O'ahu water use increases
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hot weather has prompted an increase in water use on O'ahu for the week ending Wednesday compared with the previous week, but officials hope that yesterday's downpour will keep water users in check and make mandatory conservation unnecessary.
The weekly drought status report from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply shows the island's average daily use at 169.02 million gallons for the week, which was about 2.5 million gallons a day more than the prior week, said Donna Kiyosaki, the water board's deputy manager.
"It was a dry, hot week until Wednesday — and then we all know what happened," she said, referring to the rain.
The increases were most noticeable in the drier districts: Water use was up 2.24 million gallons a day in Pearl Harbor and 0.82 million gallons a day in the 'Ewa-Wai'anae area.
But residents generally give their lawn sprinklers a rest and let the car-washing lapse for a bit after a heavy rain, Kiyosaki said, so officials hope water use will resume its downward track over the next week.
"Also, (the rain) will replace some surface-water ag systems," she added. "It should help some of the farmers who, I know, have had challenges."
Also yesterday, the state announced it is closing all forest reserves, as well as public hunting and game management areas in O'ahu's Wai'anae mountain range because of the threat of brushfires posed by continuing dry conditions.
The closure will go into effect Monday, with public activities suspended until further notice, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said.
Several recent brush fires in the range have scorched 3,200 acres, DLNR chairman Peter Young said.
On Aug. 2, the Board of Water Supply began calling for voluntary conservation efforts after water use topped 180 million gallons a day in early June. Among the restrictions: Lawns should be watered only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Officials have said the restrictions could become mandatory if consumption climbs back up to those record levels.
But so far, residents have shown a willingness to cut back on their own, Kiyosaki said. Water board patrols have begun touring different areas and issuing courtesy reminders of irrigation restrictions, she said, and two new television spots promoting voluntary conservation are premiering this week.
What might help is that more rain is on the horizon, said Hans Rosendal, National Weather Service forecaster.
Rain gauges measured the downpour over a 24-hour period. As of 8:45 last night, the most precipitation was recorded in Windward O'ahu and elsewhere along the Ko'olau range. The highest measurement was 13.2 inches near the Wilson Tunnel; Waihe'e received just over 8 inches.
A Honolulu police officer also reported a funnel cloud over Wahiawa at 12:10 p.m. yesterday. Police and fire officials had no reports of damage.
A low-pressure "trough" in the upper atmosphere to the west of the Islands is helping to draw wet weather to Hawai'i, Rosendal said. Afternoon showers are expected to continue today and at intervals into the weekend, he said.
Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s, but evening temperatures may start dipping to the lower 70s or high 60s, he said. Winds are expected to remain light and variable.
"It'll feel a little more humid and sultry when there's no wind," Rosendal said.
Advertiser staff writer Dan Nakaso contributed to this report.
Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
Correction: The Board of Water Supply is asking O'ahu residents to only water lawns and gardens before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Information in a previous version of this story was incorrect.
