East Maui highway closes after heavy rain

UPDATE: 8:20 p.m

The flood advisory for much of Maui has been extended until 10:30 p.m. with some windward areas having received 7 inches of rain in 24 hours, the National Weather Service said.

“At 6:52 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy showers continuously developing over the lower slopes and coast of windward Haleakala. Persistent rainfall rates near 1 inch per hour are expected to continue, with occasional rain bursts producing rates near 2 inches per hour. Some areas in windward Maui have received close to 7 inches of rain over the past 24 hours, and stream levels are elevated.

The advisory includes Keanae, Haliimaile, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Nahiku, Pauwela, Paia, Hana and Haleakala National Park.

A separate advisory for east Hawaii island also was extended until 11 p.m.

Radar and rain gauges this evening “indicated heavy rain over the Hilo and Puna districts. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” the weather service said.

The Big Island advisory covers Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Mountain View, Keaau, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Orchidlands Estates, Volcano, Pepeekeo, Honomu, Hakalau, Pahoa, Ninole, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Laupahoehoe, Ookala and Paauilo.

6:10 p.m.

The flood advisory for Hawaii island has been extended until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

“At 5:16 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain over the Hilo and Puna districts,” the advisory said. “Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”

The advisory covers Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Mountain View, Keaau, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Orchidlands Estates, Volcano, Pepeekeo, Honomu, Hakalau, Pahoa, Ninole, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Laupahoehoe, Ookala and Paauilo.

The advisory for east Maui remains in effect until 7:30 p.m.

4:11 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory for Maui until 7:30 p.m. today.

Rain was detected falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour near the Hana area. Additional rainfall is forecasted during the next several hours over east Maui.

According to the advisory, some locations that will experience flooding include Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Keanae, Haliimaile, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Nahiku, Haiku-Pauwela, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Pauwela, Paia, Makena, Puunene, Hana and Haleakala National Park.

Rain is expected to continue pouring over the next several hours over the Haleakala slopes.

3:03 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island until 6 p.m., according to a tweet from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

The advisory includes Hamakua, Hilo and Puna districts through this evening. A flood advisory means local flooding can occur.

Heavy rain was falling at one to two inches per hour over the Hilo and Puna areas.

The advisory for the leeward areas of Hawaii island has been canceled.

1:55 p.m.

The east side of Maui and the west side of Hawaii island are under flood advisories this afternoon as heavy rain continues to fall on the islands.

The National Weather Service said the Maui advisory is in effect until 4:30 p.m. and covers Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Keanae, Haliimaile, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Nahiku, Haiku-Pauwela, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Pauwela, Paia, Makena, Puunene, Hana and Haleakala National Park.

“At 1:27 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the slopes of Haleakala with the highest rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour over Makawao,” the weather service said. “Additional rainfall is expected over east Maui through the next several hours.”

Heavy rain this morning led to landslides and road damage that closed a large swatch of Pi’ilani Highway in East Maui. (See below.)

Forecasters also issued a flood advisory for Hawaii County until 4 p.m., covering Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Honaunau, Kealakekua, Kainaliu, Honalo, Holualoa, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu, Hawaiian Ocean View, Puako, Kona International Airport, Milolii, Waikii, Hawaii Volcanoes Park Kahuku Unit, Waikoloa Beach and Mauna Lani.

“At 12:59 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the Leeward Big Island slopes,” forecasters said. “Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

A large stretch of Pi’ilani Highway in East Maui has been closed after heavy rainfall triggered landslides and road damage this morning.

Maui County officials said multiple sections of the highway between mile markers 19 in Kahikinui and mile marker 39 in Kipahulu are affected.

The affected roads will remain closed until further notice while county Department of Public Works crews respond.

Officials said other road closures “may be necessary and extend roadway closures as the department receives reports of several significant and additional damage and washouts along the highway.”

Mile marker 19 is just past the Auwahi Wind turbines near Ulupalakua, and mile marker 39 is at the Lelekea culvert crossing in Kipahulu, they said. Motorists are advised to avoid the affected road closure areas.

The National Weather Service said this morning that isolated thunderstorms are expected over the Big Island and surrounding coastal waters today and possibly into Wednesday.

The forecast for the week also calls for breezy tradewinds into the weekend.