Verizon responds to Hurricane Nolo following Hurricane Lowell recovery

• We are donating an additional $25,000 to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund.
• Recent grants build on the donation following Hurricane Lala.
• This investment addresses the cumulative impacts of recent severe storms and hurricanes.

Verizon is deepening its ongoing support for Hawaiʻi with a dedicated investment through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. Building on our prior relief efforts, additional grants totaling $25,000 will go to the Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. This support is intended to address the cumulative impacts of Hurricanes Nolo, Lala, Lowell and the series of storms so far this year.

“The communities across Hawaiʻi are incredibly strong, but the toll of an especially active hurricane season has severely tested their endurance this year,” said Rudy Reyes, Regional Vice President of State Government Affairs for Verizon. “When natural disasters compound one after another, recovery requires deep, ongoing civic partnership. Through our continued work with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Verizon is proud to help the people of Hawaiʻi, ensuring neighborhoods have the sustained support necessary to weather whatever comes next.”

Verizon’s grant will support the dedicated fund designed to support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience. Verizon is proud to continue to work with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, building on our previous support of $15,000 for relief efforts following Hurricane Lala and the 2023 Lahaina Fires.

“We are deeply grateful to Verizon for its partnership with Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and its support of the vision behind Stronger Hawaiʻi. It is this kind of collaboration that demonstrates the power of investing in our people and our communities to build a more resilient Hawaiʻi. Through trusted partnerships like these, we protect the home we love and ensure that no one has to face challenges alone. Compassion for one another is at the heart of this work because Hawaiʻi is strongest when we prepare for tomorrow by standing together today,” said Terry George, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation CEO & President.

• Verizon network remains strong in wake of Hurricane Nolo.
• We are offering relief to our Consumer, Value and Small Business customers.
• For Verizon branded Authorized Retailer store hours of operation, please check our store locator page.

Verizon’s network held up well in the wake of Hurricane Nolo.

• Prepping for another storm: Verizon engineering teams are monitoring conditions 24/7, keeping backup generators fueled, and staging mobile assets across the islands as Hurricane Nolo nears Hawaiʻi following the completion of Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts.
• On-the-ground support: Additional members from our Dedicated Impact Response Team (DIRT) will be deployed to the Big Island to support potential recovery efforts. 
• Relief offer in place: To ensure there’s one less thing to worry about, Verizon is waiving charges for calling, texting and data use for its postpaid, Value and Small Business customers through Oct. 7 for the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Verizon stores: For Verizon branded Authorized Retailer store hours, please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.

HONOLULU, HI.—Verizon is preparing its network as Hurricane Nolo approaches Hawaiʻi in the coming days. With Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts complete, network teams have shifted to active storm preparation across the islands.

To ensure there’s one less thing for customers to worry about, Verizon is waiving domestic call, text, and data charges for Verizon prepaid ^*  and postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers ^**  in the entire state of Hawaiʻi September 26–October 7, 2026. This is in addition to our existing offer in place for customers across Kauaʻi through October 7, 2026. 

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. Any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be automatically credited back.

“The people of Hawaiʻi have shown remarkable strength and resilience through every challenge faced this year. With Hurricane Nolo approaching, our highest priority is keeping families, local businesses, and first responders connected,” said Aimee Novak, West Area President for Verizon.

Network infrastructure in Hawaiʻi is engineered to withstand severe weather. Verizon is also working directly with local power companies, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and state public safety officials. The company remains on constant standby to safeguard critical communications.

As this next storm approaches, Verizon is taking additional steps to maintain network resilience:

• Continuous backup power: Permanent site generators across the islands have been topped off with multi-day fuel reserves. Portable generators are on standby in the event of extended commercial power loss.

• Mobile & satellite deployment: Verizon has satellite assets and mobile network equipment staged and ready to deploy as conditions allow. These resources support communities impacted by power loss or fiber disruptions

• Additional on-the-ground support: Our specialized Dedicated Impact Response Team, or DIRT, is an elite-level of network engineers and technicians trained to rapidly restore wireless infrastructure following major emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms. DIRT is already on the ground following storms Lala and Lowell. As a precaution, Verizon will deploy additional DIRT personnel to the Big Island. These members will support recovery efforts if needed.

• Emergency messaging readiness: While Verizon’s network is built to handle the unexpected, satellite communications provide backup if terrestrial services fail. Verizon encourages customers to test and familiarize themselves with emergency satellite messaging features before the storm makes landfall. Compatible devices include iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18+, Google Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25 or newer.

Verizon will continue monitoring this storm 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.

In addition to preparing your device for satellite messaging, customers are urged to update their personal digital preparedness plans.

1. Charge up early: Keep all mobile devices, tablets, and portable power banks fully charged well before storm watches or warnings are issued for your location.
2. 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.
3. Establish a communication plan: Coordinate a dedicated ohana (family) emergency plan and save key emergency contact numbers directly to your devices.
4. Check on your kūpuna (elders): To ensure their devices are charged and they have an emergency communication plan in place.
5. 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.
6. Utilize digital resources: Download critical weather tracking, news, and American Red Cross safety apps ahead of time.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Keep track of equipment: Maintain an inventory of all corporate hardware deployed to remote employees to streamline claims for potential loss or damage.
10. The right tech makes an impact: Secure the mobile-ready technology and infrastructure needed to maintain business connectivity if you are forced to relocate.
11.  Have a backup plan: Establish a protocol to immediately reroute workloads if remote employees lose power or face evacuation.

For the most up-to-date information on Verizon branded Authorized Retailer store hours of operation, please check our store locator page. Store hours may fluctuate.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves, check back here regularly for the latest information.