Hawaii County convoys moved truckloads of ice, water and other essentials into the Kaʻu District on Tuesday to support residents recovering from Hurricane Lala.
County officials said the supplies were donated by community members and local businesses, then transported by volunteers working with the County of Hawaiʻi and nonprofit partners.
“We recognize the need around the island, and the County of Hawaiʻi is leading a coordinated effort to meet those needs with tremendous support from our community organizations and volunteers,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said. He noted the initial focus has been on communities with the most difficult access, and that assessments are ongoing to direct resources where they are needed most.
Escorted by the Hawaiʻi Police Department, the Hawaii County convoys are part of broader relief operations that have included Hawaiʻi Fire Department airlifts of supplies into Wood Valley and the setup of Points of Distribution, or PODS, in partnership with nonprofits.
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense’s human services branch is coordinating with Vibrant Hawaiʻi and other community groups to staff and supply PODS across the island. For background on storm impacts in the district, see Hurricane Lala batters Kaʻu, isolates Nāʻālehu and Pāhala.
For current PODS locations and hours, visit Vibrant Hawaiʻi at www.vibranthawaii.org/lala.
How to help and Hawaii County convoys updates
To donate supplies for Big Island relief, call the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Coordination Line at 802-365-1808. Monetary donations can be made to the Hawaiʻi Island Strong Fund through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation at www.hawaiiislandstrong.org.
County operations resume
Hawaiʻi County non-emergency operations will resume and offices will be open on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
- Parks: County parks sustained significant impacts from Hurricane Lala. Staff have been repairing facilities and clearing fallen trees to restore safe access. Some parks and facilities will remain closed Wednesday, Aug. 19, and possibly longer, due to power outages and storm damage. The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and the Hilo Municipal Golf Course will be open. For closure updates, visit www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/parks-and-facilities-closures.
- Solid Waste Facilities: The Pāhala transfer station will reopen Wednesday. The Waiʻōhinu transfer station will reopen after cleanup is complete.
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