What you need to know about Hurricane Lala recovery: Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary to reopen next week; power returned to customers in Pāhala
Updated regularly
Federal emergency declaration for Hawaiʻi
Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that federal disaster assistance is available to Hawaiʻi County to supplement state and local response efforts because of the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Lala.
President Donald J. Trump approved the emergency declaration requested by Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green, authorizing the agency to coordinate federal disaster relief efforts to alleviate hardship and suffering caused by the emergency and provide appropriate assistance to save lives and protect property, public health and safety as well as lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe.
Hawaiian Electric
Hawaiian Electric reached a major restoration milestone Wednesday on Hawaiʻi Island with the successful return of a key transmission line from Pāhala to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park area, allowing crews to return power to customers in Pāhala.
Service was restored to about 1,300 customers since Wednesday morning, and work continues around the clock to restore the about 1,600 customers still without power as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The transmission line restoration marks significant progress in recovery efforts and strengthens the electric system serving communities in southern Hawaiʻi Island.
Crews continue working to assess damage, rebuild infrastructure and restore service to remaining customers in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Additional personnel, equipment and resources from across the state and the mainland continue to support restoration efforts as outage numbers decline.
Hawaiian Electric’s estimated restoration times as of 1 p.m. Wednesday based on the best information:
Within 24 hours for most, extended outages for some
- Upper Puna: Hawaiian Acres, Royal Hawaiian Estates, Fern Forest, Glenwood, Mountain View
- Lower Puna: Hawaiian Paradise Park, Leilani Estates, Nānāwale Estates, Orchidland
- Kaʻū: Oceanview, Pāhala (transmission lines)
- South Kona: Kaloko Mauka to Hōlualoa
- Kohala: Māliu Ridge, Halaʻula to Hāwī
- Hāmākua: Upper and Lower Āhualoa
Beyond 48 hours, significant extended outage possible
- Upper Puna: Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Glenwood, Mountain View
- Lower Puna: Leilani Estates and Nānāwale Estates
- Kaʻū: Pāhala, Cane Haul Road
- South Kona: Kaloko Mauka to Hālualoa
- Kohala: Māliu Ridge, Halaʻula to Hāwī
- Hāmākua: Upper and Lower Āhualoa
5 to 7 days
- Kaʻū: Nāʻālehu and Pāhala (pocket outages), Punaluʻu (underground work)
By Sept. 8 for full restoration; many sooner:
- Kaʻū: Nāʻālehu and Pāhala (small pockets), Punaluʻu and Kapāpala (underground work), Wood Valley
This list does not represent every community or pocket of customers currently without power on Hawai‘i Island. The utility said even if your area isn’t listed here, it is aware and working on restorations.
Visit the Hawaiian Electric website to get the latest information about power outages and estimated restoration times.
Customers who experienced major flooding and have not had their power restored must ensure their main breaker is off and contact an electrician to confirm their system is safe to re-energize once power is restored.
If you have photovoltaic panels and battery energy storage systems installed on your home or business, consult your licensed solar contractor regarding normal and emergency operation procedures for your system.
Customers without power but see their neighbors have electricity restored should call the utility’s trouble line at 1-855-304-9191 or report it online.
Customers also can call the above number to report any downed power lines, which should always be treated as energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance only. Customers also can sign up to receive emergency outage alerts.
There also is a lot of misinformation circulating about filing a claim after a power outage. More information about filing damage claims can be found on the Hawaiian Electric website.
Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply
Nā‘ālehu to Wai‘ohinu (includes Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Subdivision, Green Sands Subdivision, and South Point Road areas):
- Hawaiian Electric power was restored to Nā‘ālehu well, Nā‘ālehu booster station and Wai‘ohinu Houselots booster station
- Water is being boosted from Nāʻālehu tank to its upper tanks and also being hauled to Discovery Harbor off-site and South Point Road tanks
- As tanks are filled, water service to customer taps will slowly be restored. Limit use to essential needs only to help increase the water stored in these tanks
- Continued checks for leaks in sections of waterlines being refilled as service is restored.
- Water service will be incrementally expanded in these areas.
- Field assessments are underway with Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency on damages to county water systems.
- A precautionary boil water notice remains in effect until further notice for all customers in these areas.
- Potable water tankers are located across from Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware and at Discovery Harbor Clubhouse for public use. Use water for essential purposes only.
Upper Mountain View
- Hawaiian Electric power has not been restored yet to ʻŌlaʻa No. 7 booster and No. 8 booster station.
- ʻŌlaʻa No. 7 booster is operating on generator power.
- Water continues to be hauled to Mountain View No. 2 tank (North Peck Road/Ihope Road).
- A potable water tanker is deployed along North Peck Road for public use. Use water for essential purposes only.
Pāhala
- Hawaiian Electric power has not yet been restored to the Pāhala well, which is operating on generator power. Use water for essential purposes only.
- There remains no timetable for repairs to waterlines for water sources above Pāhala, which sustained significant damage.
- Spigots are available on the fire hydrant fronting Ka‘ū Hospital for Punalu‘u residents. Use water for essential purposes only.
- A 2-inch outlet is available from the fire hydrant fronting Ka‘ū Hospital for ranchers to fill water tankers.
For more information about water service outages, click here.
Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply also warns the public about reports of people posing as department employees and attempting to collect payment for an alleged past due water bill.
The department does not show up unannounced at residences to collect payments for past due balances. Employees also operate marked vehicles and carry official identification cards at all times.
Food distribution
The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is serving up warm meals to high-impact areas across Hawaiʻi Island this week.
Lunch and dinner meals are being served at shelters throughout Kaʻū, with nearly 550 meals already served. Walmart, Waiākea Water, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue and Kaleo’s Bar and Grill also joined in the effort.
Brown water advisory
A brown water advisory that was in effect for the entire Big Island was canceled by state health officials. However, new advisories were issued for the Hāmākua Coast to Hilo Bay and a portion of the island’s southeast coastline, from Honuʻapo to Punaluʻu.
Disaster relief
Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Human Services is coordinating with Vibrant Hawaiʻi and other community partners to distribute supplies at points of distribution in locations around the island. Visit the Vibrant Hawaiʻi website for locations and hours.
Hot showers
Hot showers are vailable 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium and Shelter (Kaʻū District gym), 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala. Bring your own towel and hygiene products.
Device charging locations
You can charge your devices at the following places:
- Sgt. Rodney J.T. Yano Memorial Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
- Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium and Shelter (Kaʻū District gym), 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
- Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, 95-5695 Māmalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
Roads update
- Public Works continues work to restore Cane Haul Road in Kaʻū.
For an updated list of road closures, visit the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Map: Hazard Impact Map.
Solid waste
- Transfer stations at Pāhala, Waiʻōhinu and Ocean View are open 7 days a week until further notice to assist residents with debris clearing. Bulky items such as sofas and beds are now accepted at the Waiʻōhinu transfer station.
- Roll-off rubbish bins are available for residential waste and bulk items at 95-5572 Māmalahoa Highway in Nāʻālehu.
- Transfer stations at Waimea, Kealakehe and Keauhou are accepting green waste 7 days a week.
Requests for assistance
If you were impacted by Hurricane Lala and need assistance, submit a request for assistance. Completing the form will help direct resources to community needs.
Report damage
Report property damage to Civil Defense. Damage reports can be submitted online or by calling Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
Call U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency at 808-933-8334 to report agricultural damage.
Every damage report counts. Reporting damages helps Civil Defense better understand the magnitude of impact caused by Hurricane Lala and document it for potential recovery assistance.
Donations
Call the Vibrant Hawai‘i Coordination Line at 802-365-1808 to make donations of supplies.
Monetary donations can be made to the Hawai‘i Island Strong Fund established by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
9-1-1 for emergencies only
If you are in a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. For all other storm-related needs, go online and fill out a request for assistance or call Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
County officials urge the public to continue avoiding any unnecessary travel into Kaʻū to help quicken emergency response.
Insurance assistance
Zephyr Insurance, Hawai‘i’s hurricane insurance provider, opens an additional claim assistance center today (Aug. 27) in Hilo to provide in-person assistance to policyholders impacted by Hurricane Lala.
Representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help policyholders report hurricane-related damage, answer questions about their policies and provide guidance through the claims process.
The Hilo assistance center is located at Business Insurance Services, 1080 Kīlauea Ave.
Public schools
Hawai‘i Department of Education announced Wednesday that Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School will reopen Aug. 31 for in-person learning, while Nāʻālehu Elementary students will go start temporary classes Sept. 2 at the Kaʻū High gym.
Updates are being posted online.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park partially reopens
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park partially reopened some areas along the Kīlauea summit. Crater Rim Drive West, from the park entrance to Uēkahuna, as well as the Welcome Center and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store.
Popular overlooks such as Kīlauea Overlook and Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents) also are open.
Mauna Loa Road is open to Kīpukapuaulu. Tree Molds and the day-use area also are open.
Volcano Art Center Gallery is open. Volcano House is open and offering a limited menu in its restaurants. Kilauea Military Camp is open to authorized patrons.
Still closed in the park:
- Kahuku Unit until further notice.
- Nāmakanipaio Campground until further notice.
- Kīpukapuaulu Trail because of tree hazards.
- All areas not mentioned as open remain closed while park staff continue to address hazards, but will reopen as soon as they are deemed safe.
Park visitors coming from the west side of the island are urged to use Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, or Highway 19 along the Hāmākua Coast to avoid using the Highway 11 southern route through Kaʻū.
Park electricity, air quality monitoring system and communications were restored.
Check the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website and connect with official park social media on Facebook, Instagram and X for additional updates.
Nāʻālehu Cemetery
A multi-agency effort, in consultation with subject matter experts and cultural practitioners, continues to recover human remains displaced from graves by flood waters at Nāʻālehu Cemetery.
The public and media are asked to be respectful of this sensitive recovery effort. Allow the team room to work and do not take any pictures or video that might show human remains.
Do not touch or move human remains. Anyone who finds human remains is asked to contact Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
Online resources
- Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
- Emergency management contacts
- Weather information/forecasts
- Storm-related park updates
Banks
Bank of Hawai‘i Kā‘u branch, located at 96-3163 Pīkake St. Pāhala, remains temporarily closed.
