Hurricane fallout batters Kauai tourism, weighs on statewide visitor numbers

The downturn in tourism was driven largely by Hurricane Lowell’s impact on Kauai, where visitor arrivals plunged 35%. In late September, Hurricane Nolo approached and skirted south of the Hawaiian Islands bringing heavy rain that hampered Lowell cleanup efforts.

Hawaii’s visitor industry lost momentum in September as hurricanes disrupted travel, shortened vacations and dealt a major blow to Kauai’s tourism sector.