Hurricane Lowell was expected to bring significant rainfall to Hawaii on Tuesday, as its center was forecast to pass over or near Niihau, a small and sparsely populated island in the northwestern part of the state. In response, Hawaii Governor Josh Green ordered the closure of schools and government offices on Kauai and Niihau for Tuesday. These closures included community colleges and both state and county offices, and were implemented after Kauai County was placed under a hurricane warning by the National Hurricane Center. Kauai County includes the island of Kauai, which has a population of over 73,000, and Niihau, which is home to fewer than 100 people. The warning also extended to part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a vast protected area in the Pacific Ocean. The National Hurricane Center predicted that the core of Hurricane Lowell would pass over or just west of Niihau late Monday and early Tuesday. Although the storm was expected to weaken, it would still be classified as a hurricane when it reached its closest point to the islands. At one point, Lowell had been categorized as a Category 2 hurricane, with winds strong enough to cause significant damage. Governor Green emphasized that the closures would help keep people safe by reducing traffic and allowing emergency crews to focus on protecting communities. He urged residents of Kauai County to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow all emergency instructions. Additionally, he warned people to stay away from shorelines, avoid driving through floodwaters, prepare for possible power outages, and stay updated on the storm’s progress. A tropical storm warning was also in effect for Oahu, the most populous island in Hawaii, which is home to nearly 1 million people. Rainfall totals of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) were expected in Oahu and Maui, with as much as 12 inches (30 centimeters) forecast for parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. This comes on the heels of last month’s Tropical Storm Lala, which, although it did not make landfall, caused significant damage to the Big Island. Lala triggered landslides, washed away about 100 homes, and led to widespread power outages. The recent weather events highlight the vulnerability of Hawaii to tropical storms and hurricanes, which can cause severe impacts even without direct landfall.