8 AM: Portion of Highway 190 Remains Closed

Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, 8 a.m.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports the following roads status due to the Waikoloa brush fire:

Highway 190 between the Waikoloa Road junction and Daniel K Inouye Highway is closed. All others roads are open.

Daniel K. Inouye Highway is open, drivers can only travel south on Highway 190 (toward Kona).

To access Waikoloa or Waimea use Old Saddle Road to Highway 190.

5:30 a.m.: Road Closure Update

Hawai‘i Police Department reports the following roads remain closed due to the Waikoloa brush fire:

Highway 190 between the Waikoloa Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.

Daniel K. Inouye Highway between the Waikii turnoff and Highway 190 junction.

Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Pu‘u Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.

For motorists traveling between Hilo and Kona, use Daniel K. Inouye Highway to the Old Saddle Road junction at Mile Marker 43 to Highway 190, detour through Waikoloa to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. Waimea through Kawaihae Rd to Queen Kaahumanu Highway is open.

Highway 11 is open for motorists traveling south.

Saturday, Aug. 4, 6:10 p.m.: 15,000 Acres, 70% Contained

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports that the brush fire is currently 15,00 acres with 70% containment.

Areas of active burning inside established fire breaks with multiple hot spots through out burned area south of Waikoloa Road and west of Highway 190.

Crews are actively monitoring and extinguishing hot spots that are accessible by ground vehicles. Helicopter water drops are being utilized to extinguish hot spots and active burning in areas that are not accessible by ground.

5 a.m.: Road Closure Update

Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the following roads remain closed due to the Waikoloa brush fire:

Highway 190 between the Waikoloa Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.

Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Pu‘u Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.

Daniel K. Inouye Highway between the Old Saddle Road junction and Highway 190 junction.

For motorists traveling between Hilo and Kona, use Daniel K. Inouye Highway to the Old Saddle Road junction at Mile Marker 43 to Highway 190, detour through Waikoloa to Queen Ka‘ahumanu.

Waimea through Kawaihae to Queen Kaahumanu Hwy is open.

Highway 11 is open to motorists traveling south.

Friday, Aug. 3, 6:15 p.m.: Waikoloa Road Open

The Hawai‘i Police Department reports that Waikoloa Road is now open to traffic.

Motorists will have to take a left turn onto Highway 190 (toward Waimea) as Highway 190 remains closed south of Waikoloa Road.

New Saddle Road remains closed from the 43 mile marker west to Highway 190. Old Saddle Road is open to traffic. Highway 190 remains closed from Waikoloa Road south to Puulani Ranch. Highway 190 is open to local traffic only from Kaiminani Road north to Pu‘ulani Ranch.

Drive carefully as there may be smoke on the roadways.

4:45 p.m.: Roads Remain Closed, No Structural Fire at Queens’

The minor fire reported at 3 p.m. affected a barricade fronting a vacant space at Queens’ MarketPlace. The minor damage was limited to the barricade only.

There is no structural fire at Queens’ MarketPlace, according to a report by Property Manager Dawn Deehan at 4 p.m.

“There was a small, accidental fire outdoors, along the side of a vacant building space, caused by a cigarette,” she said. “It was spotted by security and put out within minutes by Queens’ MarketPlace property management personnel and the South Kohala Fire Department.”

She said that there was no structural damage or immediate threat to anyone in the vicinity. Queens’ MarketPlace remains open and safe to the public and can still be accessed by Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway.”

3 p.m: Roads Remain Closed, Structure Fire at Queen’s Marketplace

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the following roads remain closed due to the Waikoloa brush fire:

• Highway 190 between the Old Saddle Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.
• Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Pu‘u Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.
• Waikoloa Road between Waikoloa Village and Highway 190 junction.
• Daniel K. Inouye Hwy between the Old Saddle Road junction and Hwy 190 junction.

For motorists traveling Hilo to Kona, use Hāmākua to Waimea or Daniel K. Inouye Highway to the Old Saddle Road junction at Mile Marker 43 detour to Waimea. Waimea through Kawaihae to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway is open. Motorist traveling south, Highway 11 is open.

Additionally, fire crews are responding to a structural fire at the Queen’s Shops in Waikoloa. The extent of the fire is unknown at this time. Stay alert and away from this area. This is not related to the Waikoloa brush fire.

12:30 p.m: Fire is 25% Contained

The brush fire is currently 13,000 acres and is 25% contained. There have been no injuries and no structures have been lost.

Currently the fire is actively burning South of Waikoloa Road and West of Highway 190. Highway 190 is threatened in multiple locations and crews are actively working to prevent the fire from jumping the highway.

There is also an area of active burning near the 3.5 mile marker that is approximately .5 miles from Waikoloa Road. Helicopters are actively dropping water on this location. Much of the fire is inaccessible to ground units and we are working to contain these areas with fire breaks utilizing 5 dozers and 4 helicopters, to include 2 military Black Hawk aircraft.

Strong and gusty winds are making this a very difficult fire to contain.

The public should also be aware that these strong winds are generating large dust clouds. Due to the fire activity, Hwy 190 will be closed for the foreseeable future.

The incident management team understands the inconvenience of these road closures and is making every effort to reopen the roads when it becomes safe to do so.

8 a.m: Roads Remain Closed

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the following roads remain closed due to the Waikoloa brush fire;

• Highway 190 between the Old Saddle Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.
• Hwy 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Puu Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.
• Waikoloa Road between Waikoloa Village and Highway 190 junction.
• Daniel K. Inouye Hwy between the Old Saddle Road junction and Hwy 190 junction.

For motorists traveling Hilo to Kona, use Hāmākua to Waimea or Daniel K. Inouye Hwy to the Old Saddle Road junction at Mile Marker 43 detour to Waimea. Waimea thru Kawaihae to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy is open. Motorist traveling south, Hwy 11 is open.

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018: 5:45 p.m.: Traffic is Extremely Backed Up

The Hawai‘i Police Department reports traffic is extremely backed up on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road due to the brush fire which closed down Highway 190 between Old Saddle Road to Pu‘u Lani Ranch and Waikola Village to Highway 190 Junction.

Avoid the area if possible.  Motorists traveling west or east, consider Highway 11 through South Kona, Ka‘ū, and Puna as an alternate route.

12:15 p.m.: Fire Has Extended Along Highway 190

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the brush fire near Waikoloa continues to burn.

The fire has extended along Highway 190 requiring the roadway to be closed from the Old Saddle Road junction to Kaiminani Drive.

On roadways:

• Highway 190 is closed between Old Saddle Road and Kaiminani Drive.
• Local traffic will be allowed to Pu‘u Lani.
• Waikoloa Road is closed from Highway 190 to Paniolo Drive.
• Use alternate routes.  Road status and conditions are subject to changes without notice.
• Traffic on Daniel K Inouye and Old Saddle Road must go through Waimea.
• Avoid the area if possible.

10:30 a.m.: Fire Prevention Activities Close Portion of Highway 190

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the brush fire near Waikoloa continues to burn.

Fire prevention is being conducted adjacent to Highway 190 requiring the roadway to be closed from the Old Saddle Road junction to the Daniel K. Inouye junction through late this afternoon.

Waikoloa Road is closed from Highway 190 to Paniolo Drive.

Highway 190 is closed between Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Old Saddle Road.

Road status and conditions are subject to changes without notice.

Avoid the area if possible.

10:10 a.m.: Portion of Route 190 Closed Due to Waikoloa Brush Fire

Route 190 is closed between Old Saddle Road and Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Highway due to brush fire.

At the request of the Hawai‘i Fire Department, the Hawai‘i Police Department has CLOSED Route 190 (Māmalahoa Highway) between Old Saddle Rd and Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Highway. Waikoloa Road also remains CLOSED between Route 190 and Paniolo Avenue. The Hawai‘i Fire Department is still on scene fighting the fire. Drive safely.

5:30 a.m.: Waikoloa Brush Fire Contained Behind Break

The Hawai‘i Fire Department reports the brush fire near Waikoloa continues to burn and has been kept behind the fire break away from Waikoloa Village.

Waikoloa Road is closed from Highway 190 to Paniolo Drive.

Highway 190 is open, drivers must use caution and reduce speed between Daniel K Inouye Highway and Old Saddle Road.

Road status and conditions are subject to changes without notice.

Avoid the area if possible.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 1 : Waikoloa Road Closure Due to Brush Fire, Heavy Smoke in Waikoloa

Hawai‘i County Fire Department is reporting heavy smoke blowing into Waikoloa Village. HFD asks people to monitor air conditions and if you have respiratory issues take necessary precautions.

Hawai‘i County firefighters are on the scene and maintaining control of the fire.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m.: Route 190 (Māmalahoa Highway) is Now Open

Waikoloa Road remains CLOSED between Route 190 (Māmalohoa Highway and Paniolo Avenue. At 7:30 p.m. the brush fire is blowing heavy smoke into Waikoloa Village. If you have respiratory issues, take necessary precautions.

Original Post: Wednesday, Aug. 1

Route 190 (Mamalahoa Highway) is closed between Old Saddle Road and Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Highway. Waikoloa Road is also CLOSED from Route 190 to Paniolo Avenue. These closures are due to a brush fire. The Hawaii Fire Department is on scene, fighting the fire. Avoid the area.