UPDATE : 5 :45 p.m.
Kauai County officials have opened a second emergency shelter as firefighters battle a fast-moving brushfire in Hanapepe.
The county opened a shelter or Kaumakani residents under an evacuation notice at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, officials said late this afternoon. Earlier in the day, the state Department of Education opened a shelter for Kaumakani residents at Waimea High School.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross are at both locations.
County officials said because of the closure of Kaumualii Highway, from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Deletes, Summer Fun staff will remain at the Kekaha location with the participants until the highway reopens.
The Kauai Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center has been fully activated.
Kauaii police asked the public to call 911 only for emergencies, and not for updates on the fire. “Dispatchers are being inundated with too many calls, ” county officials said.
5 p.m.
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke has issued an emergency proclamation as Kauai firefighters battle a fast-moving brushfire in Hanapepe that has led to evacuations, power shutoffs and the opening of an emergency shelter at Waimea High School.
“This proclamation authorizes the use of government resources to protect public health and safety, property and natural resources, ” according to a news release from the governor’s office. “It authorizes 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.”
Kauai firefighters and other county personnel, as well as private landowners, began responding to the estimated 28-acre brush fire in Hanapepe west of Moi Road before noon today, the release said.
The county’s Department of Water also 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, ” officials said.
3 :45 p.m.
The state Department of Education has opened an emergency shelter at Waimea High School for Kaumakani residents who are under an evacuation order due to a fast-moving brushfire, Kauai County officials said.
Separately, the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative said it is de-energizing its transmission lines from Hanapepe and Kaumakani due to the fire. “All members served by those lines will be without power until further notice, ” KIUC said.
“The rest of the west side is being powered by other generation sources. There is no timeline for restoration of power for Hanapepe and Kaumakani, ” officials said.
2 :50 p.m.
Kauai County officials have issued an evacuation notice for residents in Kaumakani. Kaumualii Highway will be closed from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani.
“Area residents in Kaumakani are advised to evacuate the area immediately due a fast-moving brush fire. Kaumuali’i Highway is closed from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites, ” according to a statement.
Firefighters and partners are responding to the fire.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE Kauai County officials say firefighters and private landowners are currently battling a brushfire estimated at 28 acres in Hanapepe.
Police dispatch received a report of the brushfire west of Moi Road shortly before noon today.
There are no reports of threats to housing or road closures at this time, officials said. The fire is moving west, away from the residential neighborhood.
The Kauai Fire Department has mobilized firefighters from the Hanapepe, Kalaheo, and Waimea fire stations, along with Tanker 1 and the Air 1 and Air 2 helicopters.
The Department of Public Works has also responded and is getting assistance from a Gay and Robinson water tanker and a dozer from a private contractor.
Officials advise area residents to monitor local media for updates. The Department of Education has opened a public shelter at Waimea High School for Kaumakani residents.
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