Oahu under brown water advisory, zoo closed as rain soaks island

Maui County and Hawaii island are under a flash flood watch today and Thursday, and Oahu remains under a brown water advisory after heavy rains drenched the islands.

City officials closed the Honolulu Zoo and the West Loch Golf Course today because of the rain.

A flood advisory for Oahu expired at about 2 p.m. as the showers that had soaked the island since early this morning moved east. Still, the heavy rains led city officials to issue a brown water advisory for the entire island.

”Heavy rain has resulted in storm-water runoff entering into coastal waters. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris,” the city advisory said.

Unsettled weather is expected to prevail over most of the state in the next few days as an area of low pressure moves closer. A drying trend is expected for Kauai and Oahu Thursday and Friday, just in time for the weekend.

Vog levels remain in check, with air quality rated as good today, according to airnow.gov, using data from the state Department of Health.

The flash flood watch for Maui County and Hawaii island is in effect until Thursday afternoon.

“A band of heavy showers over Molokai will move east slowly, likely bringing flooding rains to Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Kahoolawe through Thursday afternoon,” forecasters said this afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu also issued a wind advisory for the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa above 12,000 feet through 6 p.m. Thursday. Southwest winds up to 50 mph with localized gusts over 60 mph, are expected, forecasters said.

“Winds this strong can walking difficult and can forcefully slam open doors,” the advisory said. “The winds may make steering difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles.”

Forecasters said the public should consider postponing travel to the summits until conditions improve.