HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR031321KEMA3DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
1 p.m., March 13, Update: Officials announce updates for Hanalei-Hā‘ena community
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.
Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei Bridge’s vicinity is closed due to flooding.
One lane of Kūhiō Highway at mile marker 4.5 near Waikoko is currently open to alternating
traffic.
Weather Update: A Flash Flood Watch and Wind Advisory 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.
Health and vaccine information: Individuals who have COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be
able to reschedule them. If necessary, extra clinic dates will be added to accommodate them. CDC
guidelines recommend receiving your second dose within 42 days of the first dose, but if that is not
possible, appointments can still be scheduled later. It is never necessary to repeat the first dose.
If the highway cannot be reopened in a timely manner, the Department of Health will work with
the County of Kaua‘i and healthcare partners to bring vaccine to the North Shore communities.
North Shore residents or visitors who have traveled off of Kaua‘i in the last 14 days and
experience symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 are encouraged to isolate in their home or
accommodation and to seek health care as needed. Travelers may contact the health department at
(808) 241-3387 for further guidance.
Free mental health counseling is available to all Kaua‘i residents through WorkLife Hawai‘i.
WorkLife Hawai‘i counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling (808)
543-8445. These services are free and completely confidential.
Those with health insurance may also set up telehealth counseling with their providers.
Similarly, telehealth is a good option for anyone experiencing a health concern. North Shore
residents are encouraged to access their usual health care providers by phone or online.
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 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 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 began at 9 a.m. today. It was 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.
###