4:30am Hurricane Lowell Update

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At bottom right are the Hawaiian Islands. The small island farthest west (left) is Niihau and the next one to the right is Kauai. They were struck hard by now rapidly weakening Lowell. 

On Kauai, the reported peak gust was at a place called Puu Lua which was 92 mph (I am not familiar with that location and cannot find it on a map). Nawiliwili had a gust of 86 mph, Barking Sands 84 mph and Lihue (where you land when you fly to Kauai) had 84, which was a bit higher than expected.

Because it is still dark, we don't know much about damage except that it is said to be "extensive." On Kauai, poweroutage.us says 90% of the customers (homes and businesses) are without power. 

We have not heard from Niihau and I'm not sure we will in the near future. It is a colony of native Hawaiians who often resist communicating with the outside world. 

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