Multiple fires continue to burn on Big Island coastline

Multiple brushfires are continuing to burn along the South Kohala coastline.

The Akoni Pule Highway brushfire is roughly 60 percent contained and remains a threat to structures in the southern portion of Kohala Ranch between Kamakani Loop and the highway, according to Hawai‘i County.

Access is available to the northern portion of Kohala Ranch, above Kamakani Loop, via Kohala Mountain Road.

Akoni Pule Highway remains closed between the 6- and 17-mile markers.

Multiple fires in the Mauna Kea Beach area continue to threaten structures, with one support structure having sustained significant damages.

Guests at the Mauna Kea Resort continue to shelter in place. Access to the resort area is closed until further notice.

Emergency medical personnel are on the scene to monitor the situation and provide medical services, if needed.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway is closed between the 69-mile marker and the Kawaihae Road Junction.

A flare-up near Spencer’s Beach Park has also been reported, according to the county. Campers in the area were evacuated as a precaution prior to any threats in the immediate area.

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea has been contained.

Hawaii Fire Department crews are on the scene at all incidents and working to contain the fires.

Further evacuations may be necessary. Individuals in and around the area should remain on high alert.

Shelters remain open at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Waimea. Additional shelters may be opened based on need.

Breezy, dry conditions are causing a continuance in the red flag warning for the county. A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.

The public is also encouraged to visit the official county hazard map at https://tinyurl.com/3edh6xfn.

Acting Gov.Sylvia Luke issued an emergency proclamation today to extend the state of emergency to all counties, discourage nonessential air travel to Maui, and order all affected state agencies to assist with the evacuation, the governor’s office said today.

A massive wind-swept wildfire swept through Lahaina town Tuesday, forcing large-scale evacuations, burning homes and businesses, and leading to the rescue of a dozen people who fled into the ocean to escape the flames and heavy smoke that has destroyed much of historic Front Street.

In addition to Lahaina, major fires in Kula and Kihei, led to evacuations in those Maui communities. Roads and schools were closed today as firefighters and other first responders struggle to keep up with the unprecedented disaster.

“This is an unprecedented disaster as an indirect result of Hurricane Dora passing just south of our islands,” Luke, who is acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is traveling, said in a statement. “It is truly devastating and my heart goes out to the residents of Maui and all those impacted.”

In a separate news release, the governor’s office said Green will be returning today from his travels to deal with the emergency. He said, “Heroic efforts by first responders have prevented many casualties from occurring, but some loss of life is expected.”

As the wildfires continue, visitors with current and planned lodging at West Maui hotels may not have accommodations, state officials said.

“This proclamation is to discourage travel to the affected areas so we can prioritize our scarce resources for Maui residents who desperately need assistance,” Luke said.

The proclamation encourages visitors in West Maui to depart the island as soon as safe and practicable.

Green said, “The wind-fueled fires have devastated many of our communities and people will be looking to our office for leadership while we address the ongoing emergency and do what we can as a state to rebuild lives,” Green said in the statement.

“We have suffered a terrible disaster in the form of a wildfire that has spread widely as a result of hurricane-force winds in the region and underlying drought conditions. Maui and the Big Island both experienced significant fires. Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced,” he said.

He said he has named Adjutant General Ken Hara as the state incident commander, and the Hawai‘i National Guard has mobilized and is being supported by FEMA.

“The White House has been incredibly supportive and we expect to submit a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration in the next 36 to 48 hours, once we know how vast the damage is,” Green said. “Our state appreciates the incredible outpouring of concern and prayers from the mainland. We won’t forget the aloha you have already begun to share with us.”

Green had been scheduled to return to Hawai‘i from personal travel Aug. 15, but will be back in the state tonight to address the crisis, his office said.

Four shelters were open on the Valley Island including Maui High School, the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Maui Preparatory Academy, and War Memorial Gym. The quick-moving brushfires forced two other shelters to relocate. The Lahaina Civic Center shelter was moved Tuesday night to Maui Prep in Napili-Honokowai “to place evacuees away from impacted Lahaina town,” the Maui Fire Department said, and residents at the Kihei Community Center evacuation site were relocated to Maui High “as a precautionary measure.”

Alan Dickar said he’s not sure what remains of his Vintage European Posters gallery, which was a fixture on Front Street in Lahaina for 23 years. Before evacuating with three friends and two cats, Dickar recorded video of flames engulfing the main strip of shops and restaurants frequented by tourists.

“Every significant thing I owned burned down today,” he said. “I’ll be OK. I got out safely.”

Dickar, who assumed the three homes he owns burned down, said it will take a heroic effort to rebuild what has burned in Lahaina, which is home to about 13,000 people.

“Everyone who comes to Maui, the one place that everybody goes is Front Street,” he said. “The central two blocks is the economic heart of this island, and I don’t know what’s left.”

The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing to the south of the island chain at a safe distance of 500 miles, was partly to blame for gusts above 60 mph that knocked out power as night fell, rattled homes and grounded firefighting helicopters. Dangerous fire conditions created by strong winds and low humidity were expected to last through this afternoon, the weather service said.