Waikane resident Ruben Villanueva spent Monday morning trudging through sludge, raking up tree branches and debris on his property in the aftermath of the overflow of Waikane Stream.

“It’s bad,” said Villanueva as he stood on the muddy front section of the 1-acre property he leases from the state. The stream waters inundated about half of the property. “It’s super bad this year. It’s the worst. It’s almost like a swimming pool.”

For decades, stream waters overtopping the banks onto neighboring properties and Kamehameha Highway have been a recurring problem. Affected residents say nothing is being done to clear the stream of debris.

The flooding Sunday night not only affected area residents, but hundreds of motorists who were turned around when the highway was closed between Waiahole Valley Road and the Waikane Store.

The National Weather Service forecast more rain with some localized heavy showers through Wednesday in the afternoon hours. Meteorologist Bob Burke said increased showers are likely across the islands Thursday through Saturday.

A high-surf advisory for southern and eastern shores for all islands is also in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday as Tropical Storm Jimena plods north of the chain. At 5 p.m. Monday the center of Jimena was 570 miles northeast of Honolulu and moving west-northwest at 7 mph. Sustained winds were 45 mph.

Heat and humidity once again teamed up Monday to make the weather uncomfortable.

In Hilo the high temperature of 90 degrees tied the record for the date set in 1976. It was the sixth day this month that the high temperature in Hilo set a record or tied it.

Samuel Pacyau, visiting from Las Vegas, stopped by his family’s home near Waikane Stream with his daughter Monday to help clean up the property. The front yard was caked with mud, but the house was spared any damage.

“It’s been getting worse,” said Pacyau, who grew up in the neighborhood.

He said the stream is poorly maintained. “It’s not getting cleaned.”

His daughter, Marinda, said, “It’s just feels like the cleanup ends up on the back burner.”

Waikane Stream is jointly owned by the city and state. Portions of the stream have been cleared in the past, but the problem of clogged debris persists.

Every time a new administration steps in, Pacyau said, officials talk to residents and conduct a site inspection. Then, “nothing happens,” he said. “Enough with sending people out. Do something.”

Monday morning, tree branches were still wedged between metal guardrails at the bridge, carried by water that covered the roadway Sunday night to the depth of a foot.

Pacyau said he feels particularly sorry for the detoured motorists. Getting from Waikane to Kaaawa, the next community north, via the H-3 freeway and Central Oahu requires a drive of about 65 to 70 miles.

“Every person that passes feel the same way,” said Pacyau, gesturing at passing drivers, who took in the post-deluge mess. “Just fix ’em.”