‘Light rain’ causes few flooding issues

A band of clouds stretching from the Hawaiian Islands to the West Coast continued to drop a steady rain over Maui and Oahu on Thursday, prompting city workers to clear the mouth of a stream for the second day in a row.

The National Weather Service said the winter rainfall might continue today, particularly in windward and mauka areas, but was not expected to cause serious flooding.

"It’s been pretty much a steady light rain," National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Burke said. "Most streams can handle it."

Winds were expected to increase to 20-25 mph from 15-20 mph from today through Saturday.

An Oahu forest gauge recorded 6.5 inches of rain in a 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Using shovels, city workers cleared the mouth of Niu Valley Stream at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday due to high water.

City lifeguards and workers, along with volunteers, on Wednesday helped to quickly dig a channel through a sand berm to release stream water at the North Shore’s Wai­mea Valley, where the stream had spread onto roadways.

About 100 visitors and 30 Wai­mea Valley workers evacuated the area at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Water in the stream backed up because high waves had pushed sand higher along a section of beach, blocking the stream mouth.

The nonprofit Wai­mea Valley cultural sites and botanical garden were reopened to visitors Thursday.

"Right now all the streams are flowing fine," Wai­mea Valley Executive Director Richard Pezzulo said.

City spokesman Johnny Bannon said the city inspects and clears drainage areas on Oahu as needed.

Waimea Valley resident caretaker Randal Hoo­pai said the water flooded his carport and back room of his home but caused no serious damage.

Hoopai, who has lived in his house for 18 years, said flooding occurs regularly due to the stream water backing up from the sandbar. He said the worst flooding he recalled was in 2008 when there was a rapid flood.