Wildfire update 4: Hisaoka Gym in Kapaʻau, Waimea Community Center back to normal operations

7:23 p.m. update Aug. 9: According to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports all arterial roadways are open and all residual areas are open in Kohala. The Hisaoka Gym in Kapaʻau and the Waimea Community Center, which were providing emergency shelter for those impacted by the wildfires in the area, have been returned to normal operations.

The red flag warning for leeward areas of the Big Island remains in effect as critical fire weather conditions of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures makes for extreme fire danger.

4:25 p.m. update Aug. 9: Hawaiʻi County reports that the remaining evacuation orders for the southern portion of Kohala Ranch have been lifted. Access is now available via the Kohala Mountain Road and Highway 270.

Additionally, evacuation orders for the Villas and South Fairways at Mauna Kea have also been lifted and access to and from the resort area is also now allowed. Guests at the resort are no longer required to shelter in place.

The Akoni Pule Highway closure between the 6 and 17 mile markers was lifted as well.

At this time, there are no closures of any major highways on Hawaiʻi Island as a result of the South Kohala brush fires.

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea has been contained.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department crews will remain on scene at all incidents, and unnecessary travel through the affected areas is discouraged.

Shelters will remain open through 8 pm this evening at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and the Waimea Community Center.

To receive timely and essential alerts, the public is urged to sign up for Everbridge messages from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense. To register, click here.

The public is also encouraged to visit the official Hawaiʻi County Hazard Map online.

4:07 p.m. update Aug. 9: According to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, the Hawai‘i Fire Department reports Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) in Kohala, which was closed earlier because of the brush fire in the area, is reopened and the mandatory evacuation of Kohala Ranch has been lifted at this time.

The mandatory evacuation on Mauna Kea Resort at the Villas residential area remains in effect and Mauna Kea Beach Drive remains closed because of active firefighting.

The National Weather Service red flag warning for leeward areas of the Big Island remains in effect as critical fire weather conditions of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures makes for extreme fire danger. 

The public is advised to postpone and avoid all outdoor activities using open flames and parking of vehicles on dry vegetation after driving.

If you were impacted by brush fires or high winds, report damages to Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.

11:17 a.m. update on Wednesday: Hawai‘i Fire Department continues to battle fires in North and South Kohala.

The fires in the Mauna Kea Beach area continue to threaten structures with one support structure significantly damaged. Residents have returned to the North Fairways and the Villas at Mauna Kea, while the South Fairways at Mauna Kea remain evacuated. 

The resort guests continue to shelter in place.

The Akoni Pule Highway brushfire is roughly 60% contained and remains a threat to structures in the southern portion of Kohala Ranch between Kamakani Loop and the highway. Access is available to the northern portion of Kohala Ranch, above Kamakani Loop, via Kohala Mountain Road. Akoni Pule Highway remains closed between the 6 and 17-mile markers.  

Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway is now open between the 69-mile marker and the Kawaihae Road Junction. 

The flare-up near Spencer’s Beach Park has made no significant progress toward the park overnight. Campers in the area were evacuated as a precaution prior to any threats in the immediate area. 

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea has been contained. 

Hawaiʻi Fire Department crews are on the scene at all incidents and working to contain the fires. Further evacuations may be necessary. Individuals in and around the area should remain on high alert.

Shelters remain open at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela. Additional shelters may be opened based on need. 

10:23 a.m. update on Wednesday: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway between Kawaihae Road and the entrance to the Westin Hapuna entrance is now open. 

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in North Kohala will remain closed to the public today to conduct assessments and clean up following damaging winds that wreaked havoc Tuesday and caused brushfires to spread.

Original post: Hawaiʻi Fire Department crews battled three wildfires overnight in North and South Kohala and continue to fight them on Wednesday morning. 

The Akoni Pule Highway brush fire in North Kohala remained about 60% contained on Wednesday morning. It has burned an estimated 1,000 acres and remains a threat to structures in the southern portion of Kohala Ranch between Kamakani Loop and the highway. Mandatory evacuation remains in place for Kohala Ranch in this area.

Firefighters created four firebreaks with bulldozers that have helped to keep it contained within the Kohala Ranch subdivision, according to Talmadge Magno, administrator for the Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

A fire in the Mauna Kea Beach area in South Kohala that began Tuesday afternoon continue to burn on Wednesday morning. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for Mauna Kea Resort’s North Fairways residential area.

The fire, which has burned about 500 acres in the Mauna Kea Beach area, continues to threaten structures, with one support structure for the resort having sustained significant damage and a wooden bridge was destroyed. Guests at the Mauna Kea Resort continue to shelter in place.

Emergency Medical personnel are on the scene to monitor the situation and provide medical services if needed. Access to the resort area will remain closed until further notice. 

A flare-up near Spencer’s Beach Park has also been reported. Campers in the area were evacuated as a precaution prior to any threats in the immediate area and the park remains closed. 

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea that began early Tuesday morning remains contained on Wednesday. But it is considered an active fire and a small crew is on sight to deal with hot spots.

The Maunakea area fire remains the priority for the Hawai’i Fire Department, according to Chief Kazuo Todd.

He said fortunately, the fires were in a favorable location near the coast and were blown toward the ocean and not in highly populated areas. They were lucky compared to the fires that were occurring on Maui in major residential areas and business districts.

“My personnel were amazing and responded in force,” he said. “Some are going on 48 hours battling the fires.”

A Red Flag Warning for fire danger remains in place with critical fire weather conditions of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperature. 

The high winds of Tuesday have subsided slightly on Tuesday, but they may still be too strong to use aerial water support.

The Hawai’i National Guard has supported the efforts with 30 personnel manning checkpoints and traffic.

The U.S. Army’s Pōhakuloa Training Area have assisted with firefighting in the Spencer Beach area.

Shelters remain open at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela. Additional shelters may be opened based on need. 

Due to these fires the following road closures remain in effect:

• Akoni Pule Highway, Highway 270 from Kohala Ranch to 11.5 mile marker. Use Kohala Mountain Road.
• Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway between the 69 Mile Marker and Kawaihae Road Junction

People should postpone all outdoor activities using open flames and avoid parking vehicles on dry vegetation after driving.

To receive timely and essential alerts, the County urges residents to sign up for Everbridge messages from Civil Defense. This service allows individuals to receive critical notifications directly through their preferred communication channels, enabling them to make well-informed decisions in real-time. To register for this service, please visit https://member.everbridge.net/371914103062563/login. 

The public is also encouraged to visit the official County of Hawaiʻi Hazard Map at https://tinyurl.com/3edh6xfn. 

If you were impacted by these brush fires or high winds, please report damages to Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.