Flash Flood Warning for Maui, Roads Flooded in Hāna

File photo (10.4.16) by Wendy Osher.

Update: (7:44 a.m., 3.15.18) 

The Flash Flood Warning for the Island of Maui is Cancelled as of 7:44 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

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The National Weather Service has EXTENDED the FLASH FLOOD WARNING for MAUI ISLAND now in effect until 8 a.m.

After some 13 hours of continuous rain over the east end of Maui, forecasters with the NWS say there are signs that this event is coming to an end.

Hāna Airport recorded 6.29 inches of rain in a 24 hour period ending at 4:30 a.m. More than 4 inches of that fell in the past 12 hours.

ʻOheʻo Gulch has started to trend lower but remains swollen. Due to the extended length of the rains, it will take a few hours for the water to recede. Therefore the flash flood warning is extended for another three hours.

Any more flare ups will prolong the warning. Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku and Hāna.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring or will develop quickly. This warning may be extended if flash flooding persists.

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The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 2:45 a.m.

At 11:45 p.m., weather radar indicated that rainfall rates up to 5 inches an hour were occurring in the easternmost portion of Maui, especially over the slopes above Kaupō and Kīpahulu. ʻOheʻo Gulch stream has also risen above the critical flood stage and could continue to rise. In the Hāna area, Uakea Road near Hāna Highway at Keawe Street is now open, however, ʻUlaino Road at Kahanu Gardens is closed due to high volume of water, and so is Haneoʻo Street at Koki Beach.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku and Hāna.

Below are road condition updates as of 9:45 p.m.

Uakea Road (closed at Hāna Highway and Keawe street) – open

Hāna Highway at Mill Street – water has receded – this area is open to traffic

Haneoʻo Street at Koki Beach (Road closed high water volume flowing on the road)Waikoloa Road (High water road closure as Kawaipapa Stream is Flowing)

ʻUlaino Road (High water road closure at Kahanu Gardens)

Officers are continuing to try and make checks towards Koali but so far have seen water flowing over the road at MM 49 on Hāna Highway past Haneoʻo Road. This area is passable in SUV or truck only.

Lastly, There is a large amount of water flowing down from the pasture onto Hāna Highway at Pāʻaini Mai Park (Closer or intersection with Kauiki Street). The road is still passable but only one lane at a time due to heavy ponding.

Crews continue to monitor this event.

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Flash Flood WARNING extended for Maui Until 9 p.m.

At 5:40 p.m., radar showed heavy rainfall continuing over east Maui between Nāhiku and Kīpahulu. The area of heavy rain has been nearly stationary. The Maui Emergency Management Agency reported that ʻUlaino Road, Haneoʻo Street, Waikoloa Road, and Uakea Road remain closed due to flooding.

Below are the various areas of Hāna Highway – 360 in Hāna Town that are closed.

• Uakea Road (closed at Hana Highway and Keawe street)
• Hāna Highway at Mill Street (Road closed both directions in and out of Hāna as large volume of water flowing over the road)
• Haneoʻo Street at Koki Beach (Road closed high water volume flowing on the road)
• Waikoloa Road (High water road closure as Kawaipapa Stream is Flowing)
• ʻUlaino Road (High water road closure at Kahanu Gardens)
• Maui County officials say officers are continuing to try and make checks towards Koali but so far have seen water flowing over the road at MM 49 on Hāna Highway past Haneoʻo Road. This area is passable in SUV or truck only.
• Lastly, there is a large amount of water flowing down from the pasture onto Hāna Highway at Pāʻaini Mai Park (Closer or intersection with Kauiki Street). The road is still passable but only one lane at a time due to heavy ponding.

County officials will continue to monitor this event and report back when the rains have subsided and the roads are open.

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The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui, in effect until 6 p.m. March 14, 2018.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring or will develop quickly.

At 3:02 p.m., the Maui Emergency Management Agency reported the closing of Uakea Road, Waikoloa Road, and Makalae Road off the Hāna Highway. Rainfall at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour has persisted for more than an hour over east Maui from Nāhiku to Kīpahulu.

The Flash Flood Warning may be extended if flash flooding persists.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Keʻanae, Nāhiku and Hāna.

Precautionary Measures: A Flash Flood Warning means Flash Flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and low lying areas. Move to higher ground now, do not cross flat flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn Around… Don’t Drown.

Maui County Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio for any updates. NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather internet services can be found here.