Evacuation orders lifted for Kawaihae Village, crews continue wildfire response

KAWAIHAE (HawaiiNewsNow) – Evacuation orders have been lifted for the Kawaihae Village Subdivision, and crews continue battling an active brush fire in South Kohala.

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Hawaii Fire Department said the fire was first reported around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with Civil Defense issuing an evacuation alert around 7:45 p.m.

As of 8:50 p.m. Saturday, officials said the fire had burned about 500 acres on the south side of Kawaihae Road, impacting an area of roughly 50 residences near the junction of Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency (HCCDA) reported that the evacuation orders ended at 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents are allowed to return home, and the shelter at the Waimea Community Center is set to close at noon.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said the county’s fire, police and public works crews and the state highway patrol have been mobilized.

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Alameda said fire crews are using dozers to cut firebreaks and a nearby stream to protect some areas.

“There’s a stream that goes down… water’s flowing right now, and that’s gonna protect the golf course area, Waikoloa area, and like I said, all units are on board, all hands on deck, and here we are fighting this fire,” the mayor said.

He added they are working with staff to alert campers at Spencer Beach Park to direct them to Kohala Ranch Road and connect back over to Waimea since the area is close to the fire.

Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway remain closed to through traffic to facilitate firefighting operations.

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