Lanai harbor damaged by Hurricane Lowell, reopening expected Sunday
Lanai's main supply link is broken after Hurricane Lowell tore up the harbor, a serious problem for an island that gets nearly everything by barge.
- Storm surge blew a hole in the road into the harbor and knocked loose the concrete blocks protecting it.
- At least two shipping containers fell into the water near the barge dock and have to be pulled out.
- Crews working with the Army Corps of Engineers aim to have the harbor running again in about a week.
- Until then, food and supplies are being flown to the island by air cargo.
- State officials are now asking how to keep remote communities fed next time, floating ideas like stockpiling canned goods locally and lining up airlines in advance.
Outlook: Once the harbor reopens, fuel shipments go to the front of the line, and the damage is likely to push Hawaii toward tougher infrastructure and better disaster plans for its smaller islands.