Hawaii Travel After Hurricane Lowell: Should You Cancel or Keep Your Trip?

Hurricane Lowell is moving away from Hawaii, but the storm has left major impacts on Kauai and disrupted travel across the islands. So what does this mean if you have a Hawaii trip coming up? In this episode, I break down what you should know about airline travel waivers, canceled flights, refunds, and when it actually makes sense to change your plans. I also explain why the 2026 Central Pacific hurricane season has been unusually active, how El Nino plays a role, and why one active season doesn’t mean you should automatically cancel a Hawaii trip later this year or avoid hurricane season in 2027. You’ll learn the difference between an airline waiver and an airline cancellation, what happens if you voluntarily cancel first, what to consider if your trip is only days away, and how to build more flexibility into future Hawaii travel. If Hurricane Lowell has you wondering whether to cancel or keep your Hawaii trip, this episode will help you understand your options and make a calmer, more informed decision. ***Resources mentioned:*** Official Hurricane Lowell + Hawaii Travel Resources - National Hurricane Center / Central Pacific Hurricane Center - Kauai Emergency Management Agency - Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports - Alaska + Hawaiian Airlines Travel Advisories - Southwest Airlines Travel Advisories - American Airlines Travel Alerts - United Airlines Travel Waivers - U.S. Department of Transportation Airline Refund Rules - NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Outlook _ ***Chapters:*** - 1:50 Current Impacts On Kauai - 3:14 Travel Waivers Explained - 5:01 Refunds And Your Rights - 6:06 Don’t Forget Other Bookings - 6:30 Should You Change Plans - 7:12 Why 2026 Is So Active - 9:05 Planning For Fall Trips - 9:36 Looking Ahead To 2027 - 10:29 Key Takeaways And Resources _ 🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight. - Connect on Instagram - Hawaii Planning Facebook Group - Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com 🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island. *Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)* Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission) Talk Story (w/ permission)