HomeMy WebLinkAboutSevere Weather (Red Flag) Brush Fire (2) Emergency Proclamation V of
Lee E.Lord
Managing Director
Mitchell D.Roth
• Robert H.Command
0 Deputy Managing Direcior
Wire of f4rAnVor
25 Aupunl Street,Suite 2603 Hilo,Hawai 196720 a (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553
KO NA: 74-5044 An Keohok3lole Hwy,Bldg C a Kaflua-Kona,Hawal'i 96740
(808)323-4444 a Fax(808)3234440
RED FLAG SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION AND
MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, as amended, provides for the
establishment of County organizations for disaster relief with a director in charge of each
political subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawai'i Revised Statutes and Chapter 7, Articles I and 2 of
the Hawai'i County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the County of Hawai'i and
prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and Section 13-23 oft Hawai'i County
Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to declare emergencies-, and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2023, at 3:17AM the National Weather Service issued a Red
Flag Warning for all Leeward portions oft a State of Hawai'i� including out Kona, Kohala,
and the Interior areas oft a Island of Hawai'i due to strong winds and low humidity. A Red
Flag Warning means very dry conditions exist and the brush fire is for these areas are being
intensified by current conditions of strong and gusty easterly winds of thirty(30) to forty-five
(45) mph with gusts of approximately sixty(60) mph are being further impacted by high levels
of humidity of thirty-five (35) to forty-five (45) percent. This means that critical fire weather
conditions are occurring and can contribute to extreme fire behavior meaning that any fires that
develop will likely spread rapidly; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of August 8, 2023, two separate brush fires on
the Island of Hawai'i, began actively buming affecting two separate Big Island communities in
both North and out Kohala; and
WHEREAS, at approximately 2:45AM, a brush fire in the Kohala Ranch area was
reported. The Hawai'i Police Department has issued a mandatory evacuation to all residents of
the Kohala Ranch area (both upper and lower Kohala Ranch). The County of Hawaii has
opened an evacuation shelter tote public at Hisaoka Gym located at the Kamehameha Park in
Kapa'au. Additionally, the following road closures are in effect: (1) Akoni Pule Highway
(Highway 270) between the six(6) and seven (7) mile markers it further notice; and (2)
Kawaihae Road (Highway 19) between Kawaihae and Waimea(due to downed utility lines near
the sixty-three (63) mile marker); and
Counly ofliuwa'i its an Equall Opponunky I'mvider and IEnplleyer
Red Flag Severe Weather Emergency Proclamation and Mandatory Evacuation Order
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, at approximately 5AM, a brush fire in the Lalamilo Farm Lots was reported.
The County of Hawai'i has opened a shelter for the public at the Waimea Community Center-,
and
WHEREAS, due tote possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage and/or
bodily injury to residents of Hawai'i Island, and the need for government agencies and
representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services too island
residents, a Civil Defense state of emergency is authorized pursuant to Chapter 127A, Hawai'i
Revised Statutes, as amended, and Chapter 7, Hawai'i County Code; and
WHEREAS, the danger of disaster is such magnitude to warrant protective action in
order to provide forte health, safety, welfare and protection of the people and pursuant to
Section 127A-13(b)(4), Hawai'i Revised Statutes, the Mayor finds it necessary to appropriate
actions to direct and control the mandatory evacuation oft civilian population.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawai'i, do
hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due tat threat of imminent
disaster on Hawai'i Island, effective August 8, 2023Ju a.m., Hawai'i standard time and I
hereby issue an ORDER requiring the mandatory evacuation of all civilians in the Kohala Ranch
community and the road closures of Akoni Pule Highway 270 between mile markers six (6) and
seven (7), as well as Highway 19 in Kawaihae.
This Emergency Proclamation shall be effective August 8, 2023, and shall terminate in
sixty (60) days unless terminated earlier or extended by a separate proclamation, whichever shall
occur first.
This ORDER is effective at 06' a.m., this 81h day of August, 2023. All persons must
evacuate immediately from the mandatory evacuation area.
�7 ...........
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Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
County of Hawai'i
APPROVED AS TO FORM
L AN GA
'Ty*S�
Dakota K. Frenz
D t3utv C ro
eputy Corporation Co sel
County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opponunay Provider and Employer,