O'ahu residents will awaken this morning to fairly steady rain that may be locally heavy at times, the National Weather Service predicted last night.

By tomorrow, normal trade wind weather should prevail, said Norman Hui, National Weather Service forecaster.

Meanwhile, the entire state remains under a flash-flood watch through late tonight. A flash-flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

Kaua'i was the first island in the chain to feel the effects of what Hui called the "first big rain event" of the winter, and a light rain fell for most of the day there yesterday. However, there were no reports of flooding or road closures.

The constant rain on Kaua'i caused ponding and run-off on roadways, and police were urging motorists to drive cautiously. In some places on Kaua'i, more than 2 inches of rain was recorded and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources suspended camping permits for Napali, Koke'e and Polihale state parks.

"The rain might be heavy at times," Hui said last night. "It looks like it will happen. It's slowly moving toward O'ahu at this time."

Hui said forecasters didn't expect rain from the storm system to make it as far as Maui and the Big Island, though some light rain was reported over East Maui last night.

The Windward side of O'ahu received its first blush of the rain last night, with more than an inch recorded in a 12-hour period in Kane'ohe.

Rain was believed to be a contributing factor when several large boulders, including one the size of a minivan, rumbled down into Waimea Valley early yesterday morning, closing the park ahead of this weekend's Makahiki Celebrations.

Across the state, precautions were taken. DLNR officials closed two Maui parks in anticipation of possible rain-related rockslides. State officials closed 'Iao Valley State Park today and tomorrow and canceled all permits for Polipoli Springs State Park. Makena State Park remained open, but pending concerns for public safety, it could be closed, the DLNR said.

State Civil Defense officials put an immediate response team and preliminary damage assessment team on standby "in the event we have to activate them," spokesman Ray Lovell said.

"It's mostly putting all the ducks in a row in case we have to respond," Lovell said, "making sure all the vehicles are gassed and we have all the supplies we need."

A flood advisory was issued for Kaua'i for much of yesterday, and crews there were ready in case they were needed.

"We're just kind of in wait-and-see mode," said Mary Daubert, Kaua'i County spokeswoman. "We're ready to take action if need be."

Last night, forecasters were monitoring conditions to determine whether an advisory was warranted for O'ahu.

The Waimea rockslide occurred around 6 a.m. on the main road leading into the valley, just past the security gate.

"It's been raining on and off for a while and the soil is soft for the valley," said Gail Chew, Waimea Valley interim executive director. "The land was softened and the rocks fell down."

The valley will be closed until the debris is cleared, which will depend on a report by an environmental assessment company that reviewed the damage yesterday, Chew said.

Some security guards and two gardeners were on duty when seven to 10 large boulders and several smaller ones fell from the hillside next to the road that leads into the valley, Chew said.