Waikōloa village works to find ways to safely and effectively evacuate

Waikōloa Village faces extreme wildfire risk, higher than Lahaina and higher than any other place in the U.S., according to the state’s post-Lahaina fire analysis. The community has only one full-time road in and out, raising serious concerns about whether residents could evacuate quickly during a fast-moving fire.

[...]

After the devastating Lahaina Wildfire that claimed the lives of 102 people in August 2023, residents of communities like Waikōloa Village better understand that their geography and infrastructure meant that they might face evacuation challenges similar to what happened on Maui: A place without enough time or safe routes to efficiently and effectively evacuate in the event of a wildfire.

[...]

The village is a giant cul-de-sac, with many residents unaware of this risk when buying homes, as Hawaiʻi requires lava zone disclosures but not wildfire risk disclosures. After Lahaina, residents are demanding tangible action, including a second road. The community meeting was packed with residents highly concerned and emotional about living with wildfire threats. A speaker from the audience at the community meeting said that the situation was irresponsible and nearly malfeasance on the part of the elected officials. Many attendees wanted something tangible.

[...]

State and county agencies are advancing a near-term solution, building an additional emergency evacuation road that could be ready within months. By the end of the summer there should be three ways out of Waikōloa Village in case of a wildfire. Rob Lee expects that after the DOT finishes the road, it will be turned over to the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense. For Lee, the second emergency road he is working on should also alleviate a bit more anxiety when itʻs completed.