In alignment with Gov. Josh Green’s directive, the County of Hawaiʻi announces that all non-emergency County operations are suspended on Monday, Aug. 17 in the wake of Hurricane Lala.
All emergency and recovery operations associated with this weather event will continue. Residents whose residential or commercial property was damaged by Lala should report the damage to Civil Defense to assist in directing resources. Those who need food, shelter or other storm-related needs should complete a Request for Assistance at http://bit.ly/vh-rfa.
County transfer stations and landfills that are normally scheduled to be open on Monday will be open, except for transfer stations in Pāhala, Wai‘ōhinu, and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, which are inaccessible. To assist cleanup efforts, transfer stations in Waimea, Kealakehe, Keauhou will accept green waste daily this week.
“The impacts of Hurricane Lala are severe, and we continue to work around the clock to ensure the health and safety of our community,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “This closure will allow everyone to continue focusing on emergency response and recovery efforts.”
The closure includes all County beaches, parks and parks facilities. With the exception of Paratransit Transportation Services, all Hele-on bus routes will remain suspended tomorrow.
For State of Hawai‘i closures on Monday, such as State Department of Education schools, visit https://portal.ehawaii.gov.
Response and Recovery Efforts
The impacts of Hurricane Lala on the County of Hawai‘i were widespread, leading to a record number of reported power outages and road closures across the island.
The Hawai‘i Fire Department and the Hawai‘i National Guard continued search and rescue operations on Sunday in Nāʻālehu, Wai‘ohinu and Pāhala, responding to 911 calls and conducting systematic checks of neighborhoods heavily impacted by flooding. At the request of the County, the Hawai‘i National Guard brought in additional resources Sunday to support the continued recovery efforts.
There is a joint agency effort between County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works, State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Hawai‘i Army National Guard, and Hawaiian Electric Company to regain access and power to areas impacted by severe weather.
Department of Water Supply has issued a reminder requesting all Hawaii Island customers to cut back on the use of water to "Essential Only." Click here for information: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4633/720.
For an updated list of road closures, visit the County of Hawaii Hazard Map: Hazard Impact Map.
For Hawaiian Electric information and reporting, visit: Home | Hawaiian Electric.
Shelters and Human Services
Two emergency shelters remain open at Nāʻālehu Elementary School and Robert N. Herkes Gym (Ka‘u District Gym). There are currently 43 shelter occupants. The Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center has stood up a human services branch that is coordinating with several nonprofit community partners to provide food and other services to shelter occupants and vulnerable populations.
Report Damage
If you sustained property damage, or you and your household need help as a result of Hurricane Lala, please report it to Civil Defense and its partners.
Damage reports can be submitted at the following link – Bit.ly/CDDisasterRecovery – or by calling Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.
To report agricultural damage, call the USDA Farm Service Agency at (808) 933-8334.
Your reporting of damages will help Civil Defense to better understand the magnitude of impact caused by Hurricane Lala, and document it for potential future assistance to recover and reduce the harm caused by future storms.
