Kauaʻi Radio Stations Lose Power During Hurricane Lowell
Power outages cut off emergency broadcasts on Kauaʻi, leaving residents without road, shelter and hospital updates as stations lacked backup equipment.
- Hurricane Lowell caused widespread power outages across Kauaʻi on September 10, 2026, forcing designated emergency radio stations off the air and leaving residents without critical information on road safety and aid access.
- The closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting last year disrupted FEMA funding, leaving Kauaʻi Community Radio with an $83,000 annual budget deficit that prevents essential investments in backup power infrastructure.
- Darryl Oliveira, acting administrator for Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, described radio as the 'backbone of government communication,' yet many stations rely on aging generators installed 20 years ago that fail during blackouts.
- While KKCR maintained limited 90.9 broadcasts using a diesel generator and donated Starlink, resident Gary Hooser noted feeling 'really isolated for about 24 hours' without electricity or internet.
- Officials are now urging a comprehensive review of state radio resilience, proposing solar panels and battery backups to replace outdated equipment following similar transmission failures on Maui.
23 Articles
23 Articles
For years, emergency preparedness has followed a mantra: authorities across the state urge residents of Hawaii to hold hand-held portable radios and spare batteries when storms or other hazards pose a threat. The idea is for such radios to transmit urgent government warnings and updates, even if other systems fail.
For years, emergency preparedness has followed a mantra: authorities across the state urge residents of Hawaii to hold hand-held portable radios and spare batteries when storms or other hazards...
Radio Silence Amid Lowell Reveals Critical Gap In Emergency Plan – WTOP News
For years it has been a mantra of emergency preparedness: Officials across the state urge Hawaiʻi residents to keep portable radios and extra batteries on hand whenever storms or other hazards pose a threat. The idea is those radios will convey urgent government warnings and updates when other systems fail. But when Hurricane Lowell battered...
Associated Press News
Radio Silence Amid Lowell Reveals Critical Gap In Emergency Plan
For years it has been a mantra of emergency preparedness: Officials across the state urge Hawaiʻi residents to keep portable radios and extra batteries on hand whenever storms or other hazards pose a threat.
For years, emergency preparedness has followed a mantra: authorities across the state urge residents of Hawaii to hold hand-held portable radios and spare batteries when storms or other hazards pose a threat. The idea is for such radios to transmit urgent government warnings and updates, even if other systems fail.
Radio Silence Amid Lowell Reveals Critical Gap In Emergency Plan Radio is critical during disasters. Kauaʻi has again exposed that many stations lack generators and other equipment needed to stay on the air.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/09/radio-silence-amid-lowell-reveals-critical-gap-in-emergency-plan/
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