Showers sock islands

Heavy rain flooded roads, knocked out power and kept Civil Defense personnel and first responders hopping for most of the day on Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service, the wet weather was caused by a cold upper-level trough and moist air mass over the state.

Flash flood warnings for Oahu and Kauai were extended until 11:30 p.m. Saturday. A flash flood watch for Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Maui was scheduled to expire at 6 p.m. today.

The weather service recorded rain rates of as much as 2 inches per hour in Windward Oahu and the Koolau Mountains. Waiahole Stream rose more than 11 feet during the peak of the downpour in midafternoon.

The Department of Emergency Management reported floodwaters as deep as 1.5 feet on Kamehameha Highway and Waihee Road.

Also, Honolulu Electric Co. crews were dispatched to Laie at about 8:30 p.m. to repair downed power lines near the Polynesian Cultural Center.

On Kauai, rising waters prompted the closing of Kuhio Highway in Hanalei. Hanalei Bridge was also closed due to water crossing the roadway. A flooded culvert was also reported on Puuwai Road in Kalaheo.

The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at Hanalei Elementary School for those displaced.

On Maui, a power outage prompted the closure of Maui Community College.

The bad weather kept firefighters and lifeguards busy through the afternoon.

Honolulu Fire Department rescue workers responded to a 12:30 p.m. call to assist a group of hikers in Moanalua Valley.

HFD spokesman Capt. Tyler Chan said the hikers called for help at about 12:30 p.m. when one of them became separated. The two men and one woman eventually found each other and were able to hike out on their own at 7:20 p.m., Chan said.

Another trio of hikers had to spend the night near Crouching Lion in Kaaawa because a rescue crew was unable to reach them after they called for help at about 4:45 p.m., Chan said. Chan said the hikers sounded scared and might have underestimated the trail before heading out. A crew was expected to attempt to locate the group at first light today.

At about 4 p.m., firefighters were called to assist a group of 12 children who were caught in a fast-moving Kalihi stream. Nine made it out on their own; firefighters helped the other three.

Fire crews also responded to three people pinned in cars throughout the day, Chan added.

Ocean Safety personnel responded to numerous weather-related situations, including rescuing a kayaker who ran into trouble near the Mokulua islands.

Northeasterly winds and more showers were expected to move south across the chain overnight. Wind and rain will diminish by midweek, according to the weather service.