Hurricane Lowell Leaves 2 Dead in Hawaii and Shuts Down Lanai's Cargo Port

Hurricane Lowell moved past Hawaii’s western islands Tuesday night, and the damage is still coming into focus. A 74-year-old man was found dead Wednesday near the shoreline on Kauai’s south end, and a homeless man on Oahu died Monday when a large tree fell on his tent. Kauai resorts reported damage, and on Lanai the cargo port, which keeps food and supplies moving to residents, was rendered inoperable.

Gov. Josh Green has asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration covering Kauai and Maui counties. That request matters because a federal declaration unlocks additional aid and speeds up recovery for communities that need it. Lowell has since weakened to a tropical storm and is drifting west over open water, though forecasters are already watching Tropical Storm Norbert as Pacific storm season continues.

For Sacramento, the connection is closer than it might seem. Many of us have family on the islands, and plenty of us have Hawaii trips on the calendar. Some of the goods that reach our region’s markets and restaurants also move through those same shipping routes. If you have loved ones out there, this is a good week to check in.

Have you been to Hawaii, or do you have family there? How are they doing?