2023 Hawaii Wildfires Situation Report #3
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Healthcare Ready's Posture
Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for this event. We are monitoring potential concerns for supply chain disruptions and impacts on healthcare services on our response page, listing resources and previous situation reports.
Highlights
Healthcare Ready has activated our EOC and Hotline for patients to call for support in navigating their personal healthcare needs. This compliments our activation of www.rxopen.org which maps the status of pharmacies, Community Health Centers, Dialysis Clinics.
Situation Overview
- As of Tuesday, August 29, there are three active fires burning on Maui:
- Lahaina fire: 90% contained.
- Kula fire: 90% contained.
- Olinda fire: 85% contained.
- As of Tuesday, August 29, the number of confirmed fatalities remains at 115 with 100% of the Lahaina area searched.
- As of Tuesday, August 29, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced that the transition from search and recovery in Lahaina has begun. The next step in the long-term recovery process will be removing hazardous materials so residents and businesses are able to return to the affected areas.
- This removal of hazardous materials will be coordinated by FEMA and the EPA with support from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
- On Monday, August 28, the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday, August 30 to Thursday, August 31.
- This means that critical fire weather conditions are forecasted across Hawaii and could exacerbate the situation in Maui.
- Affected areas could potentially be Leeward Haleakala, Maui Central Valley, and Maui Leeward West.
- There is a new online, centralized resource and information hub dedicated to the response in Maui: Maui Nui Strong. The site offers information on how organizations and individuals can donate and volunteer to the recovery of Maui.
- Maui County has launched their Maui Disaster Support Call Center which acts as a centralized assistance hub for residents of Maui. It is available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM HST daily at (808) 727–1550.
Key Updates
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program Activated (EPAP)
- The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), was activated on August 19 for the wildfires in Hawaii and is available through September 19. EPAP is a federally sponsored program made available to non-insured patients in affected ZIP codes for specific medical equipment, vaccinations, and prescriptions.
- To enroll as a patient, you can call the EPAP hotline at 1-855-793-7470. Information collected is:
- First and last name
- DOB
- SSN (not required to receive a member ID number, but they will ask for it)
- ZIP Code (must be a resident of the identified ZIP Code
s)
- To enroll as a pharmacy, pharmacies can enroll through Express Scripts. Pharmacies do not need to be in the identified ZIP codes to enroll in and accept EPAP.
- Most prescriptions are covered under EPAP, including durable medical equipment (DME), such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs. However, for these items to be covered under EPAP, they must be purchased through a retail pharmacy.
- Eligible patients are authorized to receive a 30-day supply of their prescriptions and a renewal as long as EPAP is activated. Patients need to have a new or existing prescription from a licensed physician to have their prescriptions covered by EPAP and filled by a participating pharmacy.
Impacts to Health Care and Supply Chain
Impacts to Health Care
- As of Tuesday, August 29, Kaiser Permanente is offering medical services (at no cost) to the public at two locations in West Maui:
- Napili Park (Mobile Health Vehicle)
- Provides first aid, pediatric services, and OB/GYN services.
- Hyatt Regency Lahaina (Maui Suites, Promenade Lower Level)
- Provides first aid services and wound care.
- Both locations are open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM HST. Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM HST. And closed on Sundays.
- Napili Park (Mobile Health Vehicle)
- As of Tuesday, August 29, there are 19 hotel shelters located around Maui. The following locations:
- Lahaina
- Aston at Papakea Resort
- Aston Kaʻanapali Shores
- Aston Mahana at Kaʻanapali
- Aston Maui Kaʻanapali Villas
- Honua Kai Outrigger
- Hyatt Regency Maui
- Kaʻanapali Beach Club
- Sheraton Maui Resort
- Outrigger Kaʻanapali Beach Resort
- Royal Lahaina
- The Whaler
- Westin Maui
- Wailea
- Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
- Fairmont Kea Lani
- Wailea Beach Resort Hotel
- Kihei
- Aston at the Maui Banyan
- Aston Maui Hill Resort
- Kahului
- Maui Beach Hotel
- Lahaina
- Food and supply distribution and donation sites will be held at the following locations:
- Lahaina Gateway (food and supplies distribution site)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM HST
- Mobile health vehicle on site
- Queen Ka’ahumanu Center (food, water, and paper supplies donation site)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM HST
- Feed My Sheep (mobile food distribution sites)
- 150 South Pu’unene Ave. in Kahului
- Saturdays
- 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM HST
- Living Way Church in Happy Valley
- Fridays
- 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM HST
- 150 South Pu’unene Ave. in Kahului
- Lahaina Gateway (food and supplies distribution site)
- Additionally, the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management is starting to distribute solar shower bags to water stations in areas where an unsafe water advisory is still in effect.
- Starting on Wednesday, August 30, a shower trailer with one shower stall, one washer, and one dryer will be available for public use; located at the Anytime Fitness in Makawao.
Critical Healthcare Infrastructure
- Four dialysis centers are located on Maui; 1 is closed for an extended period with no estimated timeline to resume operations.
- Kahana Dialysis, Lahaina, HI (open)
- DaVita Rainbow Wailuku Dialysis, Wailuku, HI (open)
- Fresenius Kidney Care Maui Ckd, Wailuku, HI (open)
- DaVita Rainbow Dialysis Lahaina, Lahaina, HI (closed)
- As of Tuesday, August 29, an unsafe water advisory is still in effect for the Lahaina and Upper Kula regions. For safe drinking water, residents can bring containers to the following locations:
- Lahaina
- Lahaina Gateway Center
- Honokohau Valley
- Behind Lahaina Baseyard
- Kahoma Village
- Hawaiian Homes/Lahaina Civic Center
- Upper Kula
- Crater Road
- Copp road
- Holy Ghost Church
- Rice Park
- Ching Store
- Ulupalakua Ranch Store
- Lahaina
Supply Chain and Logistics Update
- Currently, there is no option of reentry for residents to return to the affected area in Lahaina. Over the next couple weeks, plans will be developed for a safe return for residents. At this time, the affected area in Lahaina is restricted to authorized personnel only.
- The US Coast Guard is working to ensure all the appropriate safety measures are in place regarding Lahaina Harbor access. The access to vessels and property within Lahaina Harbor may be considered once the following has occurred:
- Waterside infrastructure is inspected.
- The navigational channel is free of debris.
- Channel depth is verified.
- Landside access is authorized.
- Victim recovery efforts are complete.
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About Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to ensure patient access to healthcare in times of disaster, emergency, and disease outbreaks. We leverage unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters. Learn more about Healthcare Ready
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