Honolulu will resume normal government operations on Wednesday after closing non-essential offices and services because of Hurricane Lowell, the City and County of Honolulu said. The change affects residents and city users on Oahu, where services are reopening even as cleanup continues and Ala Moana Regional Park stays closed.
Rick Blangiardi said, "We are incredibly grateful this morning that Oahu appears to have been spared the worst of Hurricane Lowell." He also said, "I also want to say mahalo to everyone across this island who listened, prepared, and took the warnings seriously. We asked people not to become complacent, and you responded. You stayed informed, you adjusted your plans, and you helped us get through a long night safely."
Wednesday reopenings in Honolulu
Satellite city halls and driver licensing centers are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, along with most city parks, botanical gardens, all municipal golf courses and Honolulu Zoo. The City’s Emergency Operations Center remains deactivated at 4 p.m. as departments assess conditions and coordinate response operations across Oahu.
As of 8 a.m., the tropical storm warning for Oahu was canceled as Lowell pulled to the north of the main island chain. A high surf warning remained in place for the south-facing shores of all isles through 6 p.m. Tuesday because of a southwest swell from Lowell.
Ala Moana Regional Park cleanup
Ala Moana Regional Park will remain closed until further notice while city crews clean up large amounts of sand and debris. The closure gives Honolulu time to clear roadways and sidewalks before returning the park to public use.
Officials said residents should continue to avoid flooded roadways, downed power lines, fallen trees and debris. Those are the hazards still left after the storm, even with city offices set to reopen.
Kauai and Niihau response
Blangiardi said, "Our work on Oahu is not completely finished, but our attention is also turning to our neighbors on Kauai and Niihau." He added, "They took the brunt of this storm, and we know there are people waking up this morning to damage and a very different situation than we are experiencing here."
The City and County of Honolulu has deployed 20 people to Kauai to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts. Blangiardi said, "We are one state, and when one island needs help, we step up. We are already looking at what resources we can provide and stand ready to support Kauai County in whatever way they need us."
Honolulu’s reopening puts the focus on the remaining cleanup and the support heading to Kauai while the park closure continues to mark the storm’s local impact on Oahu.
