New Coast Guard cutter calls Honolulu home

The second of three new Coast Guard cutters to be stationed in Hawaii arrived Sunday, strengthening the capabilities for search and rescue operations around Hawaii.

The cutter Joseph Gerczak sailed into Honolulu Harbor after completing a 42-day voyage from Key West, Fla., where it was delivered by the shipbuilder in November.

The cutter is one of 58 fast-response cutters the Coast Guard is acquiring to replace the 1980s-era, 110-foot Island- class patrol boats. The 154-foot cutters are designed for search and rescue missions; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction; port, waterway and coastal security; and national defense, the Coast Guard said.

They excel at patrolling coastal regions and feature advanced control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance gear. The vessels can also launch and recover small boats from the stern.

The Coast Guard plans to have three fast-response cutters stationed in Honolulu by the spring of 2019. The sister ship Oliver Berry arrived in September.

A commissioning ceremony for the Gerczak is scheduled for March 9.

Kauai

Flood warning closes highway

Kuhio Highway was closed in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge until further notice Sunday due to a flash flood warning for Kauai.

The Red Cross opened a shelter for displaced residents at Hanalei Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Serv­ice extended a flash flood watch for Kauai, Niihau and Oahu at least through this afternoon due to heavy rain.

The watch was also widened to cover Maui County, starting Sunday evening and lasting until this afternoon. Flash flooding will be possible on Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Maui through today, the weather service said.

In the 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m. Sunday, the highest rainfall totals on Kauai were at Wailua Ditch, 9.17 inches; Kapahi, 7.86; Anahola, 7.73; Wailua, 7.54; Mount Waialeale, 5.95; Lihue Airport, 5.36; and Waialae, 5.29.