HAWAIʻI COUNTY LIFTS ALL EVACUATIONS, OPENS AKONI PULE HIGHWAY 

HAWAIʻI COUNTY LIFTS ALL EVACUATIONS, OPENS AKONI PULE HIGHWAY 

Hawaiʻi County reports that the remaining evacuation orders for the southern portion of Kohala Ranch have been lifted. Access is now available via the Kohala Mountain Road and Highway 270. Additionally, evactuation orders for the Villas and South Fairways at Mauna Kea have been also been lifted, and access to and from the resort area is also now allowed. Guests at the resort are no longer required to shelter in place.

The Akoni Pule Highway closure between the 6 and 17-mile markers has been lifted as well. At this time, there are no closures of any major highways on Hawaiʻi Island as a result of the South Kohala brushfires.

Also, the two brushfires that just flared up in Kaʻū in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala have been neutralized thanks to the swift work of the Hawaiʻi Fire Department.

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea has been contained.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department (HFD) crews and aparatuses will remain on scene at all incidents and unnecessary travel through the affected areas is discouraged.

Shelters will remain open through 8 pm this evening, August 9, at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela.

Breezy, dry conditions are causing a continuance in the Red Flag Warning for the County of Hawaiʻi. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.