- Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens park in Wailuku was closed on 8/15 due to rising levels in the Wailuku River and high winds. The Department of Public Works (DPW) reconstruction project on Makawao Avenue cancelled work on Saturday and Sunday due to weather.
- Maui County gave an update Saturday at 1:15 p.m. as it braces for possible impacts from Hurricane Lala.
- There are currently 33 individuals at temporary evacuation points (TEPs). Ka Hale A Ke Ola has 10 beds available and is prepared to increase capacity if additional sheltering needs arise.
- The county’s Department of Transportation plans to resume Maui Bus Fixed-Route and ADA Paratransit Services on Sunday at 10 a.m., as road and safety conditions allow, after suspending or ending early certain routes Saturday. The Kahului Transit Center will reopen at 10 a.m. Sunday upon service resumption. Maui Bus commuter services to West and South Maui will remain suspended on Sunday.
- Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has been coordinating with other County of Maui departments, as well as state and nongovernment partners, to prepare for potential storm impacts. Maui Police Department is increasing staffing for all districts and all stations tested generators to ensure they are operable. Maui Fire Department stood up an Incident Management Team and increased firefighters on duty at stations across Maui County.
- DPW crews have been preparing for the potential upcoming weather by ensuring all storm-response equipment are fueled and ready, inspecting and cleaning drainage and flood control infrastructure, and prepositioned traffic control devices and equipment for deployment if needed throughout Maui County, including in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hāna, as well as on Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i.
- Material is being removed from the Wailuku River Debris Basin as a safety precaution. All material remains intact and is being safely stored at a County facility in Waikapū. It can be returned to the watershed once the storm has passed.
- Department of Water Supply (DWS) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are prepping all system infrastructure sites that could potentially be affected by the approaching storm. They are checking and topping off fuel in all permanent and portable generators, refueling all vehicles daily, and standby crews have been set up for response.
Hurricane Lala is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Hawaii, with Maui County actively preparing for its impacts. As of Saturday, 33 individuals are sheltered at temporary evacuation points (TEPs), with Ka Hale A Ke Ola ready to increase capacity if needed.56
The county's Department of Transportation announced that Maui Bus Fixed-Route and ADA Paratransit Services will resume on Sunday at 10 a.m., depending on road safety conditions. However, services to West and South Maui will remain suspended.789
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is coordinating with various departments and partners to ensure readiness. The Maui Police Department is increasing staffing across all districts, while the Maui Fire Department has established an Incident Management Team for storm response.101112
In preparation, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has fueled storm-response equipment and inspected drainage systems. They are also removing material from the Wailuku River Debris Basin as a precaution, ensuring it is safely stored for return post-storm. The Department of Water Supply (DWS) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are also checking infrastructure and fueling generators in anticipation of the storm's effects.1214151617181920
As Maui County braces for Hurricane Lala, officials emphasize the importance of safety and preparedness for residents and visitors alike.
“Maui County has closed Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens due to rising Wailuku River levels and high winds, while DPW crews preposition equipment across the island. The county plans to resume Maui Bus Fixed-Route and ADA Paratransit Services Sunday at 10 a.m., though commuter routes to West and South Maui remain suspended.”
Hawaii News Now
