MAUI BRACES FOR STORM: WHAT’S OPEN AND CLOSED FOR TUESDAY?

(Updated at 4:55 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009 by Wendy Osher)

The County’s Emergency Operating Center (EOC) was activated today at noon and will be staffed through the night as the county prepares for the effects of Tropical Storm Felicia.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares speaks to our news crew to update us on Felicia preparations. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The county plans to begin opening ten shelters across Maui, Molokai and Lanai at 10 o’clock tonight (Monday, August 10, 2009). Shelters staffed by the American Red Cross on Maui include Hana School Gym, War Memorial Gym, Kihei Community Center, Lahaina Civic Center, Eddie Tam Gym, Makawao Community Center, and the Haiku Community Center; on Molokai there’s shelters at Molokai High School Gym, and the Mitchell Pauole Community Center; and on Lanai, the lone shelter is at the Lanai High School Gym. Pet services will be available at all Maui Island shelters, but pets must be contained in pet carriers.

All public schools WILL BE OPEN tomorrow, on Tuesday, August 11. There is one charter school that will be closed: Kua O ka La school in (Pahoa). Again, all public schools will remain open on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.

County officials also announced a number of closures and cancellations in conjunction with anticipated weather conditions.

All County of Maui parks, the Waiehu Golf Course, County campgrounds and swimming pools will be closed on Tuesday and facilities are scheduled to remain closed Wednesday as well.

State and County officials are briefed on the track of Felicia at a briefing on Monday at the County Emergency Operating Center. Photo Courtesy: County of Maui.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the following state parks for Tuesday: Waianapanapa, Kaumahina Wayside, Pua’a Ka’a, Polipoli springs, Makena State Park, Kula Forest Reserve and Waihou Spring Forest Reserve. The ‘Iao Valley state park will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

At 5:00 pm HST, the center of tropical storm Felicia was located about 210 miles…east-northeast of Hilo and was moving toward the west at a rate of about 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts.

(Updated at 4:55 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009 by Wendy Osher)