Cross deployed teams to assist more than 300 shelter residents and distribute food.

Summary

National Guard Responds

Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew into Hurricane Lowell’s eye to collect critical storm data.
Lowell became the first Central Pacific hurricane since 2018 to reach Category 5 strength twice.
Power loss caused a 20,000-gallon wastewater spill at Waimea Treatment Plant.
Kilohana recorded 21.1 inches of rain, while Wainiha measured 19.89 inches.
The National Guard deployed 129 members and six high-water vehicles to aid Kauai.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai as a Category 4 storm, causing $3.1 billion in damage, six deaths and prompting Governor John Waihee, FEMA and the Red Cross to overhaul federal aid and inter-agency coordination. When Hurricane Lowell approached in September 2026, Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, issued Hawaii’s first tornado watch and relied on the same refined protocols.

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Green Seeks Disaster

Governor Josh Green asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster for Kauai and Maui.
About 60,000 customers lost power statewide, including 33,319 of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s members.
A tornado watch, the first ever for Hawaii, was issued for Kauai County on September 7 and expired the next morning.
The Hawaii National Guard and Red Cross deployed teams to assist more than 300 shelter residents and distribute food.

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