HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR043018KEMA204,
BERNARDP. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 30, 2018
ELTON LISHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
Tel (808) 241-1800
Fax (808) 241-1860
4 P.M. APRIL 30 UPDATE:
Motor Vehicle Registration deadline extended for isolated Wainiha-Ha`ena
residents
Isolated residents in the Wainiha and Ha'ena area who missed the Motor Vehicle
Registration deadline on April 30 will have until May 31 to renew their registrations without a fee.
In order to verify their eligibility, vehicle owners are required to have the following:
• A registration address in Wainiha or H5'ena; and/or
• A utility bill or other mail showing your name and eligible Wainhiha or Ha'ena address.
Additionally, vehicle owners from the affected areas will also need to fill out a declaration
attesting to their inability to pay on time as a result of the road closures.
Starting on Tuesday, May 1, a shuttle service will be provided for isolated Wainea-H5'ena
residents to Hanalei and Kilauea. Residents will be issued a day -only pass that is good for any
county bus across the island once they are transported from Wainiha. Passes are limited to a
first -come, first -served basis and are available from 1 to 7 p.m. daily from Mike Dahilig at the
County of Kaua'i office at the Hanalei Colony Resort a day prior to traveling.
One outbound route will leave the Wainiha checkpoint daily at 6 a.m., while one return
route leaves the Kilauea post office at 6 p.m. Large items are not allowed on the bus, but
residents may bring two grocery -sized bags.
Community meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. starting tonight at K61oa Neighborhood
Center, Wednesday at Anahola Clubhouse, and Thursday at Hanalei Elementary School.
To request an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid
support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact the Kaua'i
Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 241-1800 or
kerna(@_kauai.gov.
The State's monthly test of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with
the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 11:45 a.m.
The warning sirens are used to alert the public to emergencies. During this monthly test,
all warning sirens will sound a one -minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). There will be no
exercise or drill accompanying the test.
The Attention Alert Signal informs residents to turn on a radio or television for information
and instruction for an impending emergency, or if in a coastal inundation area, evacuate to
higher ground. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense
agencies to report siren operation issues on Kaua'i at 241-1800.
The following information provides the current status updates.
County's Point of Contact in Wainiha: Planning Director Michael Dahilig remains the
county's point of contact stationed in Wainiha. He is available daily at the Camp Naue fuel
distribution point from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Hanalei Colony Resort.
Current Road Closures and Repairs:
• Kuhio Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, remains closed to the public as crews
work to clear multiple landslides. HDOT has opened a one -lane emergency access to
Wainiha and H5'ena, exclusively for designated emergency responders and coordinated
disaster recovery operations.
• For residents affected by the Kahiliholo Road closure in Kilauea, an emergency access
road has been opened for local traffic only through the privately owned Common Ground
and Wai Koa Guava Plantation properties.
• Lei O Papa Road in Princeville remains closed due to a sinkhole.
• Welke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed.
• HDOT continues to inspect bridges in the flood -affected areas on Kauai. No structural
issues were found on any of the inspected bridges. An inspection of Wailua River Bridge
will be performed when inspectors are able to view the pier structures in Wailua River,
according to HDOT. Crews continue to clear debris in the river.
For updates on road conditions and closures, please call 241-1725. Please do not call
Kauai police 911 unless you have an emergency. Damage to roads, highways, bridges and
other infrastructure may be reported to the KEMA EOC at 241-1800.
Mail: On Tuesday, May 1, county officials will collect outgoing mail from isolated Wainiha
and H5'ena residents at the Hanalei Colony Resort from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m. Only
letter -class mail will be accepted. Officials will have postage stamps for sale at the drop-off site,
on a limited basis. The collected mail will be transported by a county official and delivered to the
Kilauea Post Office for processing by the U.S. Postal Service.
Refuse Collection and Debris Management:
• In the Koloa area, in the vicinity of Waila'au Road and Aloha Place, residents may
continue to use the bins available for mixed waste and metals through Friday, May 11.
Additionally, crews will perform bulky item pickup on Wednesday, May 2, and
Wednesday, May 9.
• In Keapana, bulky items should be placed on the county's right of way before the bridge
and will be picked up on Friday, May 4.
• Department of Public Works officials will continue to collect limited bulky items and flood -
related debris in the Wainiha-H5'ena area. Residents are asked to leave out bulky items
3
and flood -related debris along Kuhio Highway or the county's right of way. A regular
schedule for bulky item collection has not yet been set.
• Household trash was collected on Monday, April 30, for residents in Wainiha and H5'ena.
• In Hanalei, residents may continue to use the bins staged at Waioli Park to dispose mixed
refuse, green waste and metals. These bins will be available until Friday, May 11.
• The Hanalei refuse transfer station, located in Princeville, will allow the disposal of bulky
items and continue its extended hours to 5:15 p.m., until Wednesday, May 2. Regular
hours and services will be resumed on Thursday, May 3. Regular hours are from 7:15
a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and size restriction for solid waste is three feet in length.
• A bulky item pickup for residents on Kalihiwai Valley Road occurred on Monday, April 30.
• Household trash pick-up for residents on Kahiliholo Road has resumed to its normal
Tuesday schedule.
• The Kekaha Landfill will resume regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, April
Fuel: Approximately 715 gallons of fuel have been distributed since Monday. Fuel will
continue to be distributed to residents in Wainiha-Ha'ena between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily from
Camp Naue. Each physical address is allowed five gallons of gasoline per week, and staff will
either fill your vehicle or a container. To collect gas, please bring your ID and your own container.
Department of Health:
• Medical Services at Hanalei Colony Resort: The medical team deployed to H5'ena
jointly by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Hawaii Healthcare Emergency
Management (HHEM), and KEMA, has been operating out of Hanalei Colony Resort
since Friday, April 20. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with after-hours care
provided for urgent needs. There have been 226 patients treated for skin and wound
infections, abrasions and other injuries that are common following flooding events. In
addition, they have also seen many patients for chronic health conditions, resupply of
E
prescription medications and tetanus boosters. The medical team will remain in place
while the need exists. The team is able to meet the healthcare needs of the community at
this time and is not currently in need of medical volunteers.
• Mental Health Services: After determining the overall need in the community, DOH will
continue to provide mental health services as necessary. Natural disasters are stressful
and can cause emotional reactions, which everyone experiences differently. Taking care
of your emotional and mental health will go a long way while trying to recover from a
natural disaster. Talk to your family members and friends to maintain a strong support
system. Help your children by sharing age -appropriate information and being honest. Set
a good example for children by taking care of yourself. Take breaks and unwind
periodically and ask for help if you need it. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, eligibility
for mental health services is very broad and services are available to anyone with needs
related to the disaster. Mental health services are also available via phone at the
following:
o Kaua`i Family Guidance Center: 808-274-3883 (M-F 7:45 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.)
o Kaua`i Community Mental Health Center Branch: 808-274-3190 (M-F 7:45 a.m. —
4:30 p.m.)
o Crisis Line of Hawaii (24/7): 1-800-753-6879
o Child and Family Service's Hawaii Parent Line: 1-800-816-1222 (M-F 8 a.m. —6
p.m. / Sat 9 a.m. — 1 p.m.)
o Disaster Distress Helpline (nationwide 24/7): 1-800-985-5990, TTY 1-800-846-
8517, Text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Stay out of brown water: For the latest updates on brown water advisories, visit DOH's
Clean Water Branch website at http://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/. The public is advised to
stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools,
5
sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals,
and associated flood debris. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas.
• Practice good sanitation: Wash your hands often with soap and clean water to prevent
spreading and contracting any illnesses, especially before handling and preparing food to
avoid food contamination. If soap and clean water is unavailable, hand sanitizer may be
pused instead.
• Mosquito concerns: Mosquitoes can and will breed in areas of standing water. Apply
mosquito repellent containing DEET to exposed skin and wear protective clothing, such
as long sleeves, long pants, and covered shoes. If you're located in an area that wasn't
as heavily impacted, get rid of standing water where you can. Department of Health
vector control staff will be available to conduct mosquito abatement activities, including
surveillance and treatment. Please call Environmental Health Vector Control at 241-3306.
• Food safety tips: Make sure to throw away spoiled or unrefrigerated food to prevent
foodborne illnesses. Minimize the presence of flies and rodents by disposing of food in
covered and sealed containers.
• Get rid of items collecting mold: Exposure to mold can have harmful health effects.
Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after flooding. Remove standing water as
quickly as possible. Take steps to dry out your home and remove wet materials and
objects. Items that cannot be cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded.
Make sure to follow label instructions and wear protective gear (i.e. gloves, face masks,
etc.) when using cleaners and disinfectants during the cleanup process.
Animals: The Kauai Humane Society is offering free veterinarian services from 9 to 11
a.m. daily at the Hanalei Colony Resort for the isolated Wainiha and HA'ena communities. They
have also provided pet food to the distribution sites at Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony
Resort.
G
Donation Information: For those sheltering in place, Camp Naue and the Hanalei
Colony Resort have been serving as distribution points for food, water and other provisions.
Those who wish to provide donations are asked to coordinate with KEMA at 241-1800.
Accepted items are being are limited to non -perishables, bottled water, cleaning supplies,
hygiene items, diapers, baby food and formula. Donations are currently being accepted at the
following locations:
• Food Bank of Hawaii — Kaua`i Branch (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Kaua`i Independent Food Bank (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Additional Resource Links:
• ready.hawaii.gov
• Flood Damage Claims FAQ: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/flood-damage-claims-
frequently-asked-questions-2/
• Repairing Your Flooded Home: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/resource-from-the-
american-red-cross-repairing-your-flooded-home/
FAA Temporary Flight Restriction: The Federal Aviation Agency has issued a
Temporary Flight Restriction in the Hanalei and Wainiha area, particularly restricting all aircraft
and UAS (drones). Please avoid the area to help ensure the safety our first responders during
their ongoing emergency operations.
7