Powerful, gusty winds across the islands Tuesday and Wednesday downed power lines, triggered electrical outages, blew away roofs, forced road closures and caused a tree limb to fall and kill a golfer.
A 55-year-old man visiting from Japan with his family died Wednesday after being struck in the head by a tree branch while golfing on the first tee of Leilehua Golf Course, an Army facility in Wahiawa, said police and Emergency Services Department officials.
U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii issued a written statement that the civilian golfer was struck about 11:20 a.m. "reportedly by a falling tree branch." Golf course staff immediately called 911, and the injured man was taken by ambulance to Wahiawa General Hospital.
The golf course was closed until further notice, and the matter is being investigated, the Army said.
Winds surged ahead and behind a cold front that lasted from Tuesday evening until Wednesday, causing gusts in the 40- to 50-mph-plus range, said Tom Birchard, senior forecaster at the National Weather Service.
Weather service gauges clocked winds Tuesday at 54 mph in Waianae Valley and 45 mph in Kahuku. On Hawaii island summits, winds were howling at 80 mph to 100 mph Wednesday.
From 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Honolulu Fire Department received seven calls for blown roofs, six for fallen trees or tree branches and four downed power lines. Most were in Pearl City and Aiea, with other calls from Wahiawa and Nanakuli, said HFD Capt. Terry Seelig. On Tuesday between 10 and 11 p.m., fire crews responded to calls for one blown roof in Pearl City and four fallen trees.
A downed coconut tree broke a shark cage at Haleiwa Boat Harbor, a harbor employee said.
The winds began calming Wednesday night and diminishing today as cool temperatures dominate with lows in the 50s at lower elevations and in the 20s on the summits of Hawaii island. The summits experienced freezing rain, but no snow on Wednesday.
On Oahu, Hawaiian Electric Co. crews worked to restore power to customers from Waianae to Moiliili to Laie Wednesday.
Fallen trees and debris also closed a lane of Pali Highway early Wednesday morning. In Wahiawa, California Avenue was closed about noon due to downed power lines.
Kauai County closed Black Pot, Pine Trees and Haena parks on the north shore because of severe winds.
On Maui, Piilani Highway was closed due to flooding on Wednesday morning.
Kulani Road in Mountain View on Hawaii island was closed because of runoff and a downed tree and power pole.
Because of high winds at the summit of Haleakala National Park, large vehicles were not permitted Wednesday afternoon.
Another front is expected to affect the islands Saturday night and Sunday, potentially causing clouds and showers from the north, but should not pose a problem for the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
