PHOTOS: Strong Winds Down Tree on Puunene Ave.

Downed tree on Puunene Avenue 3/10/12. Courtesy Photo by Luana Kawaa.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 5:58 p.m. 3/10/12)

Puunene Avenue is open as of 03/10/12 at 5:58 p.m. The road was closed earlier this afternoon when a large tree fell, blocking both directions of travel.

(Posted: 3/10/12)

A large tree fell in Kahului Saturday afternoon, blocking both lanes of Puunene Avenue.

The incident was reported at 2 p.m. on Puunene Avenue between Wakea Avenue and West Kauai Street.  Maui police closed the road while crews worked to remove the tree.

A Wind Advisory was issued for Maui, Molokai and Kahoolawe until 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2012, with wind expected to be in the 30 to 50 mph range.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the pressure gradient between strong high pressure far northwest of the Islands and a trough of low pressure near Kauai will bring strong winds over the Island chain as the trough moves away from the state.

The following series of photos was captured by our Maui Now readers.

Downed tree on Puunene Avenue. Courtesy photo by Maui Now reader "hawaiiansupaman".

Downed tree on Puunene Avenue. Courtesy photo by Toni Marie Kalama.

Downed tree on Puunene Avenue. Courtesy photo by Pili Kaninau.

Downed tree on Puunene Avenue. Courtesy photo by Pili Kaninau.