Posted on: Sunday, November 7, 2004

Sunshine returns to soggy UH campus

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa, still working to clean up after devastating floods, may, with luck, catch a bit of a break from the weather.

Heavy rains expected to continue through yesterday gave way to sunny skies early in the day, and according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, no soaking downpours were expected through the end of the week.

But with the ground already saturated, even shorter rains last night caused ponding on roadways and lawns on both sides of the Ko'olau, and firefighters were called to remove water from a least three houses makai of King Street, between McCully Street and Punahou Street.

Still, it is dryer than expected, said National Weather Service forecaster Tom Birchard.

"We'll see some clouds and showers in the afternoons and evenings," Birchard said yesterday. "In the late nights and mornings, the skies will be clearing. The big rain event is over, at least for the next few days."

The university will need whatever it can get from mother nature. Jim Manke, university spokesman, said electricity went out again yesterday morning in more than 35 buildings.

Power was restored to all but 20 of those buildings..

University officials will meet today to determine whether classes held in the affected buildings should be relocated. Updates will be announced through the media, and information will be released through the university's hotline at 956-0001.

BMS Catastrophe, a cleanup company that has worked natural and manmade disasters across the globe, including the Pentagon after Sept. 11, has begun moving in equipment, Manke said.

BMS is expected to begin the cleanup tomorrow.

BMS plans to hire 150 to 200 general laborers, Manke said.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.