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<br />Harry Kim <br />Roxcie L. Waltjen <br />Mayor <br />Director <br /> <br /> <br />Maurice C. Messina <br />Wil Okabe <br /> <br />Deputy Director <br />Managing Director <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION <br />101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 <br />(808) 961-8311  Fax (808) 961-8411 <br />Email: parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov <br />http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/ <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br />August 29, 2018 <br />Pahoa Emergency Evacuation Shelter Closes September 17 <br /> <br />The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announces the Pahoa Emergency <br />Evacuation Shelter will cease operations on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 12:00 noon. <br /> <br />Since May 3, 2018, the Pahoa shelter has been in operation and at one point housed over 550 <br />evacuees who were displaced due to the 2018 Puna lava event. <br /> <br />“We have about 45 evacuees left in the shelter and we’re working with the American Red Cross, <br />Salvation Army, Hope Services, the Office of Housing and Development, the Office of Aging, <br />and FEMA to assist the remaining shelter residents with housing transition plans,” said Director <br />of Parks and Recreation Roxcie Waltjen. <br /> <br />“This has been the longest-running emergency shelter in the history of Hawai‘i, and we will have <br />been in operation for 138 days as of September 17, 2018,” Waltjen said. “I want to thank all of <br />the shelter workers, and the support provided from healthcare and mental health professionals <br />who worked behind the scenes in providing a safe, caring and healthy environment for the <br />evacuees.” <br /> <br />Waltjen extended a special Mahalo to Senator Josh Green, an emergency room physician who <br />provided medical services, and to Hawai‘i County Councilman Tim Richards, a veterinarian who <br />provided veterinary services at the onset of shelter operations. “They were instrumental in <br />ensuring a healthy shelter when it was at its most vulnerable state,” Waltjen said. <br /> <br />“The Department and our partners have been working diligently to provide services and <br />transition assistance to the shelter occupants. I’m hopeful that those remaining in the shelter <br />will take the utmost advantage of the services being offered and do their part in resolving their <br />housing issues,” Waltjen said. <br /> <br />For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at 961-8311. <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br /> <br />