Posted at 10:55 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2002

Thundershowers expected tonight

By Mike Gordon and Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writers

Kahalu'u residents Annie Tisalona, left, and Kamaki Keanu today check out the level of Ka'alaea Stream. Overnight rains pushed up stream levels in some areas. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

A flood watch was in effect this afternoon for O'ahu and Kaua'i as a slow-moving storm continued to move across the state, according to the National Weather Service.

Occasional thundershowers were predicted for tonight with rain in the forecast until Thursday.

"Until then, the air mass over the islands will be quite unstable and moist," said Roy Matsuda, a weather service forecaster.

Heavy rain fell early this morning in the Waikane and Waiahole areas, briefly prompting the weather service to issue a flood advisory, Matsuda said.

Heavy rain this weekend stranded three hikers Saturday night in the mountains on O'ahu, but they all walked out yesterday unharmed, firefighters said.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said firefighters resumed a search yesterday morning for a Honolulu couple last seen stranded below Ka'au Crater on Wai'oma'o Trail in Palolo.

From Air One, the HFD helicopter, firefighters spotted the couple walking out on their own at about 6:30 a.m., he said.

The couple said that once they realized they were trapped, they found a high spot to spend the night. They said they were not hurt and declined medical treatment.

"They were a little cold and a little embarrassed," Tejada said.

He said firefighters also searched near Manoa Falls shortly before midnight Saturday after a woman reported her husband missing. The couple called firefighters at daylight yesterday to tell them the man was fine, Tejada said.

Meanwhile, Honolulu-bound traffic on the Likelike Highway was diverted onto H-3 for several hours early yesterday while crews worked to clear debris after the rains caused several small mudslides.