Small Numbers Turn Up at Big Island Red Cross Shelters

A total of 29 people walked into emergency shelters set up by the Hawai’i State Chapter of the American Red Cross as Hurricane Ana brought rain, wind, and high surf to the Big Island.

According to the Red Cross, the number reflects the amount of people who had entered the shelters as of Midnight Saturday. One shelter location, the Waiakea High School Gymnasium in Hilo, did not have a single person walk through its doors outside of volunteer workers.

Five official shelters were opened at Noon on Friday, half of the 10 that were initially listed when the Department of Education announced school closures on Wednesday. Shelter locations that never opened included Waikoloa Elementary, Kea’au High, Kohala High and Elementary, Hilo High, and Honoka’a High and Intermediate.

A Red Cross spokesperson says that 16 people sought shelter at the Pahoa High and Intermediate School’s new gymnasium. Six people sheltered at Konawaena High School. Four other people sheltered at the Kealakehe High School gymnasium. The other three individuals went to the Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary shelter location.

All of the shelters closed sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday as people gradually left each premises.

No shelters were opened on Maui. Four locations will open up at 4 p.m. on Oahu. Details will be announced later on Kauai’s plans.