(BIVN) – Hawai‘i Governor David Ige signed an emergency proclamation today, declaring counties of Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalawao, Kaua‘i and the City and County of Honolulu disaster areas for the purpose of implementing emergency management functions. The proclamation also authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated for the speedy and efficient relief of damages, losses, and suffering resulting from Hurricane Lane.

“This emergency proclamation allows us to line up services and necessary resources prior to the event so that we can keep our communities safe and running as efficiently as possible,” said Gov. Ige. “Hurricane Lane is not a well-behaved hurricane. I’ve not seen such dramatic changes in the forecast track as I’ve seen with this storm. I urge our residents and visitors to take this threat seriously and prepare for a significant impact.”

Gov. Ige granted administrative leave for non-essential state employees in Hawai‘i and Maui counties, as the state prepares for severe weather conditions resulting from Hurricane Lane. State offices on Hawai‘i Island and Maui will be closed from Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 through Friday, Aug. 24, 2018.

All public schools and Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) offices on Hawai‘i Island and in Maui County will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 22, until further notice. Also effective Wednesday, all after-school activities and programs including interscholastic athletic events and After-School Plus (A+) Programs are canceled statewide for the remainder of the week. HIDOE says this will allow partner emergency agencies and organizations to stage evacuation shelters at designated schools. All school-related interisland travel this week is canceled as well.

“We appreciate the support and guidance from our emergency management partners as we work together to ensure the safety of our students, staff and school communities,” said Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami. “As with any emergency-type situation, we are striving to balance the need for safety with our overall commitment to provide students and families with every sense of normalcy.”

Kamehameha Schools will close campuses, preschools and offices on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Molokaʻi on Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Lane.

The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port set port condition YANKEE for the Big Island ports (Hilo and Kawaihae) in advance of Hurricane Lane. At Port Heavy Weather Condition YANKEE, the WARNING condition consists of winds above 39 mph expected within 24 hours. “All pleasure craft shall seek sheltered waters,” the USCG said. “The Captain of the Port is directing action by the maritime and port community. All ocean-going vessels and barges 200 gross tons and above, without an approved application to remain in port, shall make preparations to depart port before the setting of port condition ZULU.”

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says all county beach parks, from South Point north to Kohala, will be closed until further notice. All pavilion and camping permits for these parks have been cancelled.

South Point Road from the Kamaoa Road junction to South Point is closed to all through traffic; the road is open to local residents only.

All University of Hawaii campuses and non-essential university operations on Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai will be closed starting tomorrow morning until further notice.

The National Park Service says Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Parks will be closed Wednesday and Thursday

The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and its divisions are closing various properties in advance of Hurricane Lane. The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources on Oahu, set for Friday, August 24th, has been postponed.

Division of State Parks

• Beginning Wednesday night camping and lodging in state parks across the state (except Kaua‘i) will be cancelled.
• Park closures statewide go into effect Thursday morning (except for Kaua‘i).
• Nuuanu Pali State Wayside Park will be closed today beginning at 3 p.m. until further notice to allow removal of previous landslide debris.
• Closures for Kaua’i will be announced depending on storm track. Ha‘ena State Park and Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park remain closed due to flooding in April.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)

• All Hawai‘i island and Maui Nui DOFAW lands, including forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Na Ala Hele trails closing at noon on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.
• Closures may be implemented on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i pending further information on storm track.
• Closure notices have been posted on the Nā Ala Hele website for the Muliwai and ‘Āinapō trails on Hawai‘i island. Permits have been cancelled and refunded. Permittees have been notified of closure. All current campers should be out before the storm & have been instructed to contact DLNR.

Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR)

• No plans to close State small boat harbors and ramps but boaters are advised to secure their crafts.

Engineering Division

• 25 leeward and windward O‘ahu streams under DLNR jurisdiction were inspected today by the land maintenance crew.

Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL)

• There is the likelihood of dangerous storm surges and erosion along east, south and west facing shores.
• People should avoid shorelines, beaches and tide pools during the storm.

Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE)

• All resource conservation officers are on notice to report for duty.
• If necessary, DOCARE will stand-up a DLNR Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Honolulu to coordinate departmental response to any emergencies and recovery.

In a media release, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Our primary concern is public health and safety. While we realize closures and cancellations may be an inconvenience this is a powerful storm that could have dramatic and damaging impacts across the state. We want to be prepared to safeguard people’s safety using state resources as well as to protect those resources as much as possible in advance of Hurricane Lane.”

We will update this list when more closures are announced.