Hawaiʻi County convoys deliver essential supplies to Ka‘ū following Hurricane Lala

The County of Hawai‘i led convoys of supplies into the Ka‘ū District on Tuesday, bringing truckloads of ice, water and other essential supplies to residents impacted by Hurricane Lala.

The supplies were donated by community members and local businesses and were trucked in by volunteers in coordination with the County of Hawai‘i and nonprofit organizations.

“We recognize the need around the island, and the County of Hawai‘i is leading a coordinated effort to meet those needs with tremendous support from our community organizations and volunteers,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “Our initial focus was on communities with the most complicated access issues, and we are continuing to assess needs and direct resources wherever they are needed.”

The convoys, escorted by the Police Department, are a continuation of relief efforts and the distribution of aid that has been underway in the aftermath of the storm, which has included the airlifting of supplies into Wood Valley by the Hawai‘i Fire Department and the establishment of Points of Distribution (PODS) in coordination with nonprofit organizations.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense’s human services branch is coordinating with Vibrant Hawaiʻi and other community partners to distribute supplies at PODS at locations around the island. For the locations of the PODS and hours, visit the Vibrant Hawaii website: www.vibranthawaii.org/lala.

How to help:

Those who want to make donations of supplies for relief on the Big Island, call the Vibrant Hawai‘i Coordination Line at 802-365-1808.  Monetary donations can be made to the Hawai‘i Island Strong Fund established by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation at www.hawaiiislandstrong.org. 

County operations on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi resume

Hawaiʻi County non-emergency operations will resume and offices will be open on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

• Parks: County parks were heavily impacted by Hurricane Lala. The safety of park users is a top priority, and parks staff have been repairing buildings and grounds and clearing fallen trees to restore safe conditions and access. However, numerous parks and facilities continue to be affected by power outages and storm damage. As a result, some parks and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and possibly longer. The Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and the Hilo Municipal Golf Course will be open for normal operations. For park closure information, visit www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/parks-and-facilities-closures.
• Solid Waste Facilities: The Pāhala transfer station will reopen on Wednesday. Waiʻōhinu transfer station will reopen following completion of cleanup efforts.