Big Island closures and shelters due to severe weather

On Sunday, Hawai’i County established severe weather shelters at four locations:

• Waimea Community Center in Waimea 
• Hisaoka Gymnasium in North Kohala 
• Honokaʻa Sports Complex Gym in Honokaʻa
• Papāʻaloa Park Community Center in Papāʻaloa

These severe weather shelters will remain open until the threat has subsided.

On Monday, all non-essential County services and operations, including all park facilities and solid waste facilities will be closed.

Waipio Valley Access Road is closed to non-valley residents and farmers.

If you are a Hele-On Bus rider, please check with the Hele-on Bus website, if routes have been modified or canceled for Monday.

All state offices, state Department of Education schools, and the University of Hawaiʻi will be closed Monday.

The Food Basket will be closed on Monday and the Kahikina food drive scheduled for Monday will be postponed.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi will be closed on Monday.

As of Sunday at 3 p.m., the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources closed all state parks and forest areas to the public due to the expected continuance of severe weather conditions across the state. 

Until further notice, forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, Na Ala Hele hiking trails, game management areas and campgrounds are closed. 

Officers with DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and state parks staff are working to move out all campers and hikers.  

Those in remote locations who may face dangerous surf, flooding or road conditions are advised to shelter in place. People are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas due to the dangers of rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees, storm surge or high surf. 

Issuance of all state forest camping and state park camping permits has been suspended until further notice.