Emergency proclamations signed in response to Kahikinui brush fire

Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 5:45 p.m. Sunday in response to the ongoing brush fire in Kahikinui. The EP authorizes the County to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response.  

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor, also signed an Emergency Proclamation at 6:08 p.m. in response to the Kahikinui fire. This proclamation authorizes the Adjutant General to activate the Hawai‘i National Guard to deploy state resources as needed to aid in fire suppression and protect public health and safety, property and natural resources. It also suspends laws that might impede or delay the execution of emergency functions.

The Kahikinui fire has burned 500 acres since it was first reported on Sunday morning. It also forced the evacuation of dozens of residents from Kahikinui homestead lots in the remote community.

Crews monitored the blaze overnight and are scheduled to resume active firefighting operations today.