HANALEI — Drinking water and electricity has been restored to normal for all affected residents in the Wainiha and Haena communities.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the Department of Water’s “Do not drink” advisory was lifted for Haena residents located along a portion of Kuhio Highway, between Manoa Stream and Limahuli Stream. DOW confirmed that water is safe for drinking and in compliance with safe drinking water standards for all customers with water service.
Also, final non-emergency air operations concluded Saturday, with nearly 477 people evacuated via air since Monday.
But a brown water advisory remains in effect for most of Kauai, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
“We are receiving reports of people swimming in Hanalei Bay,” said Elton Ushio, administrator for the Kauai Emergency Management Agency. “The public is advised to stay out of the water until the brown water advisory is lifted.”
The advisory is not in effect for coastal waters from Keoniloa Bay to Sheraton Beach on the South Shore.
Officials warn that swimming in the water could result in serious illness. If the water is brown, stay out.
Continue to practice good personal hygiene by washing off with soap and clean water and washing hands before handling food.
In other updates:
Animal care
The Kauai Humane Society will be offering free veterinarian services from 9 to 11 a.m. daily starting Monday at the Hanalei Colony Resort for the isolated Wainiha and Haena communities. They have also provided pet food to the distribution sites at Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort.
Assessments
Teams went door-to-door through neighborhoods in Hanalei, Wainiha and Haena Saturday to conduct damage assessments. Additional assessments in Hanalei, and to areas submitted via reports online, will be conducted today between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The county will continue to do assessments of storm-affected areas across the island. Property owners or renters that suffered damages can visit www.kauai.gov or call KEMA at 241-1800 for more information or to make a report.
