State gives update as Hurricane Lala impacts state

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and state officials gave an update on the state’s response as Hurricane Lala’s impact continues throughout Saturday and into Sunday.

The Office of the Governor said state personnel and resources have been deployed across the islands to address current impacts and respond to changing conditions as the hurricane moves through the state.

“Hurricane Lala is now impacting our state, and the safety of our people remains our highest priority,” Green said. “National Guard, law enforcement, transportation, health and emergency personnel are working around the clock, with resources positioned statewide to support our communities. If you are safe at home, please shelter in place. Otherwise, emergency shelters and refuge areas may be available in your county – please proceed carefully and bring supplies for your family. We will continue moving people and resources wherever they are needed until every community is safe.”

Hawaii National Guard

The Hawaiʻi National Guard is prepared to support state and county emergency response efforts as Hurricane Lala passes close to shore.

Approximately 180 Hawaiʻi National Guard personnel are positioned to support response operations statewide.

On O‘ahu, the Hawai‘i National Guard Joint Staff, a command and control element, has been activated and will support all island Task Forces. The Joint Staff and Task Force Hawaiʻi will operate on a 24-hour basis through Monday. Operations may be extended or additional resources added depending on the storm’s impact.

Task Force Hawaiʻi, made up of 41 Guard members, has been stood up in anticipation of potential impacts today and continuing through the weekend.

Task Force Maui stood up yesterday and is prepared to support Maui County with 19 soldiers and airmen.

High-wheeled vehicle teams are pre-positioned in each county.

Liaison officers are working in emergency operations centers statewide to coordinate directly with state and county emergency management officials. The Kaua‘i Liaison officers are currently on standby.

Hawaii Department of Transportation

Airports – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) closed Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) at 2 p.m. HDOT anticipates staff returning to ITO and KOA Sunday, Aug. 16, to resume operations. All other airports remain open at this time.

HDOT will continue to work with airline partners to keep passengers updated on any schedule changes. Passengers should check flight status with their air carrier before heading to the airport.

Read more here: Hawaii Island airports closed, flights canceled as Hurricane Lala passes south

Harbors – Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County commercial ports are closed. There are no terminal, facility or vessel operations permitted in harbors unless approved by the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

Read more here: Coast Guard closes ports across Hawaii due to Hurricane Lala

HDOT is posting travel-related storm updates for airports, highways and harbors online and on HDOT’s social media accounts.

Department of Law Enforcement

The state Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) is assisting at Hawaiʻi Island shelters and stands ready to assist at shelters that open on other islands.

View a list of hurricane refuge areas here.

DLE drones are on standby for deployment if needed, to identify areas of concern such as flooded roads, damaged structures, landslides and need for evacuations.

Department of Land and Natural Resources

Forests and Wildlife Lands – State forestry and wildlife lands will close upon issuance of a National Weather Service tropical storm or hurricane warning and reopen when warnings are canceled. This includes forest reserves, natural area reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Nā Ala Hele Trails.

View a list of closures here.

The public is urged to avoid forested and coastal areas due to hazards including rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees and branches, rockfalls, landslides, storm surge and high surf. Emergency response and rescue operations may be delayed due to dangerous conditions.

Dam Safety – Regulated dam owners statewide have been notified to prepare and review their emergency action plans and prepare response resources, including contractors and equipment rentals. In accordance with established Dam Safety Emergency Action Plans, dam owners are to inspect their facilities and notify DLNR and county emergency management agencies of any issues that may arise.

DLNR Flood Risk Management Section reports that Puukapu Watershed Retarding R-1 Dam (HA-43), located on Hawai‘i Island, activated its “non-failure” emergency action plan. The dam is functioning as designed to discharge water via several injection wells on both sides of the dam that crosses Mana Road in Waimea. The dam reservoir protects Kuhio Village and Waimea homes and farmlands in Waimea town below Māmalahoa Highway. It is being monitored by the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works, which operates and maintains the dam.

Dam Evacuation Zone Map Viewer is a tool residents and businesses can use to learn if they are in a dam evacuation area.

Homeless – DLNR is urging houseless individuals to leave forested, coastal and other outdoor areas at risk from flooding, high surf, rising streams, landslides and falling trees. Those near beaches or low-lying coastal areas, under bridges or near stream channels and drainage areas should move to higher ground. Those sheltering under large trees should move to a covered area away from trees. DLNR cautions that emergency response or rescue from hazardous areas may be delayed.

Read more here: ‘The time is now’: City urges homeless to seek shelter ahead of storm

Boating and Harbors – All state small boat harbors will remain open to provide safe harbor to vessels, subject to any limitations on available mooring space and vessel size.

Boat owners and operators are advised to check all moorings and lines, bilge pumps, secure cabins and hatches, and take other precautions as necessary to protect themselves, their vessels and natural resources. Any vessel groundings should be immediately reported to the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).

Camping and Lodging – All camping and lodging in state parks and on state lands is suspended through the weekend. Notifications were sent to everyone who received a camping permit. Refunds will be credited to the accounts of anyone who misses camping nights due to storm closures.

Monitor Real-Time Stream Conditions – Publicly accessible, near-real-time data on stream level discharge at 88 monitoring locations across the five main Hawaiian Islands is available at the Water Data for the Nation website.

Know Your Flood Risks – Use the DLNR Flood Hazard Assessment Tool to view maps of special flood hazard areas from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Hawaii Department of Hawaii

A Department of Health Brown Water Advisory has been issued for the Island of Hawai‘i.

DOH is closely monitoring the storm through its emergency operations center and coordinating with hospitals, EMS, county emergency managers and state and federal partners around the clock. Hospital capacity is currently within normal limits, though some facilities are seeing high volumes. Emergency departments remain within capacity.

Hawaii State Public Library System

State libraries were closed Saturday and the following library branches on O‘ahu on Sunday:

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Residents are encouraged to know what their insurance policies cover so they can efficiently recover any losses after the storm passes.

Steps to Take Now

If Damage Already Occurred

NFIP policyholders: start a claim at FloodSmart.gov/recover/start-a-claim

Private flood insurance: contact your carrier or agent directly

Homeowners/condo/renters claims — once safe:

Auto claims: contact your insurer to file; if the vehicle is drivable, get repair estimates; if not, follow total-loss procedures with your adjuster.

The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has many resources available online, such as My Insurance Doesn’t Cover What?, Flood Insurance Basics, and Storm Claims Guides. For additional assistance, contact DCCA at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or visit cca.Hawai‘i.gov/ins.

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) — HTA is sharing clear, consistent guidance with current visitors, those planning trips to Hawaiʻi and the visitor industry in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. Direct visitor messaging, including active weather alerts and island-by-island conditions and closures, will continue through GoHawaiʻi social media channels, the GoHawaiʻi website alert banner and dedicated landing page, the GoHawaiʻi app through push and in-app alerts, and the 1-800-GOHAWAI‘I call center.