Waikōloa, Hawai’i – Waikōloa Village residents will have the opportunity to practice their community’s emergency evacuation route this Saturday, February 15th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The annual Waikōloa Hulu Street Evacuation Drill, also known as “Hulu Holoholo,” allows residents to familiarize themselves with the route used in the event of an emergency, such as a wildfire or other disaster.
The drill will simulate driving the evacuation route from Hulu Street to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. Upon exiting Hulu Street, motorists will be directed to turn north (right) onto Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. Those needing to travel south will be guided to utilize the Puako area to safely reverse direction.
“We welcome residents to come and familiarize themselves with the evacuation route so that they know where to go before a disaster strikes,” stated Mayor Kimo Alameda. “The route is a critical lifeline for the community and can be easily driven by any passenger vehicle.”
The Hulu Holoholo drill was initiated in 2022 as a direct response to the Mana Road wildfire of the previous year, which necessitated the evacuation of Waikōloa Village. The event is a collaborative effort, organized by the County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense, in conjunction with the Police Department, the Waikōloa Community Emergency Response Team, and the Waikōloa Village Association Firewise Committee.
Residents who wish to learn more about the evacuation route can view a video demonstration at https://tinyurl.com/huluholoholo.
This exercise is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and preparedness of the Waikōloa Village community.