Pāhoa & Keaukaha Emergency Shelters Close

International Space Station photo of Hurricane Lester.

• Click here for the latest updates
• Click here for Friday, Sept. 2, 5 p.m. video update with Meteorologist Malika Dudley
• Saturday, Sept. 3, 7:30 a.m.: Holiday Weekend Forecast for Big Island
• Click here for closures and reopening reports
• Click here for power, road and flooding status reports
• Click here for hurricane safety tips
• Click here for airline information
• Click here for Hurricane Madeline photos from across Hawai‘i County

UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.

The evacuation shelters at Pāhoa Community Center and at the Keaukaha – Kawananakoa Gym are now closed.

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 2, 3 p.m.

For those who anticipate impact from high surf, shelters will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, at Pahoa Community Center and at Keaukaha – Kawananakoa Gym.

ORIGINAL POST: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 3:44 p.m.

If possible and safe, shelter in place or with family and friends. Otherwise, the following emergency shelters will open today at 5 p.m.

Bring your own bedding, food, water, medicines and any personal items you may need.

• Hilo High – 556 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo
• Honokaa High & Intermediate – 45-527 Pakalana St, Honokaa
• Kalanianaole Elementary– 27-330 Mamalahoa Hwy, Papaikou
• Kau High & Elementary – 96-3150 Pikake Stl, Pahala
• Keaau High – 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd, Keaau
• Kealakehe High – 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona
• Kohala High & Elementary – 54-3609 Akoni Pule Hwy Kapaau
• Konawaena High – 81-1043 Konawaena School Rd, Kealakekua
• Laupahoehoe High – 35-2065 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Laupahoehoe
• Mountain View Elementary – 18-1235 Volcano Hwy, Mountain View
• Pahoa High– 15-3038 Pahoa Village Road, Pahoa
• Waiakea High – 155 W Kawili St, Hilo
• Waikoloa Elementary – 68-1730 Hooko Street, Waikoloa
• Waimea Intermediate – 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea

With the onset of a Hurricane Madeline Warning across the Island of Hawaii, the Hawaii Island Humane Society has a few tips to help keep animals safe during and after the storm:

• Bring pets inside.
• Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and may isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet tied up during a storm.
• Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tag.
• Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally.
• If you find a stray pet during the storm, please provide it shelter and then drop it off when weather conditions clear at one of three islandwide Hawaii Island Humane Society shelters in Keaau, Waimea and Kona.
• HIHS encourages all pet owners to be safe and well prepared. If you are advised to evacuate or do not trust the stability of your home, please consider your pet’s safety.

Emergency Pet Friendly Shelters
Shelters able to accommodate pets are listed below and at hawaiicounty.gov.

These shelters are for safety only and will not have the comforts of home. Pet owners need to stay with their pet and provide the necessary care.

• WAIAKEA HIGH
• KALANIANAOLE ELEMENTARY
• KEAAU HIGH
• PAHOA HIGH
• HONOKAA HIGH &INTERMEDIATE
• KEALAKEHE HIGH
• KONAWAENA HIGH
• KAU HIGH

Bring the following for your pet:

• Crate
• Leash
• Food
• Water
• Bowls
• Towel
• Litter and litter box
• Identification
• Medication (if applicable)

After the Storm Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive—monitor their behavior.

Click here or visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website for more information on emergency shelters.