🌺 Hurricane Lowell Update: Should You Still Come to Kauaʻi?

 

Updated September 10, 2026

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Kauai Island Weddings is OPEN and performing weddings.

We know many of our upcoming couples are trying to make a difficult decision right now: Should we still come to Kauaʻi, or should we reschedule our wedding?

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The answer depends largely on when you're arriving.

Kauaʻi did experience significant damage from Hurricane Lowell, particularly in portions of the South and West Shores. But conditions vary considerably around the island, and recovery efforts are moving quickly. Cleanup is underway, utilities are being restored, roads are reopening, and businesses are coming back online as services return.

Based on the firsthand information we're receiving daily from our team and family on Kauaʻi, here's our best guidance right now:

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Arriving September 10–20

Consider rescheduling - but we're open if you want to proceed.

If your wedding and vacation fall within the next 10 days, rescheduling may be the best choice. Kauaʻi is still in the immediate cleanup and restoration phase, and some areas continue to experience power outages, limited services, debris and storm cleanup — although significant progress is being made every day.

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We are performing weddings, and couples who wish to continue with their plans may certainly do so. However, if you would prefer to experience Kauaʻi after the immediate recovery period has passed, we completely understand rescheduling.

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Arriving September 20–30

Conditions are improving rapidly. If you're traveling during the second half of September, we believe you can proceed with your plans with increasing confidence.

We expect conditions to improve considerably over the coming days and weeks, although it is still too early to know exactly how quickly every resort, business and area of the island will complete its cleanup.

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If you're scheduled during this period, please don't cancel based solely on what you're seeing online. Conditions are changing daily. Talk to us first, and we can give you a much better picture of what is actually happening on Kauaʻi as your arrival date approaches.

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You may find that your wedding can proceed beautifully with few — or no — adjustments.

In fact, our team performed three weddings at Shipwreck Beach on September 9th and reported back that the beach is already suitable for weddings. The sun was shining, the ocean was clear and blue, and our weddings went ahead beautifully.🌴💙

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Arriving October 1 or Later

We recommend proceeding with your plans with confidence.

If your wedding is in October or beyond, we currently see no reason to cancel or reschedule your Kauaʻi wedding.

There are still several weeks of recovery ahead before October arrives, and tremendous progress is already being made each day.

Depending on exactly where you're staying, we may recommend some adjustments as individual resorts and communities recover at different speeds. For couples traveling sooner, this could mean temporarily choosing accommodations on the East or North Shore, or moving a South Shore ceremony to an East Shore location or beautiful Anini Beach on the North Shore, if you prefer.

And as mentioned above, Shipwreck Beach is already being used successfully for our weddings.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai also weathered the storm better than some other South Shore properties, although cleanup is still underway, particularly around its extensive pool and outdoor areas.

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🌴 Having Trouble With Your Kauaʻi Accommodations?

If your original hotel, resort or vacation rental was directly affected by the hurricane, you don't necessarily need to cancel your Kauaʻi trip. Moving your accommodations to another part of the island may be a much simpler solution.

Kauaʻi's East Shore — including Kapaʻa, Wailua and Līhuʻe — has a number of hotels and resorts currently showing availability for September and October. It's also a wonderfully convenient area for exploring both the North and South Shores.

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Here are several options to check:

• OUTRIGGER Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa — Līhuʻe/Nukoliʻi

• The Royal Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort Līhuʻe — Līhuʻe/Kalapaki

• Kauai Shores Hotel — Kapaʻa

• Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort — Kapaʻa

• Plantation Hale Suites — Kapaʻa

• Aston Islander on the Beach — Kapaʻa

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Availability is changing quickly, so please check directly with the property for your particular travel dates and confirm its current operating status before making or changing reservations.

If your existing accommodations are open and able to receive you, there is no need to change them simply because they're on the South Shore. These suggestions are primarily for couples whose original accommodations were directly affected or are temporarily unable to receive guests.

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A change of hotel doesn't have to mean a change of island — or a change of wedding plans. 🌺💍

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Please Remember: Kauaʻi Is More Than One Viral Video

Some of the most dramatic storm footage being shared repeatedly online comes from particularly hard-hit locations. Those images are real — but they do not represent the entire island.

Conditions can look dramatically different just a few miles away.

 

One unexpected silver lining for couples traveling to Kauaʻi over the coming weeks may be a quieter island experience. With some visitors changing or postponing their travel plans following the storm, we expect fewer visitors than usual in the short term — which may mean quieter beaches, less traffic and a little more privacy for your wedding ceremony and photographs. 🌴💕 For couples who love the peaceful, natural side of Kauaʻi, this could actually be a particularly beautiful time to experience the island.

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Our team is on Kauaʻi, and we're receiving firsthand information every day. Before cancelling your wedding or your trip, please contact us. We can tell you what we're actually seeing on the ground and, when necessary, help you make simple adjustments to your plans rather than give up your Kauaʻi wedding altogether.

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The sun is out. Kauaʻi is recovering. Cleanup is underway. Services are returning. And Kauai Island Weddings is already back to doing what we love most — marrying our couples. 🌴💕

 

We'll continue updating this page as conditions improve.

Aloha, The Kauai Island Weddings Team