Food

How SNAP changes could impact access to free school meals : NPR

Paige Shoemaker DeMio was not only concerned about the children at home who were going hungry, but also those at school when Republican legislators cut funding to America’s largest food aid program in 2011.
She says that whenever she hears about cuts in SNAP and Medicaid, “we’re concerned about the impact of these.”
Shoemaker deMio, senior policy analyst for the Center for American Progress (a think-tank with a liberal bent), is an expert in education. Normally, Shoemaker DeMio focuses her attention on education in K-12, but she’s been closely following recent changes made to the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (also known as SNAP, or food stamps).
SNAP provides children access to other important resources such as a free school breakfast or lunch. When a child’s family stops receiving food assistance because of SNAP, they may no longer receive free meals at school. When scores of families lose their SNAP benefits, the universal meal program at tens and thousands of schools is put in jeopardy.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, over one million children lost their food assistance since July 20, 2025 when One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law. The legislation also led to a stricter requirement for food assistance recipients to work.
As we enter the new academic year, many schools have discontinued their free universal meal program. This includes schools in San Antonio and Houston, as well as Miami-Dade County. It’s not clear how much the decline in SNAP usage played a part, according to school nutritionists. Diane Pratt Heavner is a spokeswoman for the School Nutrition Association which represents about 50,000 professionals working in school nutrition in the U.S. She says the impact of SNAP reforms on the free meals in schools will be evident in coming years.
She says, “This could be the tip of an iceberg.”
The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA), which is responsible for administering SNAP on a federal level and serving school lunches, announced that it invested $385 millions in low-income areas and those who needed nutrition assistance.
The Department of Education stated that “school meal programs are subject to varying income levels. While SNAP may make the application process easier, a family who is not SNAP eligible will not be automatically denied participation.”
The school districts must reassess their ability to provide free meals
If at least a quarter (25%) of the students in a district or school participates in assistance programs such as SNAP, then USDA’s Community Eligibility provision will help pay for free universal meals. If it is 62.5%, or higher, then the federal government will cover the entire bill. According to Center for American Progress, more than 49 000 public schools took part in the program as of 2024-2025.
The federal reimbursement fluctuates depending on the number of families who receive assistance. According to Pratt Heavner, a decline in the use of food stamps can result in a reduction in federal funding. This will force schools to spend more on universally free food, when budgets are already tight.
She adds that this could lead schools to divert funds from classroom needs and stop providing universally free meals. Even if districts choose to discontinue their free meals programs, the cost of unpaid food may continue to be a burden.
This is what happened in the year 2023. A report from the School Nutrition Association stated that when the U.S. stopped a pandemic waiver, which allowed schools to provide free meals nationwide, some districts had accumulated debts of up to $1.7 million.
Pratt Heavner says that unpaid debts affect not just the school lunch program but also the budget of the district, as it has to cover teachers’ salaries and textbook costs. It’s a situation that no one wins.
Erin Bronner, the director of nutrition and health for children in a central Phoenix school district that is part of the Community Eligibility Provision. Arizona is the state with the largest decline in SNAP participants in the nation. More than 400,000 Arizonans, including 180,000 kids, have lost food assistance in the last year.
Bronner’s district will have to apply for this provision again next year. She is worried about whether or not her district will be able to continue offering free universal meals.
She says that due to the drastic decline of SNAP, “the percentage of families eligible [is] too low for us to sustain financially operating this provision.” We would lose money by continuing to run CEP.
Children in a “danger Zone”
If a student’s family income is at or below the 130% poverty line (which in 2026 would be $42,900 per family of four), they are eligible for free meals at school. Families earning less than $61,050 can get reduced-priced meals.
Students can apply for free meals or discounted prices by filling out an application. Shoemaker DeMio says that the application form is often a cause of confusion, and can be an administrative burden.
She says that it is easier for the children to be fed if they are given meals universally rather than requesting them individually.
Pratt Heavner says that another problem with the application stems from its reliance on income alone, and does not take into consideration a family’s unique expenses or hardships. No exceptions are allowed.
She says that a family who is struggling to pay a rent hike or has an ill family member may spend more than it earns and not qualify for help.
Bronner in Arizona calls this the “danger area”: When a family’s income is just over the threshold, but they are still struggling to pay for school.
She says, “They fall through the gaps.” Because of their income, we don’t have many alternatives to provide for them.
Experts in school policy say that they are also worried about children who do not have citizenship, even though all students can get free meals or at reduced prices regardless of their immigration status. The school policy experts are concerned that parents of noncitizen children may not be willing to provide personal information on the application for school meals, such as their last four Social Security numbers.
Center for American Progress estimates that families who lose access to free meal programs could end up spending an average of $1,000 per child each year. DeMio Shoemaker says families already struggling with rising living costs, high gas prices and other expenses will be hit by this cost burden.
She says, “That’s a huge amount of money.” “Especially since we are talking about families that are just on the verge of being eligible and are facing an affordability problem.”
Worries about hunger growing
Nine states currently offer universally free meals in schools: California, Colorado. Maine, Massachusetts. Michigan. Minnesota. New Mexico. New York. Vermont. Other states introduced legislation in recent years to take this step.
The universal programs that provide free meals to all students have also been the subject of discussion. The government should not pay for meals that families are able to afford. Those who support school lunches argue they are healthier and improve education.
Shoemaker DeMio: “Schools provide students with books, pencils and laptops to prepare them for learning. Nutrition is no exception.” The foundation of student success is nutrition.
Sharon Glosson is the Executive Director of School Nutrition at North East Independent Schools District, San Antonio. She supports universally free school meals. Glosson said she’s seen the stigmatization and shame of low-income children in line for lunches disappear.
She says, “It’s available to all and no one is excluded from the free or reduced-price offer.”
Her district, however, announced this year that they would be stopping the universally free meal program on nearly half of their campuses. Glosson says the decline in food aid recipients was the main factor, even though there is still a need to alleviate hunger.
She says, “We are aware that the economic situation of our parents in our district has not improved enough to allow them to afford school lunches.”

Food

IFA 2026 Keeps Delivering New Tech and We’re Tracking Down the Things You Can Actually Buy Right Now

IFA 2026 has been in full swing in Berlin over the weekend and the tech just keeps coming. Since press events kicked off last week, we’ve been treated to a steady stream of TVs, wearables, smart home gear and more making their debut on the show floor.
Our Picks
Bottom Line
The Omni E35 does more than just cleaning. According to Anker, this robot vacuum is the first and only robot vacuum to earn the Asthma & Aller…
Bottom Line
The Max 875 packs some interesting cleaning tech. Apart from the usual set of features we’ve come to expect from a robot vacuum, this one’s ch…
Bottom Line
Have you ever wanted to put a camera on your toothbrush and have it use AI to help you floss as you brush? Do you have a spare $500 lying arou…
Bottom Line
UV printing is becoming popular in the maker community, and the race is on to make the next UV printer better than the last. The Morpho boasts…
Bottom Line
The SkyLark is the size of a phone and is compatible with your PC, tablet, phone, Switch or any other device that you can game on. You get USB…
Bottom Line
This Nanoleaf mask targets an area most skincare routines overlook. The flexible, wraparound design covers the neck and chest, using three nea…
Bottom Line
RayNeo’s GT and GT Max are built for immersive AR gaming and media, with virtual screens projecting up to 231- and 307-inch screens, respectiv…
Bottom Line
The SwitchBot Lock combo pairs the new Lock Ultra Max with the Keypad Vision Pro and a Matter-enabled Hub Mini. The retrofit smart lock suppor…
Bottom Line
What’s better than a three-in-one 100-watt fast charger? A charger that also looks cute. Baseus has launched a lineup of accessories in a deep…
Bottom Line
This 10,000-mAh power bank supports Qi2.2-certified 25-watt wireless charging, with liquid cooling to help keep things running smoothly. You c…
Bottom Line
With pool season coming to a close, it’s a good idea to give it a clean. The V3 Ultra cleans along the pool floor, walls, waterline, water sur…
Bottom Line
The Riko is a self-contained smart wet food maker that prepares food for your feline friend on demand or on a schedule. It has compartments fo…
Bottom Line
BleeqUp’s Rover sports glasses do more than just protect your eyes. An AI-powered tilt camera films and edits your ride automatically, while a…
Bottom Line
The Philips Hue smart rope light looks like a neon sign but bends like a strip light. You can shape it, hang it or wrap it however you like. O…
Bottom Line
The Sonos Ace Ultra delivers rich, detailed audio with noise cancellation and up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC running. That’s a full w…
Bottom Line
The Luna Band is the latest entry in a line of screenless fitness trackers and also a cheaper alternative to its competitors. It tracks activi…
Events like IFA are breeding grounds for zany appliances and tech, and this year is no exception. We’ve seen everything from Dyson toothbrushes to flying car concepts. Yes, it’s finally happening. But while these gadgets are certainly cool to look at, some are still a ways away from actually being available for purchase.
So, what can you get your hands on now? We’ve done the work and compiled it all for you, and we’ll keep this page updated as more oddly specific tech gets announced.
Eufy Omni E35 robot vacuum
The Omni E35 does more than just cleaning. According to Anker, this robot vacuum is the first and only robot vacuum to earn the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification. You also get the features you expect of a top-tier robot vacuum — 35,000 Pa of suction, corner coverage, detangling technology, self-cleaning roller mop and more. Early bird discount slashes $300 off the $1,300 price, and you get a year’s worth of cleaning accessories.
$1,000 (available now, save $300 and get early bird perks)
Roomba Max 875 Combo robot vacuum
The Max 875 packs some interesting cleaning tech. Apart from the usual set of features we’ve come to expect from a robot vacuum, this one’s chassis can form a tight seal against carpet fibers to offer more powerful spot cleaning. It also sprays heated mist onto hardwood floors to remove stubborn stains. The Max 875 is now available to order.
$1,200 (available now)
Dyson CameraJet electric toothbrush
Have you ever wanted to put a camera on your toothbrush and have it use AI to help you floss as you brush? Do you have a spare $500 lying around that you don’t know how to spend? If you said yes to either of these questions, the CameraJet is for you.
$500 (preorder now, ships in 2-3 weeks)
Morpho UV printer
UV printing is becoming popular in the maker community, and the race is on to make the next UV printer better than the last. The Morpho boasts an impressive 60 mm print height, as well as clever scanning tech to ensure your print stays inside the lines. It’s currently on Kickstarter with over $10 million worth of backing.
From $1,800 (Kickstarter early bird)
Voidjoy SkyLark S1 Pro portable controller
The SkyLark is the size of a phone and is compatible with your PC, tablet, phone, Switch or any other device that you can game on. You get USB-C and Bluetooth support with multipoint connectivity. You can even easily swap controls with your player two with a button combo. There’s also app controls for button mapping, setting dead zones, sensitivity and more.
$50 (preorder now, ships later this month)
Nanoleaf LED light therapy neck and décolletage mask
This Nanoleaf mask targets an area most skincare routines overlook. The flexible, wraparound design covers the neck and chest, using three near-infrared wavelengths to address deep lines and loss of elasticity. There are seven light modes with five intensity levels to handle everything from fine lines to hyperpigmentation.
$200 (available now)
RayNeo GT AR glasses
RayNeo’s GT and GT Max are built for immersive AR gaming and media, with virtual screens projecting up to 231- and 307-inch screens, respectively. The GT offers a 46-degree field of view, while the GT Max offers a wider 59-degree FOV. Both are available to order at $30 off, with the GT at $299 and the GT Max at $399.
From $299 (available now, save $30)
SwitchBot Lock Ultra Max Vision Pro combo
The SwitchBot Lock combo pairs the new Lock Ultra Max with the Keypad Vision Pro and a Matter-enabled Hub Mini. The retrofit smart lock supports multiple ways to unlock, including facial recognition, palm-vein scanning, fingerprints, NFC and passcodes.
$270 (available now, save $70)
Baseus PicoGo Pro AH22 USB-C charger
What’s better than a three-in-one 100-watt fast charger? A charger that also looks cute. Baseus has launched a lineup of accessories in a deep dark cherry color to match the rumored new iPhone 18 color. If the color wasn’t enough to sway you, the adapter’s display shows useful charging stats and adorable animations. Make sure to enter the code BSAH2295M at checkout to get $10 off the PicoGo Pro. The entire lineup is available for purchase on Amazon.
$50 (available now, save $10 with code)
Ugreen MagFlow Qi2 power bank
This 10,000-mAh power bank supports Qi2.2-certified 25-watt wireless charging, with liquid cooling to help keep things running smoothly. You can even see the coolant flowing around in there. It also offers up to 45-watt USB-C fast charging, with two USB-C ports and wireless charging, letting you power up to three devices at once. The carrying cable also doubles as a charging cable.
$150 (available now)
Aiper Scuba V3 Ultra pool cleaner
With pool season coming to a close, it’s a good idea to give it a clean. The V3 Ultra cleans along the pool floor, walls, waterline, water surface and shallow pool areas. Its AI cleaning technology lends itself well to environmental perception and route planning. The pool cleaner also comes with app controls. The early bird discount gives you $400 off the $2,300 list price.
$1,900 (available now, save $400)
Neakasa Riko automatic pet feeder
The Riko is a self-contained smart wet food maker that prepares food for your feline friend on demand or on a schedule. It has compartments for freeze-dried food and water, automatically rehydrates and mixes the food when it’s time for a meal. The preorder discount saves you $100, dropping the retail price to $200.
$200 (available for preorder, save $100)
BleeqUp Rover AI Sports Glasses
BleeqUp’s Rover sports glasses do more than just protect your eyes. An AI-powered tilt camera films and edits your ride automatically, while audio prompts warn you of upcoming curves and inclines before you hit them. Built-in speakers let you listen to music and take calls without blocking out the road.
$459 (available now)
Philips Hue Liane 360° rope light
The Philips Hue smart rope light looks like a neon sign but bends like a strip light. You can shape it, hang it or wrap it however you like. OmniGlow technology delivers even 360-degree light across its full length, with 16 million colors and seamless gradient blending. You can even control everything from the Hue app.
$400 (available now)
Sonos Ace Ultra headphones
The Sonos Ace Ultra delivers rich, detailed audio with noise cancellation and up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC running. That’s a full work week without reaching for a charger. It can also connect directly to your Sonos system which makes switching between speakers and headphones seamless.
$449 (available to preorder, ships later this month)
Luna Band fitness tracker
The Luna Band is the latest entry in a line of screenless fitness trackers and also a cheaper alternative to its competitors. It tracks activity, sleep, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, women’s health and more. Battery life can run up to 10 days.
$149 (available now)
Keep an eye on this page as we update it with more IFA tech you can buy.

Food

Heavy rain, surf threaten Hawaii

Hawaii will likely avoid being directly hit by Hurricane Lowell. However, the storm could still bring torrential rains, hazardous surf, and tropical storm-like conditions as it moves near the islands on Labor Day.
Lowell is expected to be a major hurricane, as it continues northwards just west of Hawaii’s main islands late on Monday Sept. 7. Officials warn that while the forecast indicates the hurricane’s center will remain offshore, even a slight eastward movement in its track can bring more powerful winds and larger impacts to Kauai.
National Hurricane Center: Hawaii residents are advised to continue watching forecasts, and should be aware of any warnings or watches issued by the National Hurricane Center as Lowell nears the Hawaiian islands.
What is the location of Hurricane Lowell?
In its most recent advisory, the National Hurricane Center stated that Lowell was still a Category 4, with sustained maximum winds of 145mph. It was forecast that the storm would turn northward and then north, before moving north and northnortheast on Sunday and Monday.
Forecast track takes the center through portions of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, before it passes just west of Hawaii’s main islands Monday night. Lowell, despite its gradual weakening forecasts, is predicted to be near hurricane strength when it is closest to Hawaii.
Hawaii: What impact could it have?
In many parts of Hawaii, heavy rainfall is forecast. 3 to 6 inch totals are expected for Kauai and Big Island. Isolated amounts may exceed 10 inches. Maui may receive up to four inches of rain, but locally the amount could be as high as eight inches. Rainfall totals between 1 and 2 inches is expected elsewhere.
Rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some areas, especially those located near mountains.
By late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning, tropical storm conditions could be present in Kauai county. Hurricane conditions may also exist across the eastern portion of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Also, coastal impacts should be expected. In Kauai, storm surges could cause water to rise up to three feet higher than normal in the county. On Oahu, it can be as high as one foot if water is at its highest during high tide. In the coming days, large waves with life-threatening currents and destructive waves are expected along many Hawaiian coastlines.
What should residents do to prepare for the winter?
Officials from the emergency services recommend that you use this weekend to complete hurricane preparations, before things start to get worse.
National Hurricane Centers and National Weather Service recommend that residents know their designated evacuation zones, do not drive through flooded streets and keep an eye on official forecasts to get the latest updates. NOAA recommends that you have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, food, medication, and water in the event of a power outage or disruption to cellular service.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT

Food

Manjit Singh Bedi arrested in India in FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters bust

First on Fox: Fox News Digital learned that the FBI is working with the Indian authorities to bring back the alleged SNAP fraud suspect.
According to the FBI, it worked closely with Indian authorities in order to arrest Bedi and actively works to bring him back to the U.S. for prosecution.
Bedi is the FBI’s fifth arrest under the Most Wanted Fraudsters Initiative, which targets those accused of serious financial crimes.
The FBI claims that five people who have been on the lam for nearly 4,000 days were arrested after the launch of the program in June. They are accused collectively of fraud totaling more than $2.4 billion.
FBI NABS $547M ALLEGED MEDICARE FUGITIVE, THIRD CAPTAIN FROM “MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS” LIST
The FBI says the arrest of the latest fraudster demonstrates the FBI’s efforts to track down alleged criminals who have fled abroad in order to avoid prosecution.
The FBI’s Kash Patel said that the capture of five most wanted fraudsters in only three months was a “historic success” for this program.
The days of abusing American taxpayers with no consequences are gone.
Bedi is accused by federal investigators of defrauding the U.S. Government out at least $600,000 through a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud scheme, between March 2024 to June 2025 while running an Asian grocery in Tacoma Washington.
EXCLUSIVE: FBI ADDS ALLEGED COVID FRAUDSTER ACCUSED OF TAKING $5M FROM KIDS’ MEAL PROGRAM TO MOST WANTED LIST
Bedi, according to the FBI’s investigation, swiped SNAP beneficiaries’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT), gave them cash in lieu of food and retained roughly half the benefits.
According to the FBI, after being charged with wire fraud, SNAP fraud, and SNAP benefit fraud, Bedi had to give up his passport, and stay in Washington State while he awaited court proceedings.
According to investigators, he drove over the Canadian border and fled into India. On May 21, 2026, a federal arrest warrant was issued for him. It charged him with violation of the terms and conditions of his released.
FBI offered up to $150k for any information that led to Bedi being arrested and convicted. According to the FBI, Bedi was a naturalized U.S. Citizen who lived in India prior to his arrest.
According to Fox News Digital, Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald from the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division said: “This arrest in India proves that the Justice Department’s reach extends around the globe.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APP
The Fraud Division and the FBI will work together to make sure fraudsters such as Bedi, are brought to justice no matter how they conceal themselves.

Food

I Went Shopping for My Ultimate Smart Home of the Future at IFA 2026

IFA 2026, the Berlin tech conference, is packed with all sorts of gadgets, including new folding phones, alarm clocks, and flying car concepts. The IFA 2026 tech conference in Berlin is dominated by home technology. Brands from around the globe gather to show you the many ways you can integrate smart gadgets into your home.
In search of items that would make life more fun, colorful, and expensive, I walked the aisles to find the things I’d most like to have in my home, if only I won the lottery.
LG OLED EVO AI 8W6
The TV was the first thing I tackled. The LG OLED TV was the one I chose because of its size, color vibrancy, and thinness. It will look great when it is mounted on my wall.
Govee Smart Lights
Govee smart lights can change that. My couch does not have the underlighting of a Fast and the Furious car, but they could. The couch I saw had multicolored stripes along its underside. It gave off a glowing effect that would make any living room seem like an arcade. Delightful.
iGulu F1 Smart Home Brewer
This smart home brewery would be my top priority. I love beer and even better, I don’t have to leave the house to get it. Pour in your ingredients to make any type of beer. Classic English Bitter (Sure, please) Please. The brewery will take care of the rest.
They were absolutely delicious. I tried a sampler cup.
Xiaomi Mijia Refrigerator Pro Cryo
Xiaomi’s refrigerator would be the perfect choice if I had made beer. The refrigerator uses airflow and compression to cool the food and keep it fresher longer. This is great because you can use the large amount of cucumbers that are left before they turn into a mess at the bottom. Nice.
Xiaomi Smart Bedroom
Xiaomi had quite a few products on display, as they make almost every type of technology product. The way that everything was integrated into an ecosystem impressed me the most at the show. The smart bedroom demonstration had me sit down with a good book on my bed. AI enabled cameras immediately recognized my reading and switched on the lamp at the side of the bed, adjusted the position of the bed to make it comfortable, activated the AC, and closed the curtains.
You can automate all the parts of your home by doing this: Have you loaded the dishwasher yet? After you have cooked, the robot vacuum cleaner will clean your floor. You want to open the car door for Xiaomi in your garage? The car will recognize when you are leaving, and turn off all the lights and close the door.
The system is a bit wild, but I do see its appeal. It also depends on AI-enabled camera systems watching your every move in the home. Would I want this? No way! Thank you anyway.
Roborock Rockaqua P1
In an ideal world I would have enough money to buy a house with enough space to construct my own swimming pool. Then I would need to keep it clean, without having to do any work myself. This is where Roborock’s robot pool cleaner comes into play.
Imagine it like a Roomba, but with the ability to go underwater. The cleaner will remove dirt from the floor of the pool and even the walls.
IFA bumper cars
The classic fairground bumper car isn’t the most advanced technology for your home, but I enjoyed them at the show. When I thought more about it, they could be the perfect urban vehicle. They are powered by electricity and run on overhead powerlines, so there is no need to recharge them. And, because of their safety, you can even ram into someone and not have to worry about exchanging insurance information.
Mova Astra X
Mova’s robotic lawn mower has an attached large arm that picks up debris from the garden as it automatically rounds the yard of your house to keep everything neat. Mova used it better at the show, with a fan dance to an electronic-metal track from a DJ. I’m in.
Neakasa M9 litter box
My cat Toulouse is the most beautiful, fluffy and wonderful thing in my life. Even so, the time I spend cleaning out his litter box every day is better spent with him.
Neakasa’s litter box is equipped with a rotating scoop that removes each new bit of icky and deposit the mess into a chute to be easily removed later. Thanks, technology.
Birdfy Feeder Metal 2
Birdfy has created a home gadget that is much cuter than “Feeder Metal 2”, which sounds more like an old-school side-scrolling beat-em up game on the Atari console from the 1980s. This bird feeder is equipped with wide-angle cameras that will notify you when a bird enters for food. It also uses AI technology to identify the species.
Birds are my favorite animals. The live video feed of the cameras would be a great way to see the birds in Britain eating the seeds I purchased without saying thank you.
EcoFlow Stream 5000
EcoFlow is the best option for me. Stream 5000 can be plugged in with multiple solar panels and has an integrated inverter that feeds the power into your grid. You can use multiple units to provide power for several days in the event of a longer-lasting outage.

Food

Hurricane Lowell to make sharp turn, close call. Forecast updates

The path of Hurricane Lowell neared the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday, September 5. On Labor Day, the storm is expected to reach Kauai, an island in western Hawaii, with winds of 150 mph. The hurricane’s center is predicted to pass Kauai.
National Hurricane Center: The National Hurricane Center forecasts that the storm will slow down and then turn abruptly to the north or north-northeast by Sunday, September 6, before it accelerates.
The hurricane center stated that Lowell will be “near hurricane strength” when it makes closest approach to Hawaii. Major hurricanes have winds exceeding 111 miles per hour. Category 4, 5 and 6 storms fall into this category.
The National Weather Service, Honolulu stated that “any deviation eastwards from the forecast track may bring severe wind impacts to Kauai County, in particular.” On Sept. 5, the weather service will discuss whether or not to issue potential warnings and watches.
What is the current location of Hurricane Lowell?
At 5 am Hawaii time, on September 5, Lowell’s center was approximately 625 miles to the south-southwest from Honolulu. It was also 630 miles to the south-southwest from Lihue in Kauai. It was a Category 4, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 150mph.
On Friday, September 4, the hurricane was briefly re-classified as a Category 5, with winds up to 160 mph. It is possible that the intensity will fluctuate through Sunday, September 6.
Lowell has hurricane force winds that extend up to 60 mile from its center. Tropical storm forces winds can extend up to 160miles.
Lowell, how close is he to Hawaii?
At 11 am, the Hurricane Center announced that the models were gaining a better understanding of Lowell’s route near the islands. ET, Sept. 5,
The majority of model guidance indicates that the center of circulation will move 100-200 nautical miles west of Kauai, on September 7. The hurricane center shifted the forecast slightly to the east because the two models which have done well in Lowell’s case are on the eastern edge of the guidance.
Hawaii rain forecast for Lowell
The National Weather Service, Honolulu said that “heavy rain is expected to affect most islands during Lowell’s passage.” The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasts rain on the southern slopes of Maui, the Big Island and Oahu as soon as September 6, then Kauai the next morning.
The hurricane center stated that Lowell will produce rainfall amounts between 3 and 6 inches. Maximum totals could exceed 10 inches for Kauai or the Big Island. Maui is likely to receive 2 to 4 inch of rainfall, but isolated totals up 8 inches are possible.
Rainfall of up to 4 inches, with a maximum of 2 inches on the other islands is possible.
The heavy rains could cause flash floods and mudslides in steep terrain areas. According to the weather service, higher rainfall amounts will be expected locally on slopes in south and southeast.
Expect rough surf as well
Hawaiian Islands are likely to be affected by swells caused by two storms on Sept. 5, Sept. 6 and in the early part of the following week.
In the coming days, swells generated by Lowell will cause dangerous surf conditions and rip-currents in some parts of the Islands. Under the influence of Hurricane Karina and Lowell, high surf advisory is in effect for the south and east facing shores of Hawaii as well as on the west side of the Big Island.
The islands will be under high-surf warnings until Saturday, September 5, as southerly swells are expected to arrive from Lowell. Meanwhile, Karina produces high waves on the east facing shores.
Weather service reports that confidence in the possibility of large surf early next week along southern and western exposed areas is increasing. The surf, which coincides with the monthly high tides will have the potential to impact coastal roads and properties, and harbors.
The weather service stated that as Karina begins to disintegrate, an easterly gale will be generated by the remains of the former hurricane Karina. This gale is likely to bring higher winds, seas and rain chances on September 7th and 8th, when it moves across the region.
Track Lowell
Watch out for the quadrant on your right.
Lowell’s projected current path shows that it will likely hit Kauai around Sept. 7th. The storm will then move the right-front quadrant of its path toward Kauai.
What is the significance of this? According to a recent Forbes magazine article by University of Georgia weather expert Marshall Shepherd, “winds, storm surges and tornadic activities tend to be more intense or predominant in the right front quadrant.”
According to Chris Dolce, a Weather.com meteorologist, the forward motion of the storm adds to the rotating wind, resulting in the strongest winds and the most severe surges and tornado threats.
How windy are the Hawaiian Islands during the year?
According to the current hurricane center forecast, there is a probability of tropical storm force winds occurring between Sept. 7 and 8. Wind chances increased when the weather forecast moved eastward on September 5.
Nihoa, 150 miles north of Kauai.
39% – Niihau
Barking Sands (westside of Kauai), 27%
15% – Lihue, Kauai
On Tuesday, the island of Nihoa has a chance of up to 53% of winds of up to 58 mph and 32% of winds of hurricane force. The chances of these higher winds for the islands Necker and Niihau is in single digits.
Safety tips for Hurricanes
Hawaii residents would do well to revisit their hurricane plans this weekend.
Weather service warns that flooding and storm surge are still the most dangerous hurricane hazards. They urge people to be aware of their escape zone, obey evacuation orders, and not drive on flooded roadways. In 2026, several storm-related deaths were linked to drivers trying to cross flooded roads.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends that you also assemble an emergency kit, which includes nonperishable foods, medicines, flashlights and batteries, as well as cash and either a hand-crank or battery-powered weather radio.
NOAA also recommends that you have multiple options to get emergency alerts, rather than just relying on your cellphone. Weather radios and emergency alert systems are among the options.