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Tuesday, April 23, 2024 75° Today's Paper


Storm soaks isle, upends tent at KCC, roofs, trees

William Cole
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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

A man walked along Waialae Avenue in stormy conditions Saturday.

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

University of Hawaii students Erin King, left, and Jonathan Ibanez prepared to cross 8th Avenue Saturday in Kaimuki. The two had been walking the neighborhood to promote the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on April 8.

Oahu saw several hours of heavy rain Saturday that set a record, swamped parks and streets, and toppled a 40-by-100-foot tent over seating at Kapiolani Community College, causing injuries.

“Please leave the tent area and move toward the building,” an announcer said over the public address system before wind and rain collapsed the tent on the campus’ Great Lawn during a Honolulu District Science Fair event.

The Honolulu Fire Department said several minors were treated before they were transferred to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. Paramedics evaluated and treated five girls ages 12 and 13. Most were reported in stable condition.

Honolulu police closed Diamond Head Road in both directions between Diamond Head lookout and Coconut Avenue due to fallen debris. County officials reported a landslide.

Record rainfall was recorded at Honolulu Airport. A “highly unusual” 5.03 inches had fallen as of 4:45 p.m., a record for Feb. 11, said National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Birchard. It was the sixth-highest February rainfall total.

At 1:24 p.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rainfall at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour and thunderstorms over Honolulu, the southeastern Koolau mountains and Oahu’s windward coast.

As of 8 p.m., the Honolulu Fire Department had responded to 31 weather-related incidents, including 18 “water evacuations,” two blown roofs, eight downed trees and three electrical calls.

Some sports were canceled. State boys soccer postponed the Division I and II championship matches at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex, the University of Hawaii canceled its alumni baseball game at Les Murakami Stadium, and UH softball canceled all five games of the final day of the Paradise Classic at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

The Ewa and West Loch golf courses were closed, and play was suspended at the Ted Makalena and Pali golf courses, city officials said.

The Honolulu Zoo was also closed due to the weather.

A brown-water advisory was issued by the state Health Department for Oahu, with the public advised to stay out of flood waters.

Isolated showers were expected after midnight on Oahu, with Sunday expected to be sunny with isolated windward and mauka showers in the morning, the National Weather Service said.

6 responses to “Storm soaks isle, upends tent at KCC, roofs, trees”

  1. manakuke says:

    Ack, heavy rain. At least it is warm —- it is fresh water too.

  2. allie says:

    scary weather

  3. eyoshida says:

    Wow, crazy weather yesterday, But today looks great.

  4. wrightj says:

    Kind of like the 40 day event in Feb.-Mar. 2006; anyone need a car wash?

  5. popolo says:

    back to normal

  6. gmejk says:

    What a storm!

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