HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-12_330pmMarch12UpdateOfficialsannounceupdatesforHanaleiHaenacommunityDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
3:30 p.m., March 12, Update: Officials announce updates for Hanalei-Hā‘ena
community
While the Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Kaua‘i, multiple agencies are responding to
continuing severe weather impacts including attending to the needs of our isolated Hanalei to Hā‘ena
communities. Officials are announcing the following additional updates.
Kūhiō Highway closures on the North Shore will be maintained as officials continue to assess the
damage, conduct debris removal, and stabilize the slopes. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT)
officials anticipate the earliest possible estimation, weather depending, for single lane emergency access
on Kūhiō Highway is early next week.
Current Road Closures:
• Both lanes of Kūhiō Highway, at the Hanalei Hill, approaching Hanalei Bridge, remain closed
due to a landslide.
• Kūhiō Highway, between Kolopua Apartments and Hanalei Plantation Road, remains closed
out of an abundance of caution. This is the road above the Hanalei Hill site. HDOT officials
have installed systems to monitor any movement in the road.
• One lane of Kūhiō Highway at mile marker 4.5 near Waikoko is currently open to alternating
traffic.
Weather Update: A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Kaua‘i. For weather updates, call
the National Weather Service automated weather line at 245-6001, or visit the NWS website,
www.weather.gov/hfo.
Refuse Service: Solid waste officials are currently unable to provide normal refuse collection
service to households in the Hanalei to Hā‘ena areas, affected by the landslide. In anticipation of the
County addressing immediate refuse needs once access to the area is established, residents in the
impacted area are asked to start separating their putrescible waste so that the County can focus on
initial removal of these items. Putrescible waste is solid waste that causes odors when decomposing
such as food waste, animal waste, and diapers. This waste should be bagged and placed in County refuse
carts. Other waste must also be bagged and set aside for future disposal efforts. We ask that residents
also separate, secure, and hold their green waste, recyclables, and bulky waste until further notice, and
use backyard composting bins to manage food waste as much as possible. We understand that residents
have already filled their refuse carts with trash, and we are assuring all that solid waste needs are being
prioritized. We continue to work on our waste removal plan for the near future and will provide updates
as they develop. For questions, call 241-4841.
Additionally, solid waste officials announce that all green waste facilities will be closed over the
weekend as heavy rains are expected to continue and conditions will likely remain saturated at the sites.
Postal Services: The U.S. Postal Service announces that the Hanalei Post Office located at 5-5226
Kūhiō Highway on the North Shore is temporarily closed due to the road closures. The office will reopen
as soon as access is restored and it is safe to do so. While the office is closed, affected Hanalei PO Box
customers can pick up their mail at the Kīlauea Post Office, located at 2585 Ala Namahana Parkway.
Updates on mail services for affected Hanalei-Hā‘ena residents will be announced as more information
is available.
Vaccines: Individuals in the affected area who are not able to keep their COVID vaccine
appointments – either first or second dose – should be assured that they will be able to reschedule their
appointments. If necessary, extra clinic dates will be added to accommodate those affected. Second
doses can be given up to 42 days after the first dose. Beyond that, it is recommended to take the second
dose as soon as possible. If access to Kūhiō Highway remains an issue, DOH will work with county and
healthcare partners to bring vaccines to the North Shore communities.
Food and Medical Supplies: Food supplies are available at stores and food pantries in the
affected areas. The county continues to work on bringing in additional food and medical supplies for the
community as needed.
Damage Assessments: The county is beginning to conduct assessments of storm-affected areas
across the island. If your home suffered damages due to the March flooding, please visit
www.kauai.gov/kema and click on the green link “March 2021 Rain Damage/Flood Reporting” to
complete a form. The information you provide will help to gather necessary data which may be used to
determine whether or not certain federal aid is made available to residents of Kaua‘i and/or the State of
Hawai‘i. For assistance on how to fill out the form, you may call KEMA at 241-1800.
Power Outages: The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) advises its Hanalei members that a
scheduled outage will occur on Saturday, March 13, beginning at 9 a.m. It is expected to last
approximately 2 hours, but could be longer depending on weather condutions and other factors. The
outage includes members in Ching Young Village up to Waikoko and will include members on Weke
Road. The outage is necessary for crews to complete repairs related to an outage that occurred on
Thursday, March 11.
The KIUC Facebook page will provide status reports, and the outage map on the homepage of
the cooperative’s website is another resource for current information: www.kiuc.coop.
Water Services: Department of Water (DOW) also advises residents on water emergency
preparedness and service advisories that may be issued during an emergency. For more preparedness
tips and service announcements, visit www.facebook.com/KauaiDOW.
Stay Out of Standing 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 stormwater runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal
matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Do not allow children to play
in floodwater areas. Continue to practice good personal hygiene by washing off with soap and clean
water and washing hands before handling food.
Updates will be posted as information becomes available. Official county press releases are
posted at www.kauai.gov or you may follow the County of Kaua‘i Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/countyofkauai.
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