HONOLULU — Acting governor, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, signed an emergency proclamation to in response to the rapidly moving brush fire in Hapapepe, Kauai at 4:33 p.m., according to the governor's office.
Kaua‘i Fire Department firefighters, county personnel and private landowners began responding the estimated 28-acre brush fire in Hanapepe, west of Moi Road, late Monday morning.
The proclamation authorizes the use of government resources to protect public health and safety, property and natural resources, as well as the Adjutant General to activate the Hawaii National Guard to deploy state resources, as needed, to aid in fire suppression and evacuation.
It also suspends laws that might impede or delay the execution of emergency functions. A copy of the executed EP is linked and is posted on the Emergency Proclamations page on the Governor’s website.
See below for fire response, evacuation and community information:
FIRE RESPONSE: Firefighters and partners continue to respond to the brush fire threatening multiple structures in Kaumakani.
EVACUATIONS: Area residents in Kaumakani are advised to evacuate the area immediately due to a fast-moving brush fire. Kaua‘i Police Department officers are conducting door-to-door evacuations.
KAUAI BUS: The Kauai Bus is on standby to evacuate residents near Aloha Sweet Delites.
WATER NOTICE: The Department of Water (DOW) has issued a water conservation notice for customers from Hanapepe to Kekaha until further notice. Customers are advised to limit water use to essential needs only to avoid a water service outage.
ROAD CLOSURE: Kaumualii Highway, between Lele Road in Hanapepe and Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites, is now open for one lane of alternating traffic. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the area as fire crews and partners continue to respond to the fire. For updates on road closures, call 808-241-1725.
KIUC UPDATE: The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced that it is de-energizing its transmission lines from Kaumakani to Mana due to the fire in Hanapēpē. All members served by those lines will be without power until further notice.
SHELTER INFO: Two shelters are currently open — one at Waimea High School, and one at Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center. The Kalaheo Neighborhood Center shelter has been stood down. If you are west of the road closure needing shelter, please head to Waimea High School. If you are east of the road closure, please head to Hanapepe Neighborhood Center.
EOC ACTIVATED: The Kauai Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center is fully activated.
KPD DISPATCH: Kauai Police Dispatch advises the community not to call 9-1-1 for updates. Only call for emergencies. Dispatchers are being inundated with too many calls
County of Kauai Summer Fun: Due to a road closure on Kaumualii Highway and the brush fire response, Summer Fun staff will continue to be at the Kekaha location with the participants until the highway reopens.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
According to a preliminary report, Kauai Police Dispatch received a report of a brush fire west of Moi Road shortly before noon on Monday.
Firefighters with the Hanapepe, Kalaheo, and Waimea fire stations, Tanker 1, Air 1, Air 2, the Department of Public Works, Gay and Robison with a water tanker, a private contractor with a dozer, and other partners are responding to this incident.
Updates will be provided when more information becomes available.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with one lane opening. (July 15, 2024)