Tourists should skip Kauai for now as it recovers from Hurricane Lowell, officials say

Tourism officials are asking visitors to steer clear of one of Hawaii's most picturesque islands as residents and businesses work to recover from the latest tropical storm to thrash the state.

Intense wind and surging waves from Hurricane Lowell damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power early this week on Kauai, known for its stunning tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs.

Thousands of customers, including some resorts, remained without power Friday, as crews continued clearing streets of downed trees and utility poles. Extensive lines backed up at Kauai's primary airport as people tried to leave the island; state officials said the airport was operating on a lone backup generator because a second generator was damaged by the storm. That reduced security screening to a single line with long delays.

"Our hope is that visitors will adjust their travel plans instead of canceling their trip to Hawai'i altogether," Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, said in a written statement Thursday. "Adjusting your itinerary allows you to continue your Hawai'i vacation while supporting the state's broader visitor economy as Kaua'i recovers."

Kauai sees only a small fraction of Hawaii's almost 10 million visitors each year, but tourism is its top economic driver, with people coming from all over to take in its tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. Local estimates say tourism accounts for 4 out of every 10 jobs on the island.

The hurricane's powerful storm surge buckled and washed away roads, knocked down the walls of homes and flooded resorts, sending rapids through a hotel lobby, overturning furniture and scattering debris. It was blamed for two deaths, including a 74-year-old man found Wednesday near Kauai's south shore and a man found dead Monday on Oahu after a large tree fell on his tent.

Democratic Gov. Josh Green asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to issue a major disaster declaration to expedite federal help for Kauai and Maui counties.

On Lanai, one of Hawaii's smallest main islands, storm damage rendered a harbor that supplies much of the food and fuel to its 3,300 residents inoperable. Officials initially said it would take two weeks to repair, but Thursday they updated that estimate to say it should be ready for operations by Sunday, with additional repairs to a sinkhole and a pier to take a week. The island is mostly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, who spent about $300 million on it in 2012.

Hearing that the harbor will reopen soon is a "huge relief," said Keoni Vaughn, executive director of Lanai Cat Sanctuary, a nonprofit that cares for over 700 cats on the island.

"Considering the extent of the damage, having the possibility of barge service restored that quickly says a lot about the response and the number of people working together to make it happen," said Vaughn.