MEDIA RELEASE

From Kailua Village Business Improvement District:

First and foremost, we are pleased to report that residents, employees and visitors in Historic Kailua Village and surrounding areas are safe.

Hawaii County Police proactively sealed off Alii Drive and apart from obvious safety concerns, this was necessary to protect private property. Alii Drive reopened about 4 p.m. Friday.

We have reports that some stores lost their plate glass windows and doors, the Kailua seawall and walkway are heavily damaged, and the restaurant, lobby and pool area at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel were flooded.

As the day and evening continues, more reports of damages will arrive. We know there are businesses with little or no damages. There is sand throughout the Village and it probably entered many ground floor businesses. We also know there are businesses with much more serious damage.

Mahalo to everyone for your outpouring of voluntary assistance. We sincerely appreciate it, but the immediate priority was to allow time and space for heavy equipment on Alii Drive to begin the clean up job. The County of Hawaii has already done a wonderful job in responding.

The County Department of Research and Development and Council member Angel Pilago called early today to offer help for those property owners and businesses in need.

The first step will be to inventory damages. We are sure you have already started, so please carefully document your losses. More information on a process to collect this information and other next steps will be forthcoming.

Finally, we know that we enjoy a deep sense of community and a resilience of which we can be proud. As our businesses begin to re-open in Historic Kailua Village (and many already have), the best way to support our community is to remember to buy locally.

— Find out more:
www.kvbid.org