Kauaʻi County: What you need to know about Tropical Storm Lala

Editor’s Note: Updated at 11:11 a.m. Aug. 17. Information will be regularly updated.

Lala is currently located about 301 miles west-southwest of Līʻhue with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. Lala is moving west at 12 miles per hour.

Here is what you need to know about Lala if you are a resident or are visiting Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Public schools

All Kaua‘i public schools will be closed Monday.

Water outage

The water service outage for Hā‘ena-Wainiha has been lifted. Updates will continue to be posted as they become available at www.kauaiwater.org.

A water conservation notice remains in effect until it is lifted.

Airport

The Līhuʻe Airport remains open. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines directly for information about delays, cancellations or additional changes.

To report damage

The Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency has opened damage reporting portals for the public to submit damage reports related to Tropical Storm Lala. The portal can be found at www.kauai.gov/KEMA.

Road closures/conditions

• Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge is now passable and has been reopened.
• Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of the Manoa Stream is closed.
• Kuamoo Road in Wailua Homesteads is closed due to a downed pole. 
• Pu’u Road in the vicinity of Ihu Road is closed due to a downed tree.
• Kolo Road northbound lane is blocked due to a downed tree.

Areas of refuge

The County, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will continue to operate the following refuge areas through Monday at 6 a.m.: 

• Kauaʻi Veterans Center located at 3215 Kapule Highway in Līhuʻe.

The following refuge areas have been closed:

• Kalāheo Neighborhood Center located at 4480 Papalina Road in Kalāheo; and
• Kapaʻa Middle School located at 4867 Olohena Road in Kapaʻa.

Refuge areas do not provide food, water, bedding, medications, personal caregivers, or medical staff, and anyone going to a refuge area should bring their own disaster supply “go kit.” Household pets are welcome at all designated facilities, though owners must bring their own pet food, water, and crates or cages.

The public is reminded that refuge areas are evacuation options of last resort. In many cases, sheltering in place may be a good option, particularly if the home or structure is sound or hardened and located outside hazardous flood and storm-surge areas. 

County and state closures

• In a coordinated statewide effort, all four counties in Hawaiʻi will have their state and county offices closed on Monday. Essential staff and field personnel will continue storm recovery efforts.
• The Kalalau Trail, the Nāpali Coast State Park and Polihale State Park are closed. The Hā’ena Shuttle has also been suspended.
• All State Forest Reserves are closed.
• All state camping, parks, lands and trails are closed. Refunds will be credited to the accounts of anyone who misses camping nights because of storm closures.
• Pacific Missile Range Facility guest passes and recreational areas are closed until further notice.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles is closed on Monday due to the storm’s impact. All DMV appointments scheduled for Monday must be rescheduled.

Operating normally

• All County Refuse Transfer Stations and the Kekaha Landfill will be open Monday, and the residential refuse pickup schedule will remain unchanged.
• The Kaua’i Bus will be operating on its regular schedule Monday.

Cancellations

The Hawaiian Homes Commission has canceled its scheduled monthly meetings on Monday and Tuesday in Kapa‘a.

Recreation

The public is advised to check conditions before venturing out for hiking, river, or beach excursions. River and stream crossings, recreational trails, and other outdoor recreation areas may quickly become hazardous. During severe weather, emergency rescues may not be possible. Do not cross swollen rivers or streams; always check with a lifeguard at any lifeguard station before entering the ocean. Know before you go.

For up-to-date information about Kauaʻi ocean conditions and safety, please speak to a county lifeguard, visit safebeachday.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative

Members are asked not to call solely to report outages. KIUC’s Outage Management System automatically alerts KIUC when power is lost. Outage status can be monitored on KIUC’s outage map. Please report downed power lines, damaged poles, arcing equipment or any information that may help crews identify hazards and restore service.

Never approach a downed power line. Always assume it is energized, keep others away and call
9-1-1 if there is an immediate danger.

For the latest updates, please view KIUC’s Facebook page.

Brown water advisory

A brown water advisory has been issued for Kauaʻi.

The Hawaii Department of Health advises beach users to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain because the water may contain higher than normal pollutant levels. The Department recommends staying out of these affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.

The Department of Health advises the public to avoid swimming, wading in, or drinking water from any freshwater streams or pond to prevent leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria. If the water is brown, turn around.

For more information and updates, click here.

Department of Water

After the storm has passed, the Department of Water will assess its water infrastructures. If water lines are damaged, or conservation notices have been issued, please continue to conserve water until the Department of Water officially announces that the conservation has been lifted.

Receive Department of Water alerts by signing up for Everbridge, the County of Kaua`i’s mass notification system.

Important numbers and resources

To stay updated, stay tuned to local media broadcast channels for the most up-to-date information. The following provides a list of important resources on emergency preparedness.

• Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency — kauai.gov/kema.
• National Weather Service — weather.gov/hfo, or automated weather line at 808-245-6001.
• Kaua‘i Department of Water — 808-245-5400 and kauaiwater.org/.
• Road and closure conditions — 808-241-1725.

Officials remind the public to use 9-1-1 only for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Calls to 9-1-1 for weather updates or general road conditions can significantly delay emergency response. To report non-emergency road hazards, contact KPD Dispatch (non-emergency) at 808-241-1711.

To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services.” You may also text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.