Closed Saturday, September 26 for Hurricane Nolo

Miranda Country Store will be closed Saturday, September 26 as Hurricane Nolo passes south of Hawaiʻi Island. A Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Hawaiʻi County. We want our team and our customers home and safe before conditions turn.

When will the store be closed?

The store will be closed all day Saturday, September 26. We plan to reopen Monday, September 28 at 8:00 AM if conditions allow. If the storm delays that, we will post an update here and on Facebook. You can also call (808) 935-4457 for current status before you drive out.

What is the forecast for Hawaiʻi Island?

As of the 5:00 PM advisory on Friday, September 25, Hurricane Nolo was a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 105 mph, about 145 miles south of South Point and moving north at 3 mph. Forecasters expect it to turn west and speed up over the weekend while it strengthens into a major hurricane, with the center staying south of the island. Tropical storm conditions are expected on the Big Island tonight, and hurricane conditions are possible Saturday, especially in areas of steep terrain.

The east and south sides of the island, including Puna, could see 8 to 12 inches of rain with isolated totals near 16 inches. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides are possible, along with large, damaging surf on east and south facing shores. Conditions change quickly, so check the current advisories linked below.

Where are the emergency shelters near Keaʻau?

Hawaiʻi County has opened shelters across the island. The closest to us is the Keaʻau Armory at 16-512 Volcano Road. In Hilo, the Puʻueo Community Center at 145 Wainaku Street is open. Shelters are pet friendly. Bring your own food, water, medication and a carrier for your animals.

• Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau
• Puʻueo Community Center, 145 Wainaku Street, Hilo
• Pāpaʻaloa Park Annex, 35-1994 Government Main Road, Pāpaʻaloa
• Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua Street, Honokaʻa
• Kahilu Town Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Road, Waimea
• Ikuo Hisaoka Gym, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau
• Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani Street, Pāhala
• Nāʻālehu Elementary School Gym, 95-5545 Māmalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu
• Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View
• Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook

How should ranchers and homesteaders ride this out?

Secure loose panels, gates, feed sacks and anything the wind can lift. Move animals to high ground away from gulches and drainages that flood fast. Top off water troughs and fuel your generators now, because power outages are likely. Keep several days of feed on hand in case roads close. Never drive or walk through moving water. Check on your neighbors, especially kūpuna.

County offices, Hele-On buses, transfer stations and all state parks and forest reserves are closed Saturday.

Where do I get official updates?

• Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense: (808) 935-0031. Sign up for emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.
• Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Nolo updates
• National Weather Service Honolulu watches and warnings
• Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast for Nolo
• State highway closures
• Hawaiian Electric outage map
• In an emergency, call 911.

Take care of your ʻohana and your animals. We will see you Monday, weather permitting. Mahalo for your understanding.