Verizon Waives Charges for Hurricane Lowell, Prepares Network in Hawai'i
Verizon is waiving charges on Kaua’i and reinforcing its Hawai’i network to support connectivity during Major Hurricane Lowell.
Rhea-AI Summary
Verizon (VZ) will waive domestic calling, texting and data charges for consumer and small business wireless customers on Kaua’i from now through September 14, 2026, as Major Hurricane Lowell approaches Hawai’i.
The waiver covers prepaid and postpaid customers, including value brands where service end dates are being extended. Verizon has prepared its Hawai’i network with fully refueled permanent generators, portable backup power, and satellite assets, and is coordinating with Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency, local utilities and public safety officials. The company also highlights satellite messaging options for compatible devices and provides digital preparedness tips for residents and businesses, while offering real-time network status tools and an online Emergency Resource Center.
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At a glance
- Customer relief offer: We are waiving calling, texting and data charges on Kaua’i to help our consumer and small business customers connect with loved ones.
- Strengthened network infrastructure: We have prepared our Hawai’i network with backup generators, satellite assets, and pre-staged equipment designed for reliability during severe weather.
- Satellite messaging: Verizon customers can maintain essential communications via satellite, allowing compatible phones to send text messages or connect with emergency services.
- Proactive collaboration: We are working directly with the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), local power providers, and public safety officials to support critical infrastructure.
- Customer resources: We offer essential digital preparedness steps to help residents and businesses stay connected and secure ahead of the storm.
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Major Hurricane Lowell approaches Hawai'i, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data charges. This relief offer applies through September 14 for prepaid* and postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers** throughout Kaua’i.
Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer.
In addition, Verizon has taken proactive, on-the-ground measures across the islands to protect connectivity. The company's focus: keeping customers, local businesses and public safety partners connected when it matters most.
“We know how stressful it is for the people of Hawaiʻi to brace for yet another storm,” said Aimee Novak, West Area President for Verizon. “Our commitment to this community is enduring and our focus right now is keeping you connected to the people and services that matter most. With Hurricane Lowell approaching, our response teams remain fully activated, and we owe a massive thank you to the local crews working around the clock to support this community once again.”
Verizon’s network preparation strategy for Hawai’i
Verizon’s network infrastructure in Hawai’i is engineered to withstand severe weather. A significant portion is backed by fully refueled permanent site generators providing multiple days of backup power reserves. At sites without permanent generators, we have portable generators and other backup solutions available for deployment. To further reinforce operational resilience against potential disruptions, Verizon engineers have satellite assets available to dispatch as needed.
Verizon is working directly with local power companies, the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and state public safety officials. The company remains on constant standby to safeguard critical communications.
How residents and businesses can prepare now
Hurricane Lowell is the third tropical system this year to threaten the state, but with the size and strength of this storm, it’s especially important residents finalize their personal digital preparedness plans:
- Charge devices: Keep all mobile devices, tablets, and portable power banks fully charged well before storm watches or warnings are issued for your location.
- Protect your gear: Place phones, chargers, and external batteries in waterproof accessories or heavy-duty zip-lock bags to safeguard them against floodwaters or rain.
- Establish a communication plan: Coordinate a dedicated ohana (family) emergency plan and save key emergency contact numbers directly to your devices.
- Check on your kūpuna (elders): To ensure their devices are charged and they have an emergency communication plan in place.
- Secure visual backups: Take photos of your home, vehicle, and valuables for insurance purposes. Ensure these images are uploaded to the cloud so you can access them even if your phone is lost or damaged.
- Utilize digital resources: Download critical weather tracking, news, and American Red Cross safety apps ahead of time.
- Mitigate customer disruption: List critical software, equipment, service contracts and vital contacts (utilities, vendors, authorities) needed to maintain operations. Review coverage with your insurance agent to eliminate gaps.
- Contacts and documents are key: Centralize updated contact info for all staff (including remote and satellite offices) and keep accessible, secure copies of your insurance policies.
- Keep track of equipment: Maintain an inventory of all corporate hardware deployed to remote employees to streamline claims for potential loss or damage.
- The right tech makes an impact: Secure the mobile-ready technology and infrastructure needed to maintain business connectivity if you are forced to relocate.
- Have a backup plan: Establish a protocol to immediately reroute workloads if remote employees lose power or face evacuation.
Should terrestrial services become unavailable, Verizon encourages customers with compatible satellite-enabled devices (such as iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18+, or Google Pixel 9 or newer) to test emergency satellite messaging features before the storm begins to cause impacts.
Verizon will continue monitoring Hurricane Lowell and will provide local network status updates as necessary. Customers can track real-time network status using the Check Network Status tool on Verizon’s website or directly within the My Verizon mobile app.
Visit the Emergency Resource Center for further details on Verizon’s emergency response capabilities.
*For Value customers impacted, we are extending the service end dates. This includes customers across Verizon’s value brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Walmart Family Mobile, Page Plus, Simple Mobile, SafeLink Wireless, and Net10 Wireless.
**Verizon small business customers include customers with 50 lines or less.
This announcement was originally published by Verizon. Read the original press release.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media contacts:
Pete Burd
pete.burd@verizon.com
Meagan Dorsch
meagan.dorsch@verizon.com
FAQ
What customer charges is Verizon (VZ) waiving in response to Hurricane Lowell in Hawaiʻi?
Verizon is waiving domestic calling, texting and data charges for prepaid and postpaid consumer and small business wireless customers on Kaua’i. The relief applies automatically and is intended to help customers stay connected during Major Hurricane Lowell.
Which Verizon (VZ) customers in Hawaiʻi are eligible for the Hurricane Lowell charge waiver?
The waiver applies to prepaid and postpaid consumer customers and small business customers with 50 lines or less throughout Kaua’i. For customers on Verizon’s value brands, service end dates are being extended as part of the relief measures.
How long does Verizon’s Hurricane Lowell billing relief last for Kaua’i customers of VZ?
The billing relief period runs through September 14, 2026. During this time, eligible Verizon consumer and small business wireless customers on Kaua’i will not be billed for domestic calls, texts or data usage, and do not need to take any action to receive the waiver.
What network preparations has Verizon (VZ) made in Hawaiʻi for Hurricane Lowell?
Verizon reports that much of its Hawai’i network is backed by fully refueled permanent generators, with portable generators and other backup power available where needed. Engineers also have satellite assets ready for deployment and are working with HIEMA, local power companies and public safety officials.
Can Verizon (VZ) customers in Hawaiʻi use satellite messaging during Hurricane Lowell?
Yes. Verizon encourages customers with compatible satellite-enabled devices such as iPhone 14 or newer on iOS 18+ and Google Pixel 9 or newer to test emergency satellite messaging before impacts begin. These devices can send text messages or connect with emergency services if terrestrial service is unavailable.
What preparedness tips does Verizon (VZ) offer Hawaiʻi residents and businesses ahead of Hurricane Lowell?
Verizon advises residents and businesses to charge devices and power banks, protect equipment in waterproof bags, set up a family communication plan, check on elders, and photograph valuables for cloud backup. Businesses are urged to document critical systems, maintain staff contacts and plan for workload rerouting.
How can Verizon (VZ) customers in Hawaiʻi check network status during Hurricane Lowell?
Customers can monitor real-time network conditions using Verizon’s Check Network Status tool on its website or within the My Verizon mobile app. Additional information on emergency response capabilities is available through Verizon’s online Emergency Resource Center.