Kona Low hits Big Island: Stay Safe!

As the Kona Low storm hit the Big Island of Hawai'i, impacting mainly the windward and southern regions on Friday, the Department of Education had to shut down three schools in Ka'u due to flooding, while the Department of Transportation focused on closing roads in Pahala and Na'alehu, and one lane had to remain open following a landslide in Hamakua around the Honomu area; yesterday, the Mayor of Hawai'i issued an emergency proclamation order, aimed at providing residents with the necessary assistance during the storm. This morning, the Mayor's office opened two shelters, namely the Robert Herkes Gym in Pahala and the Na'alehu Community Center. According to the National Weather Service, light to moderate rain may be locally heavy at times over Kauai and Oahu, while periods of heavy rain are expected to increase the potential for flash floods over windward and southeast-facing slopes of the Big Island and Maui, and although showers will decrease in coverage over western areas by tonight, they are expected to continue over favored portions of Maui and the Big Island well into next week.

Active Shelters:

• Na’alehu Community Center: 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Naalehu, HI 96772

• Representative Robert N. Herkes Gym/Pāhala Community Center: 96-1149 Kamani Street Pāhala, HI 96777

Experiencing Flooding:

• Request Sandbags from the Department of Public Works Highway Maintenance Division, call 808-961-8349.

Hawai’i County Interactive Hazard Map: