Kawaihae Road Fire Sunday update #1: Blaze is now 50% contained; evacuation order lifted
Spencer Beach Park remains closed as of this morning, said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda.
8 hours ago
Editor’s note: This story was updated on July 26, 2026, at 8:43 a.m.
Hawai‘i County Firefighters continue to battle a blaze in South Kohala that has scorched approximately 500 acres and is currently 50% contained.
Residents evacuated from the Kawaihae Village subdivision on Saturday will be permitted to return home, however, Kawaihae Road and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway remain closed to all other traffic to facilitate firefighting operations.
The Shelter at the Waimea Community Center will close today at noon.
Spencer Beach Park remains closed as of this morning, said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda.
Alameda said the Hawai‘i National Guard is providing aerial support and has done one 60-gallon water drop so far with its Black Hawk helicopter.
Winds are cooperating so far, and Alameda is hopeful that the county will be able to lift the evacuation order by this evening.
Fifty Hawai‘i County firefighters were on scene battling the fire Saturday night. As of this morning, there are 40.
Kawaihae Road between Wailua Drive and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway between Kawaihae Road and Mauna Kea Beach Road remain closed.
Alameda said that firefighters continue to work on containment by securing the perimeter with dozers and creating fire breaks.
Highway 190, the upper road between Waimea and Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Road, and Kohala Mountain Road are open. For access to Kawaihae Harbor and Akoni Pule Highway, a detour has been established through Kohala Ranch Road.
The public is asked to continue to avoid the area as firefighters continue to battle active flames.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
