A tree fell on to Pali Highway about 6:20 a.m., damaging five cars. Richard Ambo | The Honolulu Advertiser   The highway was shut down for about four hours after the 30-foot tree fell. Richard Ambo | The Honolulu Advertiser   Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said. Richard Ambo | The Honolulu Advertiser

For a while, police were diverting town-bound drivers onto upper Nu'uanu Pali Drive and allowing them back on the Pali Highway where it connects with lower Nu'uanu Pali Drive.

But the backup developed so quickly and was so extensive, police eventually closed off all town-bound lanes at Castle Junction.

Five cars were damaged when the tree fell. Two of them were clipped by branches of the falling tree and one was crushed when the bulk of the tree fell on it. Two other drivers drove into the fallen tree.

One of those drivers said it was raining so hard at the time, he couldn't see the fallen tree. He said he braked when saw the brake lights on other cars light up, but by that time he could not avoid the tree.

Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.