Update on Hurricane Lane: Wainiha-Hā‘ena Residents Reminded to Evacuate and Seek Shelter & General Information

Update on Hurricane Lane: Wainiha-Hā‘ena residents reminded to evacuate and seek shelter

Government officials continue to monitor Hurricane Lane as it approaches the island chain and slowly moves towards Kaua‘i.

“We are still expecting heavy rains that could lead to flash flooding or other hazardous conditions,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “North Shore residents, particularly the Wainiha-Hā‘ena area, are being encouraged to evacuate low-lying or flood-prone areas and to seek shelter before Kūhiō Highway closes following the 11 p.m. convoy tonight.”

Officials are announcing the following updates.

CURRENT WEATHER NOTICE

A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Kaua‘i County as of 5 a.m. Wednesday. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the possible onset of hurricane conditions.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest forecast anticipates that Kaua‘i County could feel effects of the storm – such as heavy rain, high surf, and strong winds – as early as Thursday night. NWS reports that as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Hurricane Lane is moving northwest at 7 mph. A slow northward motion is expected to begin Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday. A turn toward the west is expected Saturday and Sunday, with an increase in forward speed, according to the NWS.

A High Surf Warning for all south-facing shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau is currently in effect through 6 p.m. Friday. The warning may be extended or modified as conditions develop. Beachgoers are urged to heed all posted warnings and advisories, and stay completely out of the water on all south-facing shores. Spectators are also advised to use extreme caution, as large breaking waves could make it dangerous for those standing along the shoreline.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Kaua‘i through Saturday morning. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that leads to flash flooding. Residents and visitors should monitor the weather and be prepared to take action in the event that a Flash Flood Warning is issued.

SHELTERS

American Red Cross shelters are currently open at the Kīlauea Gym, Kīlauea Elementary School, and the Church of the Pacific in Princeville.

There are currently no other shelters being opened at this time. However, more shelters may be opened on an as-needed basis. Please do not report to any of the other shelters until an announcement has been made that they are open.

To view a map of all open and closed shelters, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA.

Those who plan to go to a shelter should bring their own food, water, medicine, bedding and any other items they may need while away from home.

Persons with special needs should know that shelter staff can only provide basic first aid. Individuals with special needs must bring their caregivers, medications, supplies and equipment to the shelter if they cannot safely shelter at home.

Additionally, residents are reminded that hospitals and emergency rooms are not available for shelter. They are only available for people with emergencies or critical health needs.

Household pets must be brought and kept in a pet carrier or cage at all shelter locations. Owners must provide their own water, food and supplies for their pets, and will be expected to care for their own animals.

WAINIHA-HĀ‘ENA WATER SHUTDOWN REMINDER

The Department of Water (DOW) has announced a water service shutdown for customers located along a portion of Kūhiō Highway in Hā‘ena, from Mānoa Stream to Kē‘ē Beach, including all private connecting roads. The shutdown started at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, and will be in place until further notice.

Water service has been turned off in the selected area to prevent possible damage to the system in preparation for the expected severe weather conditions.

WAINIHA-HĀ‘ENA VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS

With the possibility of tropical storm force winds and heavy rains potentially impacting the isolated Wainiha-Hā‘ena community, officials are advising all Wainiha-Hā‘ena residents to evacuate the area by Thursday, Aug. 23.

Those who choose to shelter in place should be prepared with at least 14 days of provisions and medications.

Please refer to other sections in this news release for relevant information about emergency preparedness and current updates.

CONVOY SCHEDULE FOR KŪHIŌ HIGHWAY IN WAINIHA

The state Department of Transportation has announced that the convoy on Kūhiō Highway, for limited local access to the Wainiha-Hā‘ena area, will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Thursday, Aug. 23.

In preparation for the storm, Kūhiō Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, will close completely after the 11 p.m. convoy on Thursday, Aug. 23, and will reopen weather permitting.

The Sunday/Holiday convoy schedule can be found on the county’s “Flood Recovery” page at www.kauai.gov.

WAINIHA-HĀ‘ENA TRASH PICKUP SERVICES

Refuse collection for the Wainiha-Hā‘ena area will occur on Thursday, Aug. 23, instead of the normally scheduled Friday pickup.

The temporary transfer station at Kepuhi Point in Wainiha is open today, Thursday, Aug. 23, and will be closed on Friday, Aug. 24.

SCHOOLS

The state Department of Education has announced that all Kaua‘i public schools will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23, and Friday, Aug. 24.

Additionally, all after-school activities and programs including inter-scholastic athletic events have been cancelled statewide for the remainder of this week and will resume on Monday, Aug. 27.

Visit the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) website, http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org, and social media, https://www.facebook.com/HIDOE808 and https://twitter.com/HIDOE808, for the latest information on school closures. Parents should make sure that their contact information on file with their child’s school is up-to-date, and that they understand the school’s closure notification procedure.

USPS INFO

The U.S. Postal Service announced that mail will be delivered but all post offices will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23. There will be no mail pickup from the blue USPS mail boxes. Officials are closely monitoring the storm and will make additional decisions regarding adjustments to postal operations as needed.

COUNTY AND STATE OFFICE CLOSURES

The U.S. Postal Service announced that mail will be delivered but all post offices will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23. There will be no mail pickup from the blue USPS mail boxes. Officials are closely monitoring the storm and will make additional decisions regarding adjustments to postal operations as needed.

COUNTY AND STATE OFFICE CLOSURES

All non-essential county and state offices will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23 and Friday, Aug. 24.

KAUA‘I BUS SCHEDULE

The Kaua‘i Bus will operate on a normal schedule on Thursday, Aug. 23, with the exception of all Hanalei routes which have been cancelled as of approximately 11:50 a.m. due to uncertain weather conditions.

All bus services and routes will be closed on Friday, Aug. 23.

RECYCLING UPDATES

HI-5 Redemption Centers operated by Kaua‘i Community Recycling Services will be closed for storm preparation starting Thursday, Aug. 23. Impacted sites are: Kapa‘a, in Arzadon industrial; Kōloa, next to the fire station, Kīlauea, behind Kaua‘i Mini Golf; and Kekaha, across from the old mill.

HI-5 Redemption Centers operated by Reynolds Recycling will be closed for storm preparation starting Thursday, Aug. 23. Impacted sites are: Līhu‘e, Nawiliwili Harbor; and Kapahi, behind Menehune Food Mart.

Services will resume as conditions improve.

The public is encouraged to hold on to their non- HI-5 recyclables at this time, as the Kaua‘i Recycles drop bins are filling up faster than the contractor can service them.

The mobile eWaste collection events that were scheduled for Hanapēpē and Kīlauea this weekend are cancelled.

For more information or questions, call 241-4841.

REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS AND COLLECTION SERVICES

Normal residential refuse collection will be in service on Thursday, Aug. 23. There will be no residential refuse collection service on Friday, Aug. 24.

All refuse transfer stations, including the Kekaha Landfill, will be open on Thursday, Aug. 23. Operating hours for transfer stations and the landfill on Friday, Aug. 24, will be open weather permitting. Updates will be provided when new information is available.

PARK CLOSURES

The following federal, state, and county park closures have been announced:

– Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed.

– Hā‘ena State Park remains closed due to the April flood.

– Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park remains closed due to the April flood.

– Black Pot Beach Park remains closed due to the April flood.

– All camping in Kaua‘i state parks are being cancelled, and all state parks are closed starting Thursday, Aug. 23.

– All Kaua‘i DOFAW lands, including forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Na Ala Hele trails have been closed as of Thursday, Aug. 23.

– County Department of Parks and Recreation advises that all county parks will close upon issuance of a Hurricane- or Tropical Storm Warning. Closures will be announced.

BEACHES

Ocean Safety officials announced that the Hā‘ena and Kē‘ē lifeguard towers are closed today, Aug. 23, and until further notice.

CANCELLATION NOTICES:

Due to anticipated weather conditions, the West Kaua‘i Community Plan Open House in Kaumakani scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 23, has been cancelled. A notice will be sent when the open house has been rescheduled.

SUNSHINE MARKET CLOSURES

The following Sunshine Market locations will be closed this week:

– Thursday, Aug. 23: Kīlauea and Hanapēpē

– Friday, Aug. 24: Vidinha Stadium in Līhu‘e

– Saturday, Aug. 25: Kekaha Neighborhood Center

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A WEATHER EMERGENCY

· Emergency Preparedness Kits – Emergency preparedness kits should contain at least a 14-day supply of food and water (to include non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day). Kits should also include a battery powered radio, flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines and other items specific to individual and family needs. Set aside an emergency supply of any needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster.

· Check Your Property – Walk your property, checking for small outdoor items that could be picked up by high winds, and check for potential flood threats. If time and conditions permit, clear your gutters and other drainage systems.

· Make an Action Plan – Discuss with family members what you plan to do if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Make an action plan, which should include details such as whether your family will shelter in place or evacuate to a shelter. Please see “Shelter” section above for more information.

· Visitor Information – Visitors are urged to confirm flight arrangements with their airlines prior to heading to the airport. Visitors should review the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s travel safety tips at http://www.travelsmarthawaii.com. A copy of their brochure can also be downloaded from the site.

· Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative – KIUC members should prepare for potential storm impacts and possible power outages. For more information on preparing for a power outage, visit http://website.kiuc.coop/.

· Kaua‘i Department of Water – DOW officials advise that during a weather emergency, strong winds and/or flooding can disrupt electrical power to DOW pumps and equipment, road-access to water sources, and may impact water quality. For more information on preparedness tips for a water emergency, please visit www.kauaiwater.org.

· Stay Tuned – Continue to stay tuned to local media broadcast channels for the most up-to-date information. The following provides a list of important resources on emergency preparedness.

o Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency – www.kauai.gov/kema

o NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center – http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/

o National Weather Service – www.weather.gov/hawaii, or automated weather line at 245-6001.

o Blackboard Connect (The county’s free emergency notification service) – Sign up at www.kauai.gov/kema, or call the KEMA at 241-1800.