Hawaii communities seek resilience after storms
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Across Hawaii, communities are responding to a series of severe storms by focusing on preparedness and mutual aid.
After Hurricane Lowell impacted Kaua‘i, residents shared food and helped neighbors clear debris. Government officials from all four counties met to discuss challenges like housing, tourism, and the need for stronger resilience against increasingly frequent and intense weather events. This year has brought significant damage to the islands.
Torrential rains from back-to-back Kona low storms caused flooding and landslides, while Hurricane Lala killed two people and damaged over 200 homes on the Big Island. Hurricane Lowell recently damaged nearly 60 homes on Kaua‘i and left over 33,000 people without power. Officials acknowledge the need to adapt to a changing climate and are considering long-term solutions like relocating infrastructure away from the shoreline.
Maui County launched a $50 million program to buy properties along Front Street, with plans to create a greenway. Kaua‘i County recently passed a law requiring new buildings to be elevated to account for future sea-level rise. Communities are also prioritizing strengthening local connections, with residents recalling the spirit of self-reliance seen after past disasters like Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992.
