HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-16_4pmMarch 16UpdateDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 16, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
4 p.m., March 16, Update: Officials continue recovery efforts as single lane of Kūhiō
Highway reopens for emergency access
With Tuesday’s reopening of a single lane on Kūhiō Highway for emergency access, officials have
mobilized assets into the isolated North Shore community and will continue recovery efforts while long-
term repairs to the Hanalei Hillside remain ongoing.
Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill: The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) will continue
a single lane for emergency access on Kūhiō Highway at the Hanalei Hill on Wednesday. This access has
been established for critical services only. HDOT officials will continue to work on a plan to provide
public access later this week. To ensure overall safety, there will be continuous security check points on
both sides of the slide. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Other Current Road Closures:
• 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.
Refuse Service: The Solid Waste Division will resume normal household refuse collection
services to North Shore residents starting Thursday, March 18. This means residents will have refuse
collection on Thursday and Friday this week, as normally scheduled.
Residents are asked to place bagged refuse in their carts the night prior. Officials will not be
picking up loose waste or bulky waste. For questions or more information, please call the Solid Waste
Division at 241-4841.
North Shore Pharmacy: Affected Hanalei to Hā‘ena residents needing to fulfill medical
prescriptions may call the North Shore Pharmacy at (808) 828-1844. A pharmacist will be available to
deliver prescriptions to residents on Wednesday, March 17, at 2 p.m., at the Black Pot Beach Park.
Weather Update: A High Surf Advisory is in effect for all East-facing shores of Kaua‘i through 6
p.m. Wednesday. Strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents are
expected. All weather and ocean advisories may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions
develop. For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a
county lifeguard, visit www.hawaiibeachsafety.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For
weather updates, call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 245-6001, or visit the
NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo.
Damage Assessments: The county is continuing 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 the County of Kaua‘i understand the scope of
residential damage and impacts to our community. Damage reports may be used to determine whether
our jurisdiction qualifies for any state and federal assistance. Affected parties will still need to file claims
with their insurance companies for residential damage and personal property loss. Completion of a
damage report does not constitute an application for assistance or relief programs. For assistance on
how to fill out the form, you may call KEMA at 241-1800.
For up-to-date and ongoing information for residents affected by the recent severe weather,
especially those who reside in the isolated North Shore areas, please visit www.kauai.gov and click on
the blue icon “March 2021 Flooding.”
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