Līhuʻe Airport (LIH), the main air gateway to Kauaʻi, closed at 2:30 p.m. local time on Monday, September 7, 2026, as conditions deteriorated under Hurricane Lowell. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation said operations would resume only after the runway and terminal facilities had been inspected and conditions were considered safe.
The closure came while a hurricane warning was in effect for Kauaʻi County, including Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. The National Hurricane Center warned of dangerous conditions across Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, including strong winds, heavy rain, flash-flood risk and destructive surf. At 5 p.m. HST, Lowell was around 275 km southwest of Līhuʻe with sustained winds near 175 km/h.
Flights suspended at Līhuʻe
The airport closure halted commercial operations. Alaska Airlines had already announced at least 21 cancellations to and from Līhuʻe for Monday, while several carriers introduced travel waivers allowing affected passengers to change or cancel trips.
Authorities had initially said airports would remain open as long as conditions permitted. Weather then deteriorated enough for the Department of Transportation to close Līhuʻe.
Reopening depends on inspections
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation said operations would restart only after an inspection of the airfield and terminal. No firm reopening time had been announced at the time of publication.
Passengers were advised to check directly with their airline before travelling to the airport. Emergency authorities urged Kauaʻi residents to remain sheltered and avoid non-essential travel while Lowell remained a threat.
Sources
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation; National Hurricane Center / Central Pacific Hurricane Center; Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency; Hawaiʻi Public Radio; Hawaii News Now.
Related: Boston storm: 253 flights cancelled as nor’easter hits.
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