HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-29 Pahoa Emergency Shelter Set to Close September 17 -- press release
Harry Kim
Roxcie L. Waltjen
Mayor
Director
Maurice C. Messina
Wil Okabe
Deputy Director
Managing Director
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
(808) 961-8311 Fax (808) 961-8411
Email: parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/
NEWS RELEASE
August 29, 2018
Pahoa Emergency Evacuation Shelter Closes September 17
The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announces the Pahoa Emergency
Evacuation Shelter will cease operations on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 12:00 noon.
Since May 3, 2018, the Pahoa shelter has been in operation and at one point housed over 550
evacuees who were displaced due to the 2018 Puna lava event.
“We have about 45 evacuees left in the shelter and we’re working with the American Red Cross,
Salvation Army, Hope Services, the Office of Housing and Development, the Office of Aging,
and FEMA to assist the remaining shelter residents with housing transition plans,” said Director
of Parks and Recreation Roxcie Waltjen.
“This has been the longest-running emergency shelter in the history of Hawai‘i, and we will have
been in operation for 138 days as of September 17, 2018,” Waltjen said. “I want to thank all of
the shelter workers, and the support provided from healthcare and mental health professionals
who worked behind the scenes in providing a safe, caring and healthy environment for the
evacuees.”
Waltjen extended a special Mahalo to Senator Josh Green, an emergency room physician who
provided medical services, and to Hawai‘i County Councilman Tim Richards, a veterinarian who
provided veterinary services at the onset of shelter operations. “They were instrumental in
ensuring a healthy shelter when it was at its most vulnerable state,” Waltjen said.
“The Department and our partners have been working diligently to provide services and
transition assistance to the shelter occupants. I’m hopeful that those remaining in the shelter
will take the utmost advantage of the services being offered and do their part in resolving their
housing issues,” Waltjen said.
For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at 961-8311.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.