Hawaii Faces $212M in Storm Damage This Year
Hawaii has experienced a series of severe weather events in 2026, resulting in over $212 million in public infrastructure damage, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA). The damage stems from two Kona-low storms in March, a magnitude-6.0 earthquake in May, Hurricane Lala in August, and Hurricane Lowell in September. Hurricane Lala caused $67 million in damage, primarily affecting Hawaii County, while Hurricane Lowell inflicted $100.5 million in damage, with Kauai County bearing the brunt. Additionally, the state Department of Education estimates $174.5 million in storm-related school repair and recovery costs. The disasters have also impacted hundreds of homes, with many destroyed or severely damaged. Officials warn that these figures are preliminary and could rise as assessments continue. (Source time: 2026-09-24 10:05:00 GMT)