Kauaʻi Marathon Canceled as Hurricane Lowell Approaches

Organizers of the 2026 Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon announced on Saturday the cancellation of this year’s sold-out event due to the approaching threat of Hurricane Lowell. The decision, described by race director Robin Jumper as a “last resort,” follows extensive consultation with the County of Kauaʻi’s emergency response agencies.

While the race was originally scheduled for Sunday at 6 a.m., organizers determined that the necessary road closures in Kōloa, Poʻipū, ʻŌmaʻo, Lāwaʻi, and Kalāheo would impede residents attempting to finalize emergency preparations. “After close consultation with the County of Kauaʻi’s emergency response agencies, we have been advised that cancellation is the only responsible option,” the event team stated in an official blog post.

This report draws on information published by kauainownews.com.

To mitigate the impact of the cancellation, the event’s production team is repurposing supplies intended for the race. Water, ice, and food supplies were made available for community pickup at the Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi group entrance between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The National Weather Service indicated that while the immediate race-day forecast suggested mostly showers after noon, the broader conditions associated with the hurricane necessitated the reallocation of public safety resources away from the event and toward emergency management. Organizers confirmed that planning for the 2027 race is already underway and urged all participants to follow official county guidance as the storm progresses.