Heavy rain, wind whip through Maui, O'ahu

By James Gonser, Eloise Aguiar and Christie Wilson
Advertiser Staff Writers

Lee Selini uses a pick to help dig a trench to redirect water around his auntie's house in Palolo Valley. The National Weather Service extended a flash flood watch through 4 a.m. today. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The National Weather Service extended a flash-flood watch through 4 a.m. today, which could last through this afternoon as further heavy showers and thunderstorms were developing south of the Islands and moving north.

Tim Craig, lead forecaster with the weather service, said the rain could let up a bit late tomorrow but may continue through Monday.

Several roads remained closed late last night, including Kalaniana'ole Highway between Sandy Beach and Sea Life Park, Diamond Head Road and the 2500 block of Round Top Drive, police said.

Heavy fog and rain forced state Department of Transportation officials to close Lana'i Airport yesterday afternoon. The airport averages about 18 commercial flights a day.

Flooding at the airfield short-circuited runway lights, the DOT said. An electrician was expected to be dispatched to make repairs this morning and officials said they hope to reopen the facility then.

The rains continued a wet winter for the Islands that began Thanksgiving week and peaked Dec. 7, when fierce downpours dumped as much as 11 inches of rain. Yesterday's showers were less intense but soaked all parts of O'ahu.

Hawaiian Electric Co. crews were working to reopen Maunawili Road by midnight. It was closed about 3 p.m. yesterday when a tree fell and pulled down on a power line blocking the road, the Fire Department said.

Kapa'a Quarry Road in Kailua and Fort Weaver Road in 'Ewa were closed for several hours because of deep water while Diamond Head Road near the lookout was closed indefinitely as a boulder hung precariously on the hillside above.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources planned to send a crew today to remove the 4-by-2-by-1-foot boulder, DLNR deputy director Dan Davidson said.

In Palolo Valley, firefighters responded to a rockslide next to a house above the Pacific Islanders United Methodist Church on Palolo Avenue about 3:15 p.m., said Capt. Alan Chong of the Palolo fire station.

"If there's more heavy rain, I guess we'll have to move just to be cautious," said Taufetee, 65, drenched in his T-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes.

Mini-waterfalls cascaded down driveways and between homes at dozens of locations as rain flowed down the mountainside. Landslides were also reported in Kalihi Valley, Kunia and Windward O'ahu.

Firefighters responded to more than a dozen calls to pump water out of flooded homes across O'ahu.

In Windward O'ahu, firefighters spent several hours searching for four hikers who called for help when they were trapped by a rising Maunawili Stream. The hikers were able to get out on their own, but didn't report that they were safe, leaving fire crews looking for them.

In Wahiawa, state officials were monitoring rising water levels in Lake Wilson. State Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman Deborah Ward said the water level was at 80.9 feet as of yesterday afternoon. If it reaches 82 feet O'ahu Civil Defense and police will be notified about possible flooding, she said.

"When it reaches 84 feet, the decision to evacuate any low-lying areas downstream is made by state Civil Defense," Ward said.

The heavy rains disrupted O'ahu's wastewater system causing treated and raw sewage to overflow at the Waimanalo Wastewater Treatment Plant and untreated sewage to back up from manhole covers in various parts of the island.

A 3,600-gallon sewage spill was reported in Nu'uanu from a manhole at Waolani Stream, which feeds into Nu'uanu Stream, the city said. In Kalihi, sewage was overflowing from manholes on the 1700 block of Lehua Street and Palanene Place and entering Kalihi Stream, the city said.

Meanwhile, manhole covers were lifted by the heavy runoff in storm drains in downtown Honolulu.

Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Jose Dizon said an estimated 5,000 customers lost power at various times yesterday because of the rain. A downed utility pole at Ke'eaumoku and King streets last night cut power to about 1,200 customers.

Heavy rains caused ponding on Kalakaua Avenue near Kapi'olani Park yesterday. Despite two major storms that have hit the Islands in the past month, forecasters say it is nowhere near a record rainfall yet. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

City officials rescheduled both of this weekend's "Sunset on the Beach" festivities on Waikiki Beach to next weekend, while the Kokua Festival, featuring singer Jack Johnson, was moved from Kualoa Ranch to the Blaisdell Center Arena.

Maui County got a heavy soaking Thursday and yesterday that appeared likely to continue into today. During the 24-hour period ending at 2 p.m. yesterday, almost 5 inches of rain were dumped on Mahinahina in West Maui, while parts of Moloka'i and Lana'i got 6 inches or more, according to the National Weather Service.

During that same 24-hour period, most areas of the Big Island recorded less than an inch of rain, and on Kaua'i the highest rainfall total was only a third of an inch.

Craig said even though two major storms have hit in the past month, it is nowhere near a record rainfall for the island.

"The last several winters have been dry for the most part and we have been in a drought in a number of places," Craig said. "From that perspective, this certainly seems to be a wet winter. This winter will probably end up normal or a bit above normal."

A flood watch means that heavy rain and flooding will continue. Flash flooding is not imminent, but people in low-lying areas should take precautions and be ready to evacuate if a warning is issued.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.