Molokai House Flooded, East Side of Island Soaked

Kawela Stream Area, Molokai. Photo courtesy, Robert Stephenson.

By Wendy Osher

Emergency crews were called to assist a Molokai couple early this morning when they awoke to find their home flooded with water almost to their knees.

Crews from the Pukoo Fire Station on Molokai were called to the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m. and assisted the homeowners in securing their possessions.

The flooded residence was located at 661 Kamehameha V Highway (Hwy 450), on the east end of the island, where a flood warning was in effect overnight, and a flood advisory was issued through this afternoon.

Kawela Stream Area, Molokai. Photo courtesy, Robert Stephenson.

Other properties in the area fared better because they were built off the ground, according to Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Later in the morning, at 9:54 a.m., radar showed heavy rain across eastern Molokai, with a rapid rise in water reported at the Halawa stream gauge on the east side of the island.

The rains temporarily made parts of the Kamehamaeha V Highway impassable at mile markers 5, 10, 11, and 14 overnight.  By around 6:30 this morning, crews were still working to clear debris from the area near mp-11.

The heavy rains over Molokai also forced the closure of Molokai’s Kilohana school for the day.

*** For the latest Maui County weather updates for today, click on the following LINK.

Maui Fire Department personnel looking at flooded home at 661 Kam V Highway on Molokai 2. Photo by Maui Fire Department fire fighter Kahiwa McVay.

Maui Fire Department personnel looking at flooded home at 661 Kam V Highway on Molokai. Photo by Maui Fire Department fire fighter Kahiwa McVay.

Kawela Stream Area, Molokai. Photo courtesy, Robert Stephenson.

Kawela Stream Area, Molokai. Photo courtesy, Robert Stephenson.