Hurricane Lowell left Lanai's main commercial harbor inoperable and closed Port Allen on Kauai to commercial traffic, placing this report in the disruption bucket. The Associated Press said Kaumalapau Harbor supplies much of Lanai's food and fuel, while Port Allen supports licensed commercial boat operations.
At Kaumalapau, the storm opened a sinkhole, damaged the pier area and scattered containers into the water. Hawaii transportation crews began clearing underwater hazards and removing debris with divers and cranes. The state expects the waterway to be ready for operations on September 13, although repairs on land will continue.
At Port Allen, high surf damaged boats, docks and the breakwater. The state said damage to navigational buoys is keeping the harbor closed to commercial operations. Divers are restoring the buoys while the Hawaii Department of Transportation coordinates with the United States Coast Guard and other partners.
Officials considered other ways to move supplies to Lanai while the harbor remains unavailable. For vessel operators and island cargo services, reopening depends on safe waterways, working navigation aids and usable berths, not only visible repairs on land.