RevoluSun Blog

When Hurricane Lowell swept past Kauaʻi in early September, it knocked out power to roughly 90% of the island. Many neighborhoods had power restored within days. Nearly two weeks later, some North Shore communities were still waiting.

The State reached out to RevoluSun for portable backup power, and our team moved quickly to send 225 BLUETTI portable power stations and 500 200W solar panels to Kauaʻi.

RevoluSun Co-Founder Eric Carlson followed them there. Instead of just shipping the units, he wanted to stand alongside the people receiving them, show them how everything works, and see firsthand what a family needs when the grid goes quiet for weeks.

Helping Families Through the Wait

By the time Eric arrived, Hanalei’s power had been restored just the day before. Farther down the road, Wainiha and Hāʻena were still in the dark.

The drive in told the story. Downed trees across the island, some still resting on power lines, and flooding had left its mark everywhere. Crews were hard at work raising utility poles and clearing roads. Gas generators had provided some relief, but there were not enough for everyone.

On the Ground in Wainiha

The BLUETTI batteries arrived Saturday, and distribution began that weekend. Eric arrived Monday morning and spent the day at the Wainiha distribution center, which had become a lifeline for residents seeking food, ice, and supplies. A medical hub was also operating on site.

As State and community groups spread the word, neighbors continued to arrive throughout the day. Eric set up a live solar panel demonstration, showed families how the panels connected to the power stations, and helped hand out and deliver units. He wanted everyone to leave knowing how to use what they had received.

For many families, the priorities were simple: keep the refrigerator running and turn on a fan. After nearly two weeks without electricity, keeping food cold and finding relief from the heat were immediate needs.

The portable power stations offered quiet backup power without fuel to haul or exhaust fumes. Paired with solar panels, they could recharge from the sun as conditions allowed, a practical option for families facing an outage with no clear end in sight.

Preparing Before the Next Storm

For Eric, the trip reinforced a lesson he first took away from Lahaina: local solar installers have a role to play in disaster response. Our knowledge of the equipment, our connections across the islands, and our ability to move supplies quickly can help bring power to communities when they need it most.

“I’m super grateful and proud of the RevoluSun team for stepping up,” Eric said. “It felt good knowing the State contacted us because they know we can deliver. We were able to get a lot of products there in a short amount of time.”

His hope is to see solar and battery storage included in disaster planning before the next storm arrives, with equipment and support at the ready when communities need them.

For Oʻahu residents, his message is direct.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” he said. “We’ve dodged a bullet so many times.”

A short outage is an inconvenience. Two weeks without electricity changes how a household stores food, stays cool, and manages everyday needs. Kauaʻi’s experience is a reminder to think through those needs now.

“You need to plan on being self-sufficient and prepared, because help takes time,” Eric said. “Look at Kauaʻi. Look at the Big Island. These things are happening.”

With hurricane season still underway, now is a good time to consider what backup power would help your household through an extended outage. Whether you rent, live in a condo, or own a home, our team can help you explore portable BLUETTI power stations, rooftop solar with battery storage, or a combination of both.

Visit our showroom at SALT at Our Kakaʻako or explore our BLUETTI options to learn more.

Mahalo to the Kauaʻi community for welcoming us, and to the crews, volunteers, and community organizations continuing the work of recovery.