Update: American Red Cross shelters closed following containment of West Kaua‘i brush fire
10:14 a.m. update Tuesday: The shelters at Waimea High School and Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center were closed as of 5 a.m. today.
Original post: Approximately 150 Kaumakani fire evacuees are spending the night across two American Red Cross shelters.
The Kaumakani and Hanapēpē fire is 100% contained as of 11:55 p.m. on Monday, and the evacuation notice for Kaumakani residents has been lifted. The blaze scorched approximately 1,000 acres.
The shelters are located at Waimea High School, where there are about 120 people, and one at Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center where about 30 people have taken shelter.
The Red Cross advises those needing shelter west of the Makaweli Post Office road closure to head to the Waimea High School cafeteria. Those east of the Hanapēpē road closure should go to the Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center.
Red Cross caseworkers will work with those affected to provide immediate assistance. Those coming to the shelter are advised to bring essentials such as medicine, important documentation and personal protective equipment like masks and sanitizer.
The Red Cross encourages all families to make a disaster plan to include an evacuation plan with two different routes of escape, a communications plan to help families reconnect after disaster and a disaster supplies kit readily available to aid in a quick evacuation.
Information on developing a family plan is available to the public at redcross.org/hawaii, or a brochure can be requested by calling 734-2101.