Gov. Announces Statewide Status as Lane Approaches

Gov. David Ige released the following status report on statewide systems on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2018:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS/UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I SYSTEM

Hawai‘i public schools and the Hawai‘i Department of Education offices across the state will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 23 and 24.

All University of Hawai‘i campuses and System offices on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i will be closed Thursday through Sunday. Athletic events for Thursday and Friday are canceled. UH campuses on Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i remain closed until further notice.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) continues to make preparations in an effort to minimize the storm’s impacts to public transportation.

COMMERCIAL HARBORS

The state is in the process of closing commercial harbors and ensuring that ships leave the ports. Harbor notices have been sent to all vessel owners, informing them that their vessels must vacate the harbors prior to the storm unless they have written exemptions.

“This is important because the harbors are our lifeline to essentials such as food and products. We must protect the harbors and piers so that shipping operations can resume once the storm has passed,” Gov. Ige said.

In addition, the United States Coast Guard is working with state and local partners on ocean safety preparations. It will issue broadcast notices to mariners and marine safety bulletins for further instructions.

HIGHWAYS

Hawai‘i Island: The state urges drivers to stay away from Akoni Pule Highway, which may be closed.

HDOT is closing or may close highways that have been susceptible to flooding and severe weather in the past. The highways include:

O‘ahu: Pali Highway, Kailua-bound lanes will be closed starting 8:00 p.m. Thursday.

Kaua‘i: Kuhio Highway on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, which will be closed on Friday. There will be no guided access connecting Hanalei to Wainiha after the 11 p.m. convoy on Thursday.

Maui: The state urges drivers to stay off of Hāna Highway, which MAY be closed.

In addition, contraflow and Zipper Lane operations are suspended. The HDOT has also canceled all routine maintenance projects. Crews are focusing on clearing drains and canals of debris.

AIRPORTS

The state’s 15 airports and their runways will remain open and accessible, barring any infrastructure damage or debris that would make flight operations unsafe.

HAWAI‘I TOURISM AUTHORITY

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority urges visitors to heed hurricane-related notices and warnings from airlines, hotels and the media. Hotels are well prepared to handle a crisis.

GOVERNOR’S COORDINATOR ON HOMELESSNESS

Outreach workers started notifying homeless campers on Tuesday, that Hurricane Lane would pose a significant threat to life and property. Workers especially focused on campers in low lying areas near streams. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and HDOT staff are assisting with outreach to homeless individuals who live on state lands.