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Maui remains under flood advisory; Oahu advisory canceled

UPDATE: 9:01 a.m.

The flood advisory issued this morning for Oahu has been canceled, according to the National Weather Service.

A separate advisory remains in effect, however, for the island of Maui until 11:15 a.m.

According to the NWS, rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour shortly after 8 a.m., with additional rain expected throughout the morning. Locations affected include Kahului, Kapalua, Honokohau, Puunene, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Makawao, Wailuku, Waiehu, Haiku-Pauwela and Waihee.

7:35 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Oahu until 10 a.m. today as heavy rain moves over Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo.

While the showers are expected to clear by 8 a.m., the ground remains saturated throughout East Honolulu and Windward Oahu due to earlier rain.

Kamehameha Highway was closed between Waikane Store and Waiahole Poi Factory after Waikane Stream surged past the 11-foot mark overnight, although waters are expected to recede this morning.

Locations affected by this advisory include Ahuimanu, Waikane, Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo, Waiahole, Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Manoa, Palolo and Kalihi.

7:15 a.m.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Niihau, due to a combination of strong winds and a large swell heading towards the islands from the north.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu reports that waves of up to 12 to 18 feet could impact the north and west facing shores of Kauai, Molokai and Niihau, along with north facing shores on Oahu and Maui. Waves from 8 to 12 feet are also expected along west facing shores of Oahu.

A flood advisory has also been issued for the island of Molokai until 9:30 a.m. According to the NWS, rain was falling at 1 to 2 inches per hour as of 6:32 a.m. this morning, causing the waters of Halawa Stream and other east Molokai streams to rise to potentially hazardous levels.

Persistent rain is expected for the next few hours; locations in the advisory include Pukoo, Halawa Valley, Ualapue, Kamalo and Kalaupapa National Park.

The flash flood warning issued overnight for Oahu is no longer in effect.

1:35 a.m.

A flash flood warning for Oahu remains in effect until 2:15 a.m.

“At 12:42 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain was decreasing across the warned area. However, Honolulu police have closed Kamehameha Highway between Waikane Store and Waiahole Poi Factory due to high water and debris,” weather officials said.

Mokapu Boulevard and Kapaa Quarry Road also remain closed due to high water.

11:30 p.m. Friday

A flash flood warning is in effect for Oahu until 2:15 a.m.

“At 11:22 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Ahuimanu. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly,” weather officials said.

Locations in the warning include Ahuimanu, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Waimanalo, Waiahole,Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, and Kaaawa.

10:50 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 1:15 a.m. Saturday.

“At 10:20 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain across northern portions of Oahu windward slopes,” weather officials said. “This area will likely spread southward over the next few hours.”

Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Hauula, Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Laie and Kahuku.

9:15 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been canceled this evening for Windward Oahu and a flood advisory has been canceled for Kauai.

But wet weather could linger through the weekend. The National Weather Service said a weak front near Kauai will move down the island chain tonight through Sunday.

6:30 p.m.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Windward Oahu from Ahuimanu to Kahuku until 9:15 p.m.

“Rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are occurring,” the National Weather Service said. “Elevated streams from recent heavy rainfall in the area could rise rapidly and lead to overflow onto Kamehameha Highway.”

Locations in the warning include Ahuimanu, Waikane, Hauula, Laie, Waiahole, Punaluu, Kahaluu and Kaaawa.

There’s also a flood advisory in effect for Kauai until 9:30 p.m.

Weather officials reported rain falling at rates up to 2 inches per hour. Water levels in the Hanalei and Halaulani streams are rising quickly.

Locations in the advisory include Lihue, Kilauea, Anahola, Mana, Hanalei, Na Pali State Park, Omao, Barking Sands, Wainiha, North Fork Wailua Trails, Moloaa and Waimea.

3:15 p.m.

Kamehameha Highway has been reopened near Waikane Stream, police said.

The flash flood warning expired at about 10 a.m.

This morning, three vehicles were stuck in floodwaters in Waikane.

About 10 firefighters responded to the area near the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Waikane Valley Road shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Scot Seguirant said firefighters walked two drivers from separate vehicles away from the flooded area.

A good Samaritan in a truck rescued a driver from a third vehicle in the area.

Seguirant said floodwaters were about two feet deep at one point before the water subsided.

The vehicles were eventually cleared from the roadway.

No injuries were reported.

8:30 a.m.

Police have closed all lanes of Kamehameha Highway at the Waikane Stream due to flooding.

Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

7:45 a.m.

A new flash flood warning has been posted for Oahu as steady rain soaks Windward Oahu.

At 7:42 a.m., the Waikane Stream gauge showed a rapid rise in water level, according to weather officials at the National Weather Service. The stream is expected to overflow onto Kamehameha Highway. Heavy rain also continues from Waihee to Kahuku. The area of rainfall has been nearly stationary.

The flash flood warning is in effect through 10:45 a.m. today.

Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Ahuimanu, Waikane, Hauula, Laie, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Kahuku, Punaluu and Kaaawa.

A flood advisory is also in effect for Oahu through 10:15 a.m.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Ahuimanu, Hauula, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Laie, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Punaluu, Kaaawa and Kailua.

5:45 a.m.

A flash flood warning posted at 10:33 p.m. Thursday for Oahu was canceled at 12:30 a.m. today, but not before heavy rains caused flooding for part of the island.

“At 10:31 p.m., local law enforcement reported flash flooding near Waikane. Police reported 6 inches of water overflowing onto Kamehameha Highway and The Bus dispatch reported police had stopped traffic on the road,” weather officials said Thursday night.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

A flash flood warning that was issued for parts of Oahu until 9 p.m. has expired.

“At 5:54 p.m., a gage on Waiahole Stream showed a rapid rise in water level above the warning threshold,” the National Weather Service reported.

Locations in the warning included Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Waikane, Hauula, Laie, Waiahole, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Kaaawa and Kahuku.

Weather officials said today that a cold front to the northwest of the islands will strengthen as it moves towards the islands. It’s expected to reach Kauai by Friday morning and move down the island chain. The cold front is expected to push south of the Big Island on Sunday.

A flood advisory is now posted for the Big Island until 9:30 p.m.

“At 6:28 p.m., rain gage reports indicated heavy rain falling near Orchidlands Estates,” the National Weather Service reported. “The Mountainview gage reported rain was falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour.”

Locations in the advisory include Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Honomu, Mountain View and Papaikou.

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