Honolulu firefighters rescued two teenage boys who got caught in rushing waters yesterday in Wai'anae, highlighting another day of heavy rain and winds that hit parts of O'ahu and led to street closures, hazardous driving and flooded homes.

The heaviest rain on O'ahu was expected to end last night, but a flash-flood watch remained in effect until 6 a.m. today for O'ahu, Ni'ihau and Kaua'i, the National Weather Service said.

Runners in today's Honolulu Marathon can expect rain showers, but nothing as severe as what O'ahu has been experiencing.

For the three days ending at 8 a.m. yesterday, Schofield Barracks had received more than 15 inches of rain; Mililani more than 12; Wai'anae more than 9; Waimanalo more than 7.

And a new front bringing more rain should hit O'ahu by the middle of this week, the weather service said.

Yesterday's rescue in Wai'anae came as the area was being lashed by rains that made their way over from Kaua'i. Shortly before 4 p.m. when the call came in, the rains had turned Kane'aki Street into a virtual river.

Initial reports were that five people were caught in the water in the vicinity of 85-1083 Kane'aki St., said HFD spokesman Capt. Earle Kealoha. But only two needed help, Kealoha said.

One of the boys suffered a gash to his left leg and he was taken to the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Kealoha said.

The other boy had no injuries and declined further medical treatment, Kealoha said.

The National Weather Service officially listed the hospitalized boy as a weather-related injury.

"This goes to solidify what we tell people over and over again," said forecaster Robert Ballard. "During flood events, stay away from streams, stay away from creeks and don't drive into areas where water covers the road. We urge people to use some common sense."

Yet, even as Ballard was speaking, a car attempted to cross Kane'aki Street and got bogged down in the torrent. Several people in the vehicle made it out of the water safely, but the vehicle was lurching sideways in the rushing waters.

In the 12 hours ending at 8 p.m. yesterday, Wai'anae Valley had received 2.8 inches of rain. Makaha Stream had received an inch more.

In the same period, nearly 3 inches of rain fell in Poamoho, 2 inches or more in Maunawili, Waiawa and at Lyon Arboretum in Manoa and at least an inch at most other O'ahu reporting stations.

The ground is so saturated that the rain is all running off and going right into the streams, Ballard said.

There were reports of flooded homes in Makaha and Waialua and a kayak rescue off Kailua Beach Park.

Yesterday afternoon, Wai'anae Boat Harbor master William Aila said squalls with winds as fierce as 50 mph were whipping Leeward O'ahu in waves.

Makaha Valley Road and 'Upena Street in Wai'anae were closed because of flooding, and all lanes of the H-1 Freeway west-bound bypass road were flooded before the Makakilo off-ramp.

Kili Drive remained closed yesterday because of flooding.

Shelters in Wai'anae and La'ie operated by the Red Cross remained open last night.