O'ahu looks sun-kissed again
| • | Rain restores lush scenery |
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
The rain that has drenched O'ahu was vanquished yesterday, giving way to sun-kissed beaches and packs of roving pedestrians.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Farrell said yesterday's clear, sunny skies should carry through much of the week, although "it may not be quite this good," Farrell said.
Umbrellas came out once again yesterday in Waikiki. But this time they were used to shield beachgoers from sun, not rain. The sunshine may continue for several days.
He cautioned that the pristine weather could fade toward the end of the week, when he expects a small storm front to brush up against the Islands. He said that by Thursday, O'ahu could see cloud cover, some showers and slight winds, but nothing like last week's rains that flooded homes, triggered mudslides and knocked out power.
Friday's heavy rains also prompted state and city officials to to issue a warning about beaches, streams and other waterways being polluted by sewage spills caused when the runoff from the storms overwhelmed Oahu's wastewater system.
State Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said the state is monitoring the water content and has taken test samples. She said warning signs would remain in place at select beaches until the results are returned today or tomorrow.
Results from water tests should be available today. Call the Clean Water Branch of the state Health Department at 586-4309 for information.
Warnings were in effect for Honolulu Harbor, the Ala Wai Canal, Kailua, Wailupe, Waimalu, Salt Lake, Palolo, Manoa, Nu'uanu, Kalihi, Enchanted Lake, Bellows and Waimanalo.
Check water status today
Despite the murky water, yesterday's warm weather drew hundreds of beachgoers to Waikiki and Ala Moana.
"We're on vacation, and it was raining for a couple of days," said Jenny Hishikawa, a former Hawai'i resident who lives in New Jersey.
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| Pools of rainwater on the grass at Kapi'olani Park yesterday offered a lingering reminder of the heavy rains Friday that drenched O'ahu.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Hishikawa, flanked by her sister and mother-in-law, played with her young son, Alexander, at Ala Moana Beach Park yesterday. In town for her brother's wedding, Hishikawa's family said the rain dampened Friday's festivities, forcing the wedding indoors at the University of Hawai'i's Jefferson Hall.
Les Nuuhiwa, a Waimalu resident and classic car collector, was out cruising with other aficionados yesterday in the Magic Island parking lot.
Nuuhiwa and a group of about eight drivers all had their old-school rides shining yesterday, as the weather permitted them to drive around the island, a monthly occurrence Nuuhiwa said.
"Today was a nice day, so we went," Nuuhiwa said, standing next to his green-with-mint-trim '55 Chevrolet Bel-Air.
In Chinatown, people breezed through the O'ahu Market and the Kekaulike Mall, browsing the outdoor stalls for fresh produce, or simply enjoying a walk.
Veto Baker, a landscaper, walked around yesterday while his wife shopped. He said rain or shine was all the same to him.
"It doesn't matter whether it rains or not, compared to the Mainland, we got lucky," Baker said.
Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
