LIHU‘E — The Kekaha Landfill is closed until further notice, states a Monday release from the County of Kaua‘i.
The closure is due to the high winds and rain that resulted from the passage of a low pressure system to the north of the Hawaiian Islands bringing cold, wet, and unsettled weather conditions, including high winds that generated wind advisories from the National Weather Service.
Additionally, wet and muddy conditions closed green waste and scrap metal services at the Kapa‘a refuse transfer station.
“Over the weekend, the Department of Public Works responded to downed trees on Kaehulua Road in Kapa‘a, and Lauoho Road in Kalaheo,” said Lyle Tabata, the county’s Deputy County Engineer. “The department also responded to fallen branches on the south-bound lane of Maluhia Road as you enter the road from Kaumuali‘i Highway.”
According to a spokesperson from the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, the weather also created “localized power outages” in various communities island wide.
“A utility pole had to be replaced in Anahola after it toppled over the weekend,” said Shelley Paik, the KIUC spokesperson. “KIUC crews were joined by crews from Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum because they share lines on the pole that went down.”
The Department of Water issued an immediate water conservation request for customers in Kilauea because an electrical power outage affects the Kilauea water pump station and well site.
The water conservation notice remains in effect until further notice despite power being restored to the Kilauea deep well pump stations.
Customers in Kilauea as being asked to minimize water use to essential needs only, including drinking, cooking, and sanitation purposes to allow the system’s water tank levels to stabilize and avoid a water service outage.
The conservation request includes refraining from car washing, and turning off plumbing fixtures that automatically draw water such as irrigation systems and ice machines.
Updates and monitoring of the situation can be done via www.facebook.com/KauaiDOW.
The weather service is forecasting a gradual trend toward lighter winds as the low pressure system moves west of the islands Wednesday, and dissipating on Thursday bringing a breezy trade wind weather pattern.
