Kauai Dashboard

KĪLAUEA – The Department of Water (DOW) and contractor, Hawai’i Pacific Trenchless Inc., have scheduled a water service shutdown on a portion of Kīlauea Road, from the area near the intersection with Kauapea Road and ending at the Kīlauea Lighthouse. The water service shutdown will begin on April 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. and will conclude at 5 p.m., weather permitting.

The purpose of the water service shutdown is to perform water system improvements.

Customers located in the affected area are advised to prepare for the water service shutdown by taking the following steps:

Store enough water to meet your needs until water service can be safely restored.

Notify family, friends, tenants, and neighbors about the water service shutdown.

Those with faulty water heaters should ensure that their water heaters are not empty during the shutdown to avoid damage to the equipment.

For more information or questions, please contact Pradeep Chand of Hawai'i Pacific Trenchless Inc. at 808-821-9672 or Scott Suga of the Department of Water at 808-245-5411. To monitor water service announcements online, visit www.kauaiwater.org .

Map of the affected area on Kīlauea Road.

LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Police Department held a Change of Command ceremony this afternoon at the Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e to mark the official transition of leadership from outgoing Interim Police Chief Elliott Kalani Ke to incoming Police Chief Rudy Tai.

The ceremony drew strong attendance from county leadership and statewide law enforcement partners, emphasizing the collaboration that supports public safety across Hawai‘i. Among those in attendance were Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, police chiefs and command staff from Maui, Honolulu, and Hawai‘i counties, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies.

The ceremony incorporated an ‘oli, blessing, and hula, alongside the formal administration of the oath of office. Chief Tai was joined on stage by his family during the swearing-in, reflecting the critical role ʻohana plays in the lives of those who serve.

Chief Ke, who has led the department since June 2025, was recognized for his leadership during a period of transition and his continued commitment to the officers and community he serves. Beginning his career with KPD in 1999, he rose through the ranks from Patrol Officer to Assistant Chief, serving in roles across patrol, investigations, traffic safety, and internal affairs.

Chief Tai, who was officially sworn in on March 9 following his appointment by the Kaua‘i Police Commission, now assumes full leadership of the department.

In his remarks, Chief Tai outlined his priorities for the department, including recruitment, community engagement, training and development, and officer wellness, building on the department’s existing strengths. “Kaua‘i Police Department is already doing a lot of great things, but we’re going to take it to the next level,” stated Chief Tai.

Chief Tai brings more than 35 years of law enforcement experience with the San Diego Police Department, where he most recently served as Deputy Chief overseeing daily operations. Born and raised on O‘ahu, he has held leadership roles across patrol, investigative, and administrative assignments and is widely recognized for his work in community policing and leadership development.

Under Chief Tai’s leadership, the Kaua‘i Police Department remains dedicated to fostering strong community partnerships, promoting public safety, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Chief Ke and Chief Tai on stage as Police Commission Vice Chair Mary Kay Hertog, serving as Master of Ceremonies, addresses the audience from the podium at far left during the KPD Change of Command ceremony.

Incoming Chief Rudy Tai delivers remarks outlining his priorities at the KPD Change of Command ceremony.

Outgoing Interim Chief Elliott Kalani Ke (left) and incoming Chief Rudy Tai (right) are honored with lei from friends and family during the KPD Change of Command ceremony.

NR 03-30-2026 (New Era Begins at KPD as Chief Rudy Tai Assumes Command)

The Public Works Solid Waste Division would like to remind residents that Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events are set for April 11 to 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Saturday events are as follows:

Hanapēpē Base yard, located at 4380 Lele Road; and

Kapa‘a Base yard, located at 4900 Kahau Road.

The Sunday events are as follows:

Anaina Hou Community Park, behind Kauai Mini Golf at 5-2723 Kūhiō Highway; and

Kaua‘i Resource Center at 3460 Ahukini Road, in front of the Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station.

Among the items that will be accepted are automotive products, lawn and garden products, oil-based paints, thinners and stains, fluorescent lights, batteries including household types, rechargeables up to 4 lbs, lead acid batteries, and more.

The following items are not accepted at the HHW collection events: eWaste, propane tanks, medical waste, latex paint, tires, used motor oil, fireworks, ammunition, and flares.

Please keep in mind that this event is for residents only. Businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and farmers should not bring materials here and will be turned away.

For questions or concerns please call the Solid Waste Office at 808-241-4841 or see our HHW website at www.kauai.gov/HHW .

NR 03-30-26 (Household Hazardous Waste scheduled for April 11 to 12)

LĪHUʻE — The Kauaʻi Department of Water (DOW) invites residents to a series of community meetings to discuss capital infrastructure needs and associated proposed water rate increases. These sessions will highlight findings from our recently completed comprehensive water systems evaluation and water rate study.

Meetings will be held in Līhuʻe, Waimea, and Kōloa during the second week of April 2026.

Meeting Schedule

Region

Communities

Location

Date

Time

Līhuʻe

Puhi, Līhu‘e, Hanamā‘ulu

Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center

April 7, 2026

5 – 7 p.m.

West Kauaʻi

Kekaha, Waimea, Hanapēpē, ‘Ele‘ele

Waimea Neighborhood Center

April 8, 2026

5 – 7 p.m.

South Kauaʻi

Kalāheo, Lāwa‘i, ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū

Kōloa Neighborhood Center

April 9, 2026

5 – 7 p.m.

Anyone requiring auxiliary aids or services for effective communication, or needing a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity, should contact the Department of Water as soon as possible at 808-245-5455. We encourage advance requests 48 hours or more before the event.

For more information on the community meetings, please visit www.kauaiwater.org/ratesmtg . You may also contact the Department of Water at 808-245-5461 or email publicrelations@kauaiwater.org .

DOWʻs upcoming April 2026 community meetings invitation.

LYDGATE – The Department of Parks and Recreation is announcing that Lydgate Beach Park Campground area will reopen April 2, following the completion of scheduled maintenance.

The original maintenance schedule was delayed to due to inclement weather.

Mahalo for your patience.

LYDGATE – The Department of Parks and Recreation is announcing that the entirety of Lydgate Beach Park Campground area will be closed for scheduled maintenance March 2 to 22.

The Lydgate Campground area includes the Bynum Bridge (formerly known as the Kamalani Kai Bridge), Group Camping Pavilion, and the fishing access area.

These closures are necessary to allow Department of Parks and Recreation staff and partner agencies to thoroughly clean the area, perform much needed grounds maintenance, and conduct various repairs of the campground facilities.

Mahalo for your patience.

For more information, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 808-241-4460 or parks@kauai.gov.

Map of Lydgate Beach Park camping area.

NR 02-11-26 (Lydgate Beach Park camping area to close for maintenance March 2 to 22)

UPDATE: NR 03-30-26 (Lydgate Beach Park camping area to reopen April 2)

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health warns that storm runoff is causing new contamination risks in the area between Lydgate Beach and Wailua Beach.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health advises beach users to stay out of the water when the water appears brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain.

Grants of up to $300,000 are now available for high-impact, shovel-ready projects that reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildfire safety in areas where communities and natural landscapes meet.

Kauaʻi County will observe Good Friday by closing all offices and facilities on April 3. The Kauaʻi Bus will maintain its daily schedule.

Researchers have tested new surveillance technology the detects diseases the cause mass death in whale and dolphin populations.

With more than 35 years of experience and a clear vision to strengthen community relationships and boost department morale, Rudy Tai has been ceremonially sworn in as Kauaʻi’s new chief of police.

The Young Entrepreneurs Program has helped foster over 50 student-created, agriculture-based products, which are available to purchase only unitl 11:59 p.m. today.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Wednesday at 11:45 a.m.

The company has 20 days to respond to the order, as violations were found at facilities on all main Hawaiian Islands.

-International Events-

Middle East: Several escalations occurred overnight, with substantial strikes being reported throughout the region. Satellite imagery indicates that the strikes within Iran have increased in scope, though most of the targeting efforts remain concentrated in the western part of the country. Last night American forces struck an ammo dump in Isfahan, which resulted in significant secondary explosions at the site. This strike supplements many other strikes throughout the area, which have destroyed most of the military infrastructure throughout Isfahan.

In the Persian Gulf itself, Iranian targeting of merchant vessels continued overnight, as two ships reported being targeted. The M/T *AL SALMI* was struck by an Iranian drone, sustaining damage from the subsequent fire that broke out on board after the strike. Another unidentified vessel reported a close-call, with an unidentified munition landing in the water close to the vessel.

Pacific: Yesterday the Marshall Islands declared a state of emergency for at least the next 90 days, due to fuel shortages caused by the reduction of petroleum production in the Middle East and with travel through the Strait of Hormuz being restricted. President Heine signed the declaration yesterday, and various committees have been formed to determine what steps to take as the war continues.

Mali: This morning a local insurgent group posted a video claiming credit for a drone attack on a military outpost in the remote town of Anefis. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) is a small insurgent group that has been waging war in the region for a while, with combat operations intensifying over the past few weeks.

Analyst Comment: While a couple of FPV drone strikes are mostly insignificant on the battlefield, this does indicate that even in the most far-flung regions of the earth, drone warfare is becoming a concern that even large nationstates continue to struggle with. For instance, the site struck by FLA yesterday was also allegedly being used by Russian advisors, and this is the second instance in about a week of FLA militants using munitions attached to FPV drones to carry out attacks.

-HomeFront-

USA: Starlink announced a malfunction with one of their satellites, with the satellite experiencing some level of breakup in orbit. Satellite imagery from a craft with a higher orbit captured the satellite in orbit, which indicates it's still mostly intact even though hundreds of particles have been detected separating from this platform. The cause of the malfunction has not yet been disclosed, with this incident only being described as an "anomaly".

-International Events-

Middle East: The situation continues to deteriorate as Iranian attacks throughout the region have become vastly more effective over the past few days. Iranian targeting of locations in Israel has continued to increase, with multiple targets being struck over the weekend. The refinery in Haifa was struck yesterday afternoon, which resulted in a fire at the facility. Separately, a factory was hit in the industrial zone in Neot Havov, which also resulted in a fire. American bases in Kuwait were also hit overnight, with Iranian missiles targeting barracks facilities.

Red Sea: Over the weekend, the Houthis entered the war, firing one cruise missile toward Israel.

Analyst Comment: The Houthi's have chosen a soft-start to the war, and the missile that was fired was reportedly intercepted. Nevertheless, this is an indication that another front has been opened up, and since the *FORD* CSG is no longer in the Red Sea (due to moving off-station for repairs), missile defense in the region is less effective at the precise moment that the Houthis are entering the war.

Saudi Arabia: Following a series of Iranian airstrikes, several strategic American aircraft were destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base. Several KC-135 refueling tankers were destroyed, along with at least one E-3 Sentry AWACS early warning aircraft. Concerning casualties, official casualty figures were classified at the beginning of the war, however the Pentagon reports approximately 10x US service members were wounded during this attack.

Jerusalem: Controversy has continued throughout the Old City as Israeli forces continue to inflame tensions with Christians throughout the region. Yesterday, Israeli police disrupted Palm Sunday proceedings as Cardinal Pizzaballa of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem was prevented from attending the procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Analyst Comment: This incident was so deliberate that even Mike Huckabee spoke out against it, calling the incident "unfortunate overreach". Considering Huckabee's infamy on this issue at this point, combined with the historical record (and the biblical context), it's a helpful barometer to gauge how serious of an incident this was, which increases tensions at a time when the stakes are already quite high around the region.

-International Events-

Middle East: Offensive actions and targeting efforts by all sides were temporarily degraded last night as a major storm system descended on the region. A supercell storm system similar to a cyclone descended on the UAE last night, with severe flooding and high winds being reported throughout Dubai.

After the weather cleared, major Iranian targeting efforts were reported throughout the region. Port facilitates were struck in Kuwait, and a large fire was observed at the parking apron used by American aircraft at Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia, with the smoke plume being visible on Sentinel satellite imagery from this morning.

Iran: This morning American/Israeli forces struck multiple nuclear production facilities. The Arak Heavy Water Facility (which was struck years ago) was struck again this morning, and the Yellowcake Refinery in Ardakan was also struck.

Analyst Comment: The risk of radiological release at either facility is low, as Arak was not functional and Ardakan was not host to enriched Uranium itself. However, monitoring will continue as radioactive dust is likely to contaminate the local area to some degree, and time will tell how these threats develop as the strikes continue.

Lebanon: Israeli forces continue their advance north toward the Litani River, as FPV drone attacks by Hezbollah become more significant. Two drone attacks on Israeli armored columns were reported last night, along the eastern axis of advance. Israeli forces along the eastern front have made the most progress toward the river, with IDF units being observed in the town of Taybeh this morning.

Analyst Comment: Hezbollah's media group claims that a total of 21 Merkava tanks have been destroyed so far this campaign, however as always these numbers are usually overinflated. Concerning tank casualties, it's incredibly difficult to tell from a video clip if a vehicle was actually penetrated or not, and most of the clips provided by Hezbollah conveniently cut away before the tank's Trophy countermeasure system is activated. This means that counting destroyed/disabled tanks is mostly a wash. However, from the clips and reports on the ground, this is not an easy fight for the Israelis either. Anti-Tank Guided Missile attacks are a mainstay of Hezbollah, and these attacks have been effective in making the Israeli advance more costly than expected.

-HomeFront-

Iowa: Last night a major egg farm burned down in Corwith. The Hawkeye Pride egg production facility caught fire shortly after 6:00pm yesterday evening, which resulted in significant damage to the egg farm. Hawkeye Pride is one of the largest cage-free egg producers in the United States, and the extent of the damage to the henhouses has not yet been determined.

California: Yesterday evening a blackout was reported in Orange County, mostly affecting the areas of Carlsbad and Encinitas, as well as areas south of Escondido. The cause of the electrical outage has not yet been reported, but services were mostly restored for many customers by sunrise.

Florida: Following up on the recent IED threat to MacDill Air Force Base, two individuals have been identified as the culprits of the attack. Ann Mary Zheng and her brother Alen Zheng (both Chinese nationals) have been indicted on charges of emplacing the IED at the visitor's center on March 10th before it was discovered by authorities on March 16th. Mary Zheng was arrested on Wednesday after returning to the United States, while her brother remains in China.

-International Events-

Middle East: The conflict continues for the main belligerents, while several GCC states seek a more neutral approach. The nation of Qatar has reportedly struck a deal with the Iranians to settle the dispute between their nations, and as a result Iranian strikes within Qatar have shifted to solely targeting American equipment and installations instead of Qatari oil infrastructure. In Kuwait, operations at the airport remain degraded as the fuel tanks that were struck yesterday continued burning overnight. Iranian strikes on Israeli infrastructure have continued, with multiple strikes being reported in Tel Aviv yesterday evening.

Lebanon: Israeli forces continued their northern push along an axis of advance from the south, and from the east. Over the past three days, Israeli targeting efforts have concentrated fire on various targets south of the Litani, in preparation for the subsequent ground movements. On Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Minister openly stated the goal of invading Lebanon is to seize all of the terrain south of the Litani River. This plan has been supported by the destruction of bridges across the Litani River, which has been intensifying over the past few days.

-International Events-

Middle East: Multiple escalations of the conflict took place overnight. Following Israeli/American bombing yesterday, Iranian forces retaliated by striking multiple US bases/positions in Kuwait. In Israel, strikes were also reported at the Orot Rabin Power Plant in Hadera, however the munition appears to have missed the generation facilities by a narrow margin. Another Iranian strike targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport overnight, and similar strikes were reported in Tel Aviv which resulted in unknown damage.

Iraq: Multiple significant events occurred overnight as the PMF begins more deliberate offensive operations. Yesterday morning, the United States conducted airstrikes at the personal residences of PMF leadership in Al Habbaniya. This strike killed Saad Al Baiji (an operations chief), and subsequently resulted in an intensification of targeting efforts on American positions throughout Baghdad. As a result of this targeting of PMF leadership, Iraqi Prime ​Minister ‌Mohammed ⁠Shia Al Sudani has authorized PMF militia groups to retaliate against American forces.

Analyst Comment: This is a major escalation that could effectively open up another front in the war. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are a semi-autonomous, highly-organized militia group that serves as one of Iran's major proxy groups outside their own borders. Technically, they are linked to the Iraqi government, but in practice they mostly just do what they want while being supplied by the Iranians. The official Iraqi government stating that they will let them off leash (while not entirely surprising) is in effect a return to GWOT era, but this time the Iraqi government is openly endorsing their attacks on Americans. So in effect, battle lines are being drawn and the Iraqis are now taking the side of Iran. Depending on how kinetic PMF operations become, American forces may face more contested airspace over not just Iran, but Iraq as well.

Otherwise, this week has witnessed an escalation of the war as FPV drone attacks have become more commonly carried out at Camp Victory by insurgents targeting American forces. In a video released yesterday evening, one HH-60M helicopter was targeted, along with a Sentinel radar array.

Analyst Comment: The success of these attacks is not known, but the Iraqi militias conducting these attacks have significantly improved their targeting efforts with lessons learned from Ukraine, or probably more accurately...Russia. One of the FPV drones recorded the other drone attacking the radar site, before flying off to find another target. However, while searching for other targets of opportunity, the idiots accidentally targeted a MEDEVAC helicopter, which is evidenced by the video being edited to blur out the giant Red Cross painted on the side of the aircraft. After reviewing the tape, the militia group probably realized that makes them look bad, so they blurred the footage themselves.

Kuwait: Civil Defense authorities have begun producing informational videos for the general public, regarding what to do in the event of a nuclear incident at a power plant in a neighboring country, such as if Israeli/American forces were to target the active reactor building at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

Analyst Comment: All eyes are on Bushehr. The Israelis dropped munitions in the parking lot a few days ago, probably as a warning, but in retaliation the Iranians hit the residential buildings housing scientists at Dimona yesterday, and this morning they hit an unknown target immediately adjacent to the Hadera plant. In response to this, the IAEA said that the Israeli's hit Bushehr again last night, with unknown impacts. As a result of these constantly rising threats when it comes to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, most GCC states are now actively assuming that this facility will be struck within the next few days, which will probably result in a release of radioactive material.

-HomeFront-

Washington D.C. - Yesterday the Pentagon published the newest changes to the Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program. These changes raise the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42, and also removed the need for a waiver for recruits who have a prior marijuana conviction.