Maui County opens temporary evacuation points as islands brace for Lala
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With Hurricane Lala strengthening Saturday morning, Maui County has opened temporary evacuation points across the county.
The center of the storm was approaching the southern tip of Hawaii Island early Saturday afternoon and is expected to continue passing just south of the Hawaiian islands through Sunday.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Maui, Molokai and Lanai, due to the potential for heavy rain, flash and coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous surf.
Maui County and the American Red Cross have opened five temporary evacuation points. These sites provide safe gathering areas, but do not carry the supplies available at regular shelters.
Residents should bring essential items. Pets are permitted only in crates or cages. If necessary, the temporary evacuation points can be converted into shelters providing cots, food and water.
The following temporary evacuation points were open as of Saturday afternoon:
• Wailuku: Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
• Hana: Hana High and Elementary School cafeteria, 4111 Hana Highway.
• Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center gym, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway.
• Pukalani: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center social hall, 91 Pukalani St.
• Kihei: South Maui Community Park and gym, 1501 Liloa Drive.
The following temporary evacuation points are available on an as-needed, on-call basis:
• Lanai: Lanai Youth Center, 101-165 Fifth St., Lanai City. For assistance, call 808-559-0175.
• Molokai: Molokai Baptist Church, 495 Puupeelua Ave., Hoolehua, and Kilohana Recreation • Center, 344 Kamehameha V Highway, Kaunakakai. For assistance, call 808-280-8968.
As of the county's 1:15 p.m. update, 33 people were at temporary evacuation points.
Ka Hale A Ke Ola had 10 beds available and was prepared to increase capacity if additional sheltering needs arose.
County facilities, parks and services
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in Wailuku was closed Saturday because of rising water in the Wailuku River and high winds.
Work on the Department of Public Works' Makawao Avenue reconstruction project was canceled Saturday and Sunday because of the weather.
The Department of Transportation plans to resume Maui Bus fixed-route and Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit services at 10 a.m. Sunday, as road and safety conditions allow. The Kahului Transit Center will reopen when service resumes. Maui Bus commuter service to West and South Maui will remain suspended Sunday. Updates are available at mauibus.org.
The Molokai-Naiwa Landfill and Recycling Center was closed Saturday because high winds created unsafe operating conditions. The landfill is expected to reopen for regular hours at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.
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County-sponsored events
The Office of the Mayor's annual Holomua Kākou talk-story gathering and drop-in centers on Lanai, scheduled for Aug. 17-18, will be rescheduled.
County preparations
The Maui Emergency Management Agency has been coordinating with other county departments and state and nongovernmental partners to prepare for potential storm impacts.
The Maui Police Department increased staffing in all districts, and generators were tested at all police stations.
Police advised residents to expect longer response times for nonemergency calls and calls involving incidents that are not in progress because public-safety emergencies will be prioritized during the storm.
Anyone needing emergency evacuation should call 911. If traffic signals stop working or malfunction, motorists should treat affected intersections as four-way stops.
Police also reminded the public that crimes committed during an emergency proclamation carry enhanced penalties.
The Maui Fire Department activated an incident-management team to help manage the storm response and increased the number of firefighters on duty at stations across Maui County.
Department of Public Works crews fueled storm-response equipment, inspected and cleaned drainage and flood-control infrastructure, and positioned traffic-control devices and equipment for possible deployment. Preparations were made in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hana, as well as on Molokai and Lanai.
Material was removed from the Wailuku River debris basin as a safety precaution. The material remains intact and is being stored at a county facility in Waikapu. It can be returned to the watershed after the storm, according to the county.
The departments of Water Supply and Environmental Management prepared infrastructure sites that could be affected by the storm. Crews checked and filled permanent and portable generators with fuel, refueled vehicles and established standby response crews.
Damage in West Maui from Hurricane Lala on Saturday. Photo courtesy Maui County
Damage in East Maui from Hurricane Lala on Saturday. Photo courtesy Maui County
Safety information
County officials advised residents to:
• Review or update their family emergency plans.
• Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
• Prepare an emergency go bag containing essential items in case evacuation becomes necessary.
• Secure important documents and know their evacuation zones if they live in coastal or flood-prone areas.
• Secure outdoor items, protect windows if necessary and prepare for possible extended power outages.
Residents can register for Maui Emergency Management Agency alerts and Genasys evacuation notifications at mauicounty.gov/MEMA. Weather updates are available from the National Weather Service in Honolulu at weather.gov/hfo.
Power outages
Approximately 5,180 Maui County customers were without power as of 11 a.m. Saturday, according to Hawaiian Electric.
The outages affected Upcountry areas including Makawao, Pukalani and Kula, as well as portions of Haiku and Puukolii in West Maui. Hawaiian Electric reported wind gusts exceeding 60 mph in parts of West Maui and Hawaii Island.
Crews had restored power to about 730 Maui County customers by 11 a.m.
Hawaiian Electric urged customers to prepare for the possibility of extended outages, potentially lasting overnight. Statewide, approximately 23,900 customers were without electricity as of 11 a.m., while service had been restored to 22,270 customers.
People should stay away from downed power lines and treat them as energized and dangerous. Downed lines in Maui County can be reported to Hawaiian Electric at 1-855-304-8181.