All islands remain under flash flood watch

A flash flood watch remains in effect through this afternoon for the Hawaiian Islands as a strong atmospheric trough generates a moist and unstable air mass. Thunderstorms are possible, the National Weather Service said.

Some streams and normally dry gulches are expected to run high in heavy rain and could quickly overflow their banks, the weather service warned Tuesday.

Flood advisories were issued for Kauai and East Maui but were suspended Tuesday night.

The weather service said that after 4 p.m. heavy rain continued to fall at rates of up to 2 inches per hour from Hanapepe to Omao, Kauai.

The state Department of Education said Hanalei School was closed due to the inclement weather and unpredictable river levels. School bus service from Haena to Hanalei was also shut down Tuesday, affecting students who attend Kapaa Middle and High schools.

On Maui, heavy rain was falling over the windward and southeastern slopes of Haleakala, with Nahiku and Huelo experiencing some of the heaviest rainfall.

In addition, a winter storm warning was in effect until at least 6 p.m. today for Big Island summits, with as much as 6 inches of snow expected.

HAWAII ISLAND

Input on Mauna Kea sought

EnVision Maunakea, formed in 2015 as a grass-roots effort to examine the mountain’s future, has chosen 10 members of its volunteer committee that will be gathering input from interested parties.

The members of the group’s Hui Hoolohe committee are Rob Pacheco, Noe Kalipi, Michael Chun, Kanoa Withington, Kuulei Bezilla, Don Mitchell, Kihei Seto, Grant Hill, Reggie Lee and Bobby Hickcox, the group announced in a news release Monday.

“The Hui Hoolohe is responsible for EnVision Maunakea’s efforts to gather a wide range of perspectives on the future of the mountain to inform policy and regulatory actions that will deeply impact Mauna Kea,” the news release said.

EnVision Maunakea was organized by Hawaii island’s Friends of the Future, a nonprofit.

“We are honored to have these community members step forward to implement the EnVision Maunakea Aha Kuka sessions in the coming months as we strive to collect a broad range of hopes and visions for the future of Mauna Kea,” said Susan Maddox of Friends of the Future.

MAUI

Man charged in mall assault

WAILUKU >> A man is suspected of biting off the fingertip of a mall security guard.

The guard was responding to a Wednesday report of an intoxicated and hostile man at a fast-food restaurant.

A Maui Mall official said the man punched the guard in the head twice and bit her finger.

Alex Hand has been charged with first-degree assault.

The Maui News reported that police say Hand told authorities he did not fight with the guard and left when he was asked to do so.

Officials have not identified the guard.

Hospital doctors could not reattach her fingertip.