Hawaiʻi County facilities to close Friday, Saturday as strong kona low arrives

Hawaiʻi County will close all non-emergency services and operations Friday and Saturday (March 13-14) as a strong kona low moves through the state and over Hawaiʻi Island.

Closures affect all county offices as well as park facilities including Hilo Municipal Golf Course and Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens plus all solid waste facilities.

All fixed route Hele-On buses and Paratransit services are canceled Saturday. Fixed route cancellations and modifications for Friday can be viewed on the Hele-On X page or by calling 808-961-8744, ext. 1.

Call 808-640-1020 for additional paratransit updates.

Camping permits at county parks also are canceled from Friday through Monday morning (March 16).

“Our administration, working with our state and emergency management partners, has been closely monitoring this developing storm and we expect conditions to worsen Friday and through the weekend,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda in the closure announcement. “To protect public safety, and to give our residents time to prepare for what this storm could bring, non-emergency county operations will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday through Saturday.”

The county also asks residents to avoid all nonessential travel during the expected severe weather and be prepared for potential flooding and power outages.

This kona low is forecast to produce strong — possibly damaging — southerly winds, with the potential for areas that don’t typically experience heavy rainfall or strong winds to see significant impacts.

Peak impacts — including strong, locally damaging winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain that can cause flooding — are forecast from Friday through Sunday (March 15).

Impacts could vary widely depending on location and local terrain as well as occur in a series of waves while storm bands pass over the island.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu say Kona, Kaʻū and Kohala have the greatest risk for flash flooding through Sunday. North Kona, Puna and Hilo could see the strongest winds through the weekend, with gusts potentially up to 60 mph.

There is a risk for downed trees and landslides also will grow as soil becomes saturated.

A flood watch is in effect through Saturday afternoon along with a high wind watch from Friday morning through late Saturday night for the Big Island.

Big Island summits also are under a high wind warning and winter weather warning, with blizzard conditions and wind gusts of up to 110 mph possible above 12,000 feet on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

General safety information

• Avoid nonessential travel and consider changing or delaying travel plans or outdoor activities during inclement weather, especially routes with low-lying areas prone to flooding.
• Know the areas prone to flooding, particularly near your home, and use extra caution around them. Heavy rain uphill from your location can cause flooding, even if it’s not raining where you are.
• Never try to cross moving water, on foot or in a vehicle: Turn around, don’t drown.
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Have a “go bag” ready in case you must evacuate, especially if your home is in an area prone to flooding. It should include food, water, necessary medication, important documents and other necessities for household members — including pets.
• Check in with neighbors, especially those who might have mobility problems, to make sure they have a safe way to evacuate if flooding strikes.

Stay informed

Hawaiʻi County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents can also receive emergency notifications by signing up for Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense alerts.

View the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Impact Map for additional weather-related information.

Other government and school closures

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green also announced later this afternoon that Hawaiʻi Island will join Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Maui County on Friday in closing all public and charter schools, Hawaiʻi Judiciary facilities and services as well as state offices as a major kona low continues to move through the state.

Affected state employees will receive administrative leave for Friday. Essential personnel and emergency response workers should follow guidance from their supervisors.

Visit the state Judiciary website for additional information about those closures.

All University of Hawaiʻi campuses statewide are also closed Friday because of expected severe weather.

The closure affects all scheduled classes and events, including the OUTRIGGER Invitational men’s volleyball tournament and a Rainbow Wāhine softball game at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Check the University of Hawaiʻi Athletics website for more details.

All outdoor events scheduled at University of Hawaiʻi facilities for Saturday are canceled as well out of precaution. This includes Kapiʻolani Community College Farmers Market and Maui College Swap Meet.

University officials will assess conditions Friday and determine if additional closures are necessary Saturday.

The inclement weather resulted in Hawaiʻi Legislature closing Friday, too.

All state Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for Friday are postponed, and floor sessions in both chambers will not be convened.

State park closures

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources reports all state parks on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island are now closed until further notice because of continuing and additional severe weather expected throughout the state.

Closures will remain in effect until state and county emergency management agencies determine it is safe to resume normal operations.

People are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas because of dangers associated with rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees, storm surge or high surf.

Emergency response or rescue from these areas could be delayed.

The state Land Department asks for everyone’s cooperation. Refunds will be credited to accounts of anyone who misses camping nights because of storm closures.

Visit the Hawaiʻi State Parks web page for updates about storm-related park closures.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closures

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ahead of the forecast severe weather enacted the following temporary closures:

• Mauna Loa summit is closed. Blizzard conditions and wind speeds up to 100 mph or more are expected.
• Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout will close as of 2 p.m. Friday to everyone, including pedestrians and bicycles.
• Kīpukapuaulu Trail Tent camping at Nāmakanipaio campground will close at 2 p.m. Friday.
• All backcountry camping sites including Red Hill Cabin, coastal backcountry and Pepeiao Cabin will close as of 2 p.m. Friday.
• Chain of Craters Road at Crater Rim Drive intersection near Devastation Trail also will close at 2 p.m. Friday.
• Kahuku Unit is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Kīlauea summit areas will remain open, including the Welcome Center, Kilauea Military Camp, Volcano House and front country trails. Crater Rim Drive West is open from the park entrance to Kilauea Military Camp.

Access to areas west of Kilauea Military Camp, including Kīlauea Overlook and Uēkahuna, is closed because of ongoing cleanup of large amounts of tephra from the recent lava fountaining episode.

Access to areas west of Kilauea Military Camp on Crater Rim Trail is allowed.

Park visitors are advised:

• Use extreme caution on roadways, trails and crosswalks because of reduced visibility.
• Watch out for falling trees and branches.
• Be prepared for heavy rain and wind.

National Park Service staff will reassess conditions Monday and, if safe, will reopen closed areas. Additional unannounced closures could happen because of severe weather.

Public library closures

All Hawaiʻi public libraries on O‘ahu, Kauaʻi, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island will be closed Friday because of the severe weather.

Remember: Hawaiʻi State Public Library System digital doors are always open online whenever the library is closed. You can Download e-books, stream movies, learn a language, read The New York Times and more with your library card.